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Interested in a career working with young children? Daycare centers employ child care professionals with varying levels of education, and the work they do with infants and toddlers is becoming increasingly more valued, explains Angela Terry, executive director at Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center in Brooklyn, New York.
“Early childhood educators play a critical role in shaping the lives of young children by providing them with the foundation they need for future success,” Terry says. “Furthermore, the demand for qualified early childhood education professionals is expected to grow in the coming years, creating more opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential.”
So, how much does a daycare worker make today? Here, experts weigh in on the top factors that affect daycare wages so you can better understand what to expect, plus a look at how they compare to pay rates for other child care jobs.
Key takeaways
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024, daycare workers earned an average rate of $14.56 an hour which equates to $30,000 annually.
- Daycare administrators average higher salaries which range from $35,000 to $70,000 since these roles demand more education and experience.
- A deeper understanding of the critical role early childhood professionals play in a child’s education is key to achieving higher salaries for daycare workers.
Average pay rates for daycare workers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2024, daycare workers earned an average rate of $14.56 an hour. This calculates to an average annual income of approximately $30,000. For those working in daycare center administrator roles, however, the average salary is much higher at an annual income of $62,640 or $30.12 per hour.
Both daycare positions have seen an increase in pay over the years, but not quickly nor consistently, explains Moti Gamburd, chief executive officer of CARE Homecare, a Los Angeles-based in-home care provider, who has studied care-based compensation trends for more than 30 years. “Over the last decade, we’ve tracked a modest rise of $2 to $3 per hour, driven mostly by local wage laws rather than industry reform,” Gamburd says.
Caregiver burnout and high employee turnover rates across the caregiving industry have also made long-term pay improvements for daycare workers hard to sustain, he adds.
How much daycare workers make vs. other child care workers
On average, daycare workers employed in the U.S. make less per hour than a more generalized child care worker who earns $15.41 an hour according to the latest national data. This average pay rate reflects wages among not only daycare workers, but individuals employed by schools, private care providers, as well as nannies and babysitters.
The key to closing this pay gap? A deeper understanding of the benefits of daycare and the pivotal role early childhood professionals play in a child’s education, according to experts. “Early childhood educators are not merely babysitters; they are the architects of young minds,” says Terry. “As the importance of early childhood education continues to be recognized, salaries in the field are likely to rise, reflecting the valuable contributions of these professionals.”
“Early childhood educators are not merely babysitters; they are the architects of young minds. As the importance of early childhood education continues to be recognized, salaries in the field are likely to rise, reflecting the valuable contributions of these professionals.”
— Angela Terry, executive director at Bedford Stuyvesant Early Childhood Development Center in Brooklyn
Top factors that influence daycare worker salaries
The most important things to understand when it comes to figuring out how much money you can expect to make as a daycare worker are your qualifications, location and the type of setting in which you work, according to Terry. Here’s a closer look at each:
Education and experience
“Generally, individuals with higher education and more experience can expect to earn higher salaries,” Terry says. Entry-level daycare worker positions, which require only a highschool diploma or equivalent, typically earn around the national average of $30,000 a year. While professionals with a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience can expect to earn somewhere between $35,000 to $70,000, according to Terry.
Those with even higher levels of education, such as a master’s degree, can earn salaries at the higher end of this range, she adds. These types of roles are often administrative.
Specialized skills and training
“Obtaining a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or associate’s degree can boost wages by $1 to $3 per hour, especially in regulated facilities,” Gamburd says, who has implemented similar training-based wage increases for senior caregivers he employs. “Ongoing learning signals trustworthiness which translates into income.”
Additionally, professionals who specialize in specific areas, such as special education or bilingual education, may also command higher salaries, adds Terry.
Daycare location and setting
Daycare salaries tend to be higher in urban areas versus rural areas based on fluctuations in cost of living. “In cities like Los Angeles or New York, daycare workers can earn up to $35,000 depending on hours and certifications,” says Gamburd.
Wages are also higher in private child care centers compared to public or home-based child care options. This is typically due to smaller adult-to-child ratios and increased physical demands. Similarly, daycares serving children with language delays or special education needs tend to pay more as well, adds Gamburd.
Can you negotiate a higher salary as a daycare worker?
This depends on the type of organization you choose to work for, according to experts. For example, if you choose to work for a unionized daycare, negotiating a higher salary can be challenging.
“Unions typically negotiate wages and benefits on behalf of all their members creating a standardized pay structure that can be difficult to deviate from,” notes Terry. “While this ensures fairness and prevents discrimination, it also limits individual bargaining power.”
If you work for a privately-owned and operated daycare center, however, there is more room to negotiate your salary since it is not preset. In this situation, Gamburd recommends asking for a raise similarly to how you would in any other caregiving professions.
“Start with proof of your unique value, and mention difficult situations you’ve handled solo, like resolving parent disputes or leading transitions,” Gamburd says. “We encourage our caregivers to point to real moments where families noticed their impact. Confidence grows when your contribution is visible and tied to outcomes others care about.”
A final word on how much daycare workers make
The average salary for daycare workers in the U.S. falls between $30,000 and $35,000 annually depending on where you work. Daycare administrators average higher salaries across the board, however, which range from $35,000 to $70,000 because they generally require more education and experience.
While daycare worker salaries have increased slightly in the last decade, there continues to be a push for higher wages among industry experts. “By ensuring that childcare workers are adequately compensated, we can attract and retain talented individuals who are passionate about early childhood education,” points out Terry. “This, in turn, will lead to higher-quality care for our children, which will have a positive ripple effect on our society for generations to come.”
