Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResumeSkillsWhat They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesJob Outlook

Compare

Part Time jobsEntry Level jobsFull Time jobs

Child care aide vs child care teacher

The differences between child care aides and child care teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a child care aide has an average salary of $29,192, which is higher than the $26,036 average annual salary of a child care teacher.

The top three skills for a child care aide include child care, CPR and behavior management. The most important skills for a child care teacher are child care, child development, and CPR.

Child care aide vs child care teacher overview

Child Care AideChild Care Teacher
Yearly salary$29,192$26,036
Hourly rate$14.03$12.52
Growth rate6%4%
Number of jobs168,475139,010
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age3744
Years of experience2-

What does a child care aide do?

A Child Care Aide is primarily in charge of children's care and personal needs. They typically work at schools, offices, and even in residential areas. Their responsibilities include meeting the parents to identify the extent of the children's needs, developing care plans, monitoring the children's behavior, and updating parents regularly. They also perform various tasks depending on the children's age and needs, such as changing diapers, dressing, preparing meals and snacks, feeding, and toilet assistance. Moreover, a Child Care Aide must ensure a safe and healthy environment for children.

What does a child care teacher do?

A child care teacher is responsible for educating young learners, observing their personal and social behaviors. They also prepare engaging and fun activities for the children, ensuring their safety and security. Child care teachers assist the children's daily activities and provide progress reports and updates to the children's parents for any concerns and support needed. They also maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities by adhering to the safety standards and protocols. A child care teacher must have excellent communication and organizational skills and implement learning methods that would fit the curriculum.

Child care aide vs child care teacher salary

Child care aides and child care teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Child Care AideChild Care Teacher
Average salary$29,192$26,036
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $39,000Between $14,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityMercer Island, WABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyUniv Of Colorado-Colorado SpgsGoogle
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between child care aide and child care teacher education

There are a few differences between a child care aide and a child care teacher in terms of educational background:

Child Care AideChild Care Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 43%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorPsychologyEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachDuke University

Child care aide vs child care teacher demographics

Here are the differences between child care aides' and child care teachers' demographics:

Child Care AideChild Care Teacher
Average age3744
Gender ratioMale, 14.1% Female, 85.9%Male, 10.8% Female, 89.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.3% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 57.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage4%6%

Differences between child care aide and child care teacher duties and responsibilities

Child care aide example responsibilities.

  • Work with the children with ABC's and numbers.
  • Help with ABC's and numbers on part-time schedule.
  • Provide activities of daily living for a child with autism.
  • Purchase and order groceries and household supplies to keep kitchen and household stock.
  • Provide individual needs prescribe in IEP and direct by teacher for students with autism.
  • Coordinate recovery at nursing facilities, and rehabilitation treatment in the home setting, through VNA.
    • Show more

Child care teacher example responsibilities.

  • Maintain annual CPR training certificate.
  • Perform simple first aid and CPR in emergencies.
  • Coordinate activities for and supervise Pre-K after school students.
  • Promote language development skills through reading and storytelling.
  • Facilitate student learning by implementing IEP adaptations and strategies.
  • Operate van safely when driving residents, adhering to reasonable cleanliness standards and notifying appropriate personnel of maintenance concerns.
    • Show more

Child care aide vs child care teacher skills

Common child care aide skills
  • Child Care, 37%
  • CPR, 29%
  • Behavior Management, 6%
  • Child Development, 5%
  • Foster Care, 4%
  • First Aid Training, 4%
Common child care teacher skills
  • Child Care, 34%
  • Child Development, 16%
  • CPR, 14%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Kids, 7%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%

Child Care Aide vs. similar jobs

Child Care Aide related careers

Child Care Aide related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse personal care and attendants jobs