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The differences between child care associates and child care teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a child care associate has an average salary of $29,146, which is higher than the $26,036 average annual salary of a child care teacher.
The top three skills for a child care associate include kids, CPR and customer service. The most important skills for a child care teacher are child care, child development, and CPR.
| Child Care Associate | Child Care Teacher | |
| Yearly salary | $29,146 | $26,036 |
| Hourly rate | $14.01 | $12.52 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 74,279 | 139,010 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 2 | - |
A child care associate is primarily responsible for children's welfare and health care while their parents are away. Typically in a school setting, a child care associate monitors children's behavior while giving them tasks that enhance their academic and interpersonal skills, such as recreational games and coloring sessions. For younger learners, a child care associate may change diapers, prepare milk, and accompany them to the toilet. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to all the school's policies and regulations while ensuring a safe and healthy environment for the children.
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 associates and child care teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Child Care Associate | Child Care Teacher | |
| Average salary | $29,146 | $26,036 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $43,000 | Between $14,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | WRMA Incorporated | |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a child care associate and a child care teacher in terms of educational background:
| Child Care Associate | Child Care Teacher | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Early Childhood Education |
| Most common college | University of Virginia | Duke University |
Here are the differences between child care associates' and child care teachers' demographics:
| Child Care Associate | Child Care Teacher | |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.2% Female, 85.8% | Male, 10.8% Female, 89.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 21.9% Asian, 6.6% White, 56.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | 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 Percentage | 4% | 6% |