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The differences between child care associates and personal care workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a personal care worker has an average salary of $29,490, which is higher than the $29,146 average annual salary of a child care associate.
The top three skills for a child care associate include kids, CPR and customer service. The most important skills for a personal care worker are patients, home health, and good communication.
| Child Care Associate | Personal Care Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $29,146 | $29,490 |
| Hourly rate | $14.01 | $14.18 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 74,279 | 129,522 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 37 | 48 |
| 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 personal care worker is responsible for providing quality health care services for elders and disabled persons. Personal care workers are usually employed in a private household setting or a special healthcare institution, assisting patients with their daily activities, and monitoring their conditions. They update the patients' medical charts, administer medication from the physician's prescriptions, and manage their food intake. A personal care worker must be highly-organized, especially when attending to patients' needs, inquiries, and concerns.
Child care associates and personal care workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Child Care Associate | Personal Care Worker | |
| Average salary | $29,146 | $29,490 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $43,000 | Between $22,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Lynn, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | WRMA Incorporated | Tyson Foods |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between a child care associate and a personal care worker in terms of educational background:
| Child Care Associate | Personal Care Worker | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Business | Nursing |
| Most common college | University of Virginia | - |
Here are the differences between child care associates' and personal care workers' demographics:
| Child Care Associate | Personal Care Worker | |
| Average age | 37 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.2% Female, 85.8% | Male, 16.4% Female, 83.6% |
| 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, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 10.2% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 7% |