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The differences between child care workers and child care associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a child care worker and a child care associate. Additionally, a child care worker has an average salary of $31,284, which is higher than the $29,146 average annual salary of a child care associate.
The top three skills for a child care worker include child care, crisis intervention and behavioral issues. The most important skills for a child care associate are kids, CPR, and customer service.
| Child Care Worker | Child Care Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $31,284 | $29,146 |
| Hourly rate | $15.04 | $14.01 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 136,963 | 74,279 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A child care worker is responsible for providing care and supervision to children while the parents or guardians are away. A child care worker's duty may involve changing diapers and preparing milk for infants and toddlers, devise strategies or fun activities where children can learn, arrange schedules to fit their needs such as nap times, and prepare healthy meals and snacks. Aside from ensuring children's safety, a child care worker must also monitor any sign of emotional or developmental issues so it can be brought to the parents' attention as soon as possible.
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.
Child care workers and child care associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Child Care Worker | Child Care Associate | |
| Average salary | $31,284 | $29,146 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $49,000 | Between $19,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Worcester, MA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | WRMA Incorporated |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Education |
There are a few differences between a child care worker and a child care associate in terms of educational background:
| Child Care Worker | Child Care Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 44% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | University of Virginia |
Here are the differences between child care workers' and child care associates' demographics:
| Child Care Worker | Child Care Associate | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9% | Male, 14.2% Female, 85.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 6.8% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 4% | 4% |