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Child care worker vs child care teacher

The differences between child care workers and child care teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a child care worker has an average salary of $31,284, which is higher than the $26,036 average annual salary of a child care teacher.

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 teacher are child care, child development, and CPR.

Child care worker vs child care teacher overview

Child Care WorkerChild Care Teacher
Yearly salary$31,284$26,036
Hourly rate$15.04$12.52
Growth rate6%4%
Number of jobs136,963139,010
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age3744
Years of experience2-

What does a child care worker do?

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.

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 worker vs child care teacher salary

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

Child Care WorkerChild Care Teacher
Average salary$31,284$26,036
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $49,000Between $14,000 And $45,000
Highest paying CityWorcester, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkGoogle
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between child care worker and child care teacher education

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

Child Care WorkerChild Care Teacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorPsychologyEarly Childhood Education
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachDuke University

Child care worker vs child care teacher demographics

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

Child Care WorkerChild Care Teacher
Average age3744
Gender ratioMale, 21.1% Female, 78.9%Male, 10.8% Female, 89.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 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 worker and child care teacher duties and responsibilities

Child care worker example responsibilities.

  • Obtain certification in CPR to ensure minors would be properly resuscitate in an emergency.
  • Require to maintain continuing education in courses including passive restraint, standard first aid and CPR.
  • Complete accurate and timely documentation on kids' behavior as outlined by policy.
  • Create math, reading, bible, and art lessons.

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 worker vs child care teacher skills

Common child care worker skills
  • Child Care, 39%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Behavioral Issues, 8%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • TCI, 4%
Common child care teacher skills
  • Child Care, 34%
  • Child Development, 16%
  • CPR, 14%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Kids, 7%
  • Classroom Environment, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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