Projected pay for Childcare Workers (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $34,980 → in 3 years $38,200 → in 5 years $40,500 → in 10 years $46,800 (10-year range $40,300–$54,300). The model assumes pay growth of +2.9% per year.
$34,980
Now 2026
$38,200
In 3 yrs 2029
$35,200–$41,500
$40,500
In 5 yrs 2031
$36,500–$45,100
$46,800
In 10 yrs 2036
$40,300–$54,300
What drives the annual growth rate
Base wage growth +3.0%Labor demand -0.3%AI impact +0.26%Total +2.9% / yr
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Childcare Workers
48/100
★★☆☆☆
Average · ranked #540 of all U.S. occupations
Pay level
2 pts
AI resistance
84 pts
Entry barrier
20 pts
Annual openings
97 pts
Projected growth
20 pts
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Labor demand for Childcare Workers
Employment
519K
BLS OEWS
Projected employment
990K
2025–35
Projected change
−2.0%
ranked #650 for growth
Annual openings
150K
growth + replacement needs
Demand score
Average
58/100
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Work experience
None
in a related occupation
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families.
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children.
All community and social service specialists not listed separately.
$56,730
71/100
15%
Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.