The job market for childcare workers in the United States

There are currently an estimated 1,216,600 childcare workers in the United States. The childcare worker job market is expected to grow by 6.9% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are childcare workers?

CareerExplorer rates childcare workers with a B- employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 90,500 childcare workers. That number is based on 84,300 additional childcare workers, and the retirement of 6,200 existing childcare workers.

Are childcare workers in demand?

Many child care workers must be replaced each year, sustaining employment opportunities in the field. In addition, with the growing acceptance that pre-school education contributes significantly to a child’s success later in life, the proportion of children being cared for exclusively by parents or other relatives is likely to continue to decline. The number of government-funded and subsidized childcare programs is also projected to increase, due both to public demand and political will. Consequently, qualified applicants should have little trouble finding and keeping a job if they meet state licensing requirements. Concern about the safety and supervision of school-age children during before-and after- school hours should further increase demand for childcare workers. While a high-school diploma is the most common educational qualification in this occupation, workers may enhance their job prospects by obtaining a nationally recognized accreditation from the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC).

What’s the supply of childcare workers?

The childcare worker industry is concentrated in California, Texas, New York

Childcare Worker job market by state