How to Make More as a Child Care Worker
Child care workers are some of the most hard-working professionals in the country, but the profession can be quite low-paying. The average hourly wage for child care workers in America is $15.42 an hour, which is quite low considering the importance and demands of this profession.
However, child care jobs can provide meaningful employment, flexible hours, and in some cases, good benefits. Careers in child care also encompass a broad range of positions—including family child care providers who provide care in their own homes, private care providers such as nannies or au pairs who provide care in the child’s home, and workers who are employed by child care centers including head start programs and preschools.
No matter what type of child care services you provide, you are probably reading this article because you want to know how to make more as a child care worker. Below, you will find our top strategies for increasing your earnings as a worker in the child care profession:
Start Your Own Business
One way that you can make more as a child care worker is to remove the middle man and work directly with the families you provide care for by starting your own business. Whether you are a preschool teacher or a daycare worker, starting your own business can help you to maximize your earnings.
Some things to remember about becoming a self-employed child care worker include the higher tax rate for self-employed individuals, the “unpaid” hours you will spend doing client outreach and other administrative tasks, and the potential stress of having to find clients on your own.
Despite these potential drawbacks, some self-employed child care workers run highly successful and lucrative businesses. If you are committed to this type of work and feel like you have some business savvy, starting your own business could be the way to go.
Look for Work in Certain States
Child care work is a highly flexible job, and there are positions available in every U.S. state. However, some states offer higher pay than others. For example, the average pay in the District of Columbia, Washington, Massachusetts, and California is over $40,000 per year—about $10,000 more per year than the national average of $30,360.
Of course, the cost of living is also higher in states where salaries for child care workers are well above the national average. Considering both the cost of living and salary is important if you are deciding whether to move somewhere for a higher-paying career.
Another important factor to consider is that many states have programs to supplement the income of child care workers. Some of these programs require that you meet certain criteria, such as having completed education related to child care work, or having been employed as a child care worker for a certain amount of time.
You can look into programs and their benefits on a state-by-state basis based on where you are thinking of moving.
Advance Your Education
Like most careers, you can potentially make more as a child care worker by choosing to advance your education in the field. Pursuing child care-specific education is a great way to stand out from competing child care providers and secure some of the best positions available.
If you are looking for a flexible and affordable way to advance your education as a child care provider, Blackstone Career Institute has an excellent offering for you. Our Child Care Provider Program provides a comprehensive introduction to everything you need to know to work in the child care industry.
The program covers topics like developmental milestones of infants and early childhood, how to create a safe and clean environment for children, and basics of starting and managing a home-based daycare business.
This fully online program can be completed from anywhere, on your own time. Blackstone Career Institute offers payment plans for as little as $59/month, or you can pay in full for just $1214. Tuition includes all fees and materials.
Anyone looking to make more as a child care worker should consider Blackstone Career Institute’s Child Care Provider Program!
Pursue Related Positions
Some experienced child care providers find that the best way to make more as a child care worker is to move into a different but related career path. Supervising and administrative roles, for example, may offer higher pay for those who have been working in child care for some time.
Other related career paths include curriculum development, early childhood education consultants, and licensing specialists. After working in the child care industry for some time, any of these career paths may feel like a reasonable next step that is within reach.
Many people in administrative and supervising roles have started their careers as child care workers. The hands-on experience you gain working with young children becomes an invaluable asset when transitioning to related roles. Since child care is a relatively low-paying profession, one of the best ways to make more as a child care worker is to transition into a related but higher-paying role.
Written by Adam Wernham
Disclaimer: Blackstone Career Institute, an accredited school, cannot guarantee employment, job promotion prospects, or income increases. Please see our course pages for the most up-to-date details and pricing.
