How much does a Child Care make in the United States?
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The average Child Care salary in the United States is $111,945 as of March 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Child Care positions (listed below) typically falls between $32,500 and $191,390. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Child Care's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Child Care Center Director | $86,864 | $41.76 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Child Care Center Teacher | $43,663 | $20.99 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Child Caregiver I | $35,983 | $17.30 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Child Caregiver II | $40,662 | $19.55 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Child Life Specialist | $62,982 | $30.28 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Child Life Program Director | $121,730 | $58.52 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Staff Nurse - RN - Wound Care - Home Care | $113,224 | $54.43 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Critical Care Director | $169,899 | $81.68 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Patient Care Technician (PCT) | $40,013 | $19.24 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
| Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care | $132,989 | $63.94 | United States | March 01, 2026 |
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Directs the daily operations of a child care center in accordance with state licensing requirements and regulations. Administers recruiting and staffing processes. Provides training and professional development for staff. Oversees enrollment activities, communications, and events that foster positive relations with families and the community. Ensures that the activities and surroundings meet the needs of children and provide safety and security. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in early childhood education or equivalent. Depending on the location, may require a state specific director certification or a more general certification such as the Child Development Associate (CDA). Typically requires Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Typically reports to senior management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. View Child Care Center Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Day Care Center Director, Hospital Child Care Center Director, Hospital Children's Day Care Director, Child Care Center Director
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Oversees the educational activities within the day care classroom. Structures the curriculum and monitors students' progress to ensure activities are meeting the children's needs. Maintains a clean, safe, and nurturing environment. Holds conferences with parents to discuss child's growth and development. Typically requires an associate degree. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Child Care Center Teacher SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Children's Day Care Center Teacher, Day Care Teacher, Preschool Teacher, Child Care Center TeacherCategory : Education
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Cares for young children in a day care setting. Leads and monitors various play and learning activities including games, crafts, story time, and music. Performs daily tasks required to keep children happy, clean, safe, and occupied. Supervises snacks, meals, and naps. Completes any required documentation including attendance logs, sign in sheets, or medication administration records. Maintains a safe and secure play area. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically requires Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience. View Child Caregiver I SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Day Care Worker I, Child Caregiver I
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Cares for young children in a day care setting. Leads and monitors various play and learning activities including games, crafts, story time, and music. Performs daily tasks required to keep children happy, clean, safe, and occupied. Supervises snacks, meals, and naps. Completes any required documentation including attendance logs, sign in sheets, or medication administration records. Maintains a safe and secure play area. Typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Typically requires Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience. View Child Caregiver II SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Day Care Worker II, Child Caregiver IICategory : Healthcare - Practitioners
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Responsible for the design and implementation of pediatric programs, therapies, and activities among young patients. Works with families to assist in caring for childhood hospitalizations or disabilities. Monitors child development to ensure normal progression. Provides in-depth care as needed to more urgent cases. May require a bachelor's degree in area of specialty. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Work is closely managed. View Child Life Specialist SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Child Life Activities Specialist, Child Life Program Specialist, Pediatric Program and Activity Specialist, Child Life Specialist
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Manages and directs pediatric programs, therapies, and activities among young patients. Evaluates programs and recommends changes to improve care for childhood hospitalizations or disabilities. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. View Child Life Program Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Director of Child Life Programs, Head of Child Life Programs, Pediatric Program and Activity Director, Child Life Program Director
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Provides home care to patients with stomas, draining wounds, fistulae, incontinence, or potential or actual tissue trauma. Manages patients with post-operative surgical wounds requiring packing or negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), pressure ulcers and vascular ulcers. Provides support and education to patients and their families, including pre and post-operative teaching, wound care, ostomy care, and ostomy appliance maintenance/troubleshooting. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in nursing. Requires a RN license and wound care certification such as CWCN or CWS. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Staff Nurse - RN - Wound Care - Home Care SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Nurse - Enterostomal Therapist -Home Care, Staff Nurse - RN - Wound Care - Home CareCategory : Healthcare - Nursing
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Directs the staff and programs of the critical care unit. Develops and introduces approved standards and guidelines for critical care services and programs. Ensures quality care to patients. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. View Critical Care Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:CCU Administrative Director, Critical Care Director
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Performs various direct patient care activities under the supervision of a Registered Nurse. Assists patients in dressing, undressing, bathing, eating, walking, and other activities. Ensures patients' safety, well-being, and comfort. Collects body fluid specimens, gathers vital signs, and performs basic lab work. Helps patients take medications. Aids physicians and nursing staff members with procedures if needed. Maintains documents and records related to patient care. Follows all relevant safety guidelines and regulations. Communicates with patients, their families, and other care providers. Requires a high school diploma. Requires Patient Care Technician Certification (PCT). Typically reports to a registered nurse or manager. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience. View Patient Care Technician (PCT) SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Patient Care Associate, Patient Care Technician (PCT)
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Works in collaboration with physicians and other members of the healthcare team to manage care for patients in an acute care setting. Orders, interprets, and records results of clinical tests and reports results to physicians. Prescribes medications and makes recommendations for other therapeutic forms of treatment. Assesses patient condition and may provide treatment using specialized medical equipment. Requires a master's degree. Requires Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP). Requires Registered Nurse (RN). Requires Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care SalaryAlternate Job Titles:NP - Acute Care, Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care