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Occupation · SOC 39-9011

Childcare Workers

There are 518,910 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $34,980 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Personal Care & ServiceTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
518,910
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$34,980
Median pay a year
Middle half: $29,360–$38,570
150,300
Annual openings
10-year change: −2%
1
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
One employer filed 100% of them

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 382 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $37,870 · LCA filings 048,780$37,8700
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $36,610 · LCA filings 017,540$36,6100
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $39,890 · LCA filings 016,530$39,8900
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $28,840 · LCA filings 013,220$28,8400
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $37,610 · LCA filings 011,650$37,6100
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $41,590 · LCA filings 010,440$41,5900
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $29,530 · LCA filings 08,690$29,5300
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $31,110 · LCA filings 08,660$31,1100
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAMedian pay $44,540 · LCA filings 08,260$44,5400
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $34,520 · LCA filings 07,960$34,5200

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
North Port–Bradenton–Sarasota, FLEmployment 1,530 · LCA filings 0$47,3001,5300
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 3,090 · LCA filings 0$45,7203,0900
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CAEmployment 8,260 · LCA filings 0$44,5408,2600
Denver–Aurora–Centennial, COEmployment 7,870 · LCA filings 0$44,3207,8700
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 2,520 · LCA filings 0$43,7102,5200

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
South Bend–Mishawaka, IN–MIEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 38011380

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $37,419 · Level III $39,998 · Level IV $42,557$34,861$37,419$39,998$42,557
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $34,736 · Level III $37,190 · Level IV $39,666$32,261$34,736$37,190$39,666
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $39,146 · Level III $41,891 · Level IV $44,658$36,379$39,146$41,891$44,658
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $27,019 · Level III $29,702 · Level IV $32,365$24,357$27,019$29,702$32,365
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $36,774 · Level III $40,144 · Level IV $43,493$33,426$36,774$40,144$43,493
Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $39,125 · Level III $42,890 · Level IV $46,634$35,381$39,125$42,890$46,634
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $26,478 · Level III $30,077 · Level IV $33,675$22,880$26,478$30,077$33,675
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $27,851 · Level III $30,992 · Level IV $34,112$24,731$27,851$30,992$34,112
San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CALevel II $42,307 · Level III $46,072 · Level IV $49,816$38,563$42,307$46,072$49,816
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $32,053 · Level III $34,798 · Level IV $37,523$29,328$32,053$34,798$37,523
South Bend–Mishawaka, IN–MILevel II $28,163 · Level III $30,285 · Level IV $32,386$26,062$28,163$30,285$32,386

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesCIP 19.07OPT · up to 12 months480OPT · up to 12 months
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsCIP 13.12OPT · up to 12 months1,494OPT · up to 12 months

See Childcare Workers in every metro area

All 382 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Personal Care & Service

Amusement and Recreation AttendantsHairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsExercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsRecreation WorkersAnimal CaretakersUshers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersManicurists and PedicuristsResidential Advisors

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology