Childcare Workers vs Fast Food and Counter Workers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Childcare Workers professionals earn $1,570 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 5.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $38,800 for Fast Food and Counter Workers.
Salary Range Comparison
Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
$22,620$44,560
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Childcare Workers | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,900 | $22,620 | +$280 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $27,150 | +$850 |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $30,480 | +$1,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,960 | $35,440 | +$1,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,560 | $38,800 | +$5,760 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,140 | $31,350 | +$1,790 |
Employment Numbers
Childcare Workers
520,180
employed nationwide
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Childcare Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $44,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,640 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $40,180 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $39,290 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $38,720 |
Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Childcare Workers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,570 (5.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Childcare Workers?
Childcare Workers salaries range from $22,900 (10th percentile) to $44,560 (90th percentile), with a median of $32,050.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
How many Childcare Workers and Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Fast Food and Counter Workers to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $30,480. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS