Childcare Workers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $30,920 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 96.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$22,900$105,150
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Childcare Workers | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,900 | $40,670 | $-17,770 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $48,860 | $-20,860 |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $62,970 | $-30,920 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,960 | $81,900 | $-44,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,560 | $105,150 | $-60,590 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,140 | $69,940 | $-36,800 |
Employment Numbers
Childcare Workers
520,180
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,920 (96.5% 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Childcare Workers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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