Childcare Workers vs Retail Salespersons: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Retail Salespersons professionals earn $2,530 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 7.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $47,930 for Retail Salespersons.
Salary Range Comparison
Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Retail Salespersons$25,600 – $47,930
$22,900$47,930
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Childcare Workers | Retail Salespersons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,900 | $25,600 | $-2,700 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $29,140 | $-1,140 |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $34,580 | $-2,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,960 | $37,850 | $-890 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,560 | $47,930 | $-3,370 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,140 | $37,150 | $-4,010 |
Employment Numbers
Childcare Workers
520,180
employed nationwide
Retail Salespersons
3,800,250
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 Retail Salespersons
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,040 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $42,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,180 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $37,500 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $37,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,530 (7.9% 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 Retail Salespersons?
Retail Salespersons salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $47,930 (90th percentile), with a median of $34,580.
How many Childcare Workers and Retail Salespersons jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 3,800,250 Retail Salespersons positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Retail Salespersons to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Retail Salespersons earns $34,580. 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