SalaryByCity

Childcare Workers vs Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Childcare Workers

$32,050

Median annual salary

520,180 employed nationally

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

$64,580

Median annual salary

1,072,540 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals earn $32,530 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 101.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $104,670 for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.

Salary Range Comparison

Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$47,330 – $104,670
$22,900$104,670

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileChildcare WorkersSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationDifference
10th Percentile$22,900$47,330$-24,430
25th Percentile$28,000$57,800$-29,800
Median (50th)$32,050$64,580$-32,530
75th Percentile$36,960$83,010$-46,050
90th Percentile$44,560$104,670$-60,110
Mean (Average)$33,140$73,700$-40,560

Employment Numbers

Childcare Workers

520,180

employed nationwide

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

1,072,540

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Childcare Workers

CityMedian
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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$103,640
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$103,640
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$99,840
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$99,740
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$99,530

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,530 (101.5% 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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salaries range from $47,330 (10th percentile) to $104,670 (90th percentile), with a median of $64,580.
How many Childcare Workers and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 1,072,540 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earns $64,580. 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