Childcare Workers vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $101,030 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 315.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$22,900$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Childcare Workers | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,900 | $79,850 | $-56,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $103,050 | $-75,050 |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $133,080 | $-101,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,960 | $169,000 | $-132,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,560 | $211,450 | $-166,890 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,140 | $144,570 | $-111,430 |
Employment Numbers
Childcare Workers
520,180
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $101,030 (315.2% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Childcare Workers and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Software Developers earns $133,080. 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