Childcare workers
SOC Code: 39-9011
Childcare workers carries a 32% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $32,050 and -2.9% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 991,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 32% AI exposure, Childcare workers sits 5 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 37% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Childcare workers sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Childcare workers has ai exposure of 32%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Childcare workers vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Childcare workers is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Childcare workers (SOC 39-9011) carries an AI exposure score of 32%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 991,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -2.9% change through 2034 - a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $32,050, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Childcare workers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Instruct children in safe behavior, such as seeking adult assistance when crossing the street and avoiding contact with unsafe objects.
- 2. Remove hazards and develop appropriate boundaries and rules to create a safe environment for children.
- 3. Perform first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) when required.
- 4. Instruct and assist children in the development of health and personal habits, such as eating, resting, and toilet behavior.
- 5. Regulate children's rest periods and nap schedules.
- 6. Teach and perform age-appropriate activities, such as lap play, reading, and arts and crafts, to encourage intellectual development of children.
- 7. Help prepare and serve nutritionally balanced meals and snacks for children.
- 8. Model appropriate social behaviors and encourage concern for others to cultivate development of interpersonal relationships and communication skills.
- 9. Maintain a safe play environment.
- 10. Organize and conduct age-appropriate recreational activities, such as games, arts and crafts, sports, walks, and play dates.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
- Critical Thinking
- Persuasion
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Coordination
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Transportation
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Food Production
- Communications and Media
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Childcare workers?
Childcare workers has an AI exposure score of 32%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Childcare workers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Childcare workers is projected to decline by 2.9% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 991,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Childcare workers?
Key skills for Childcare workers include Active Listening, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Childcare workers earn?
The median annual wage for Childcare workers is $32,050, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Childcare workers?
The typical entry-level education for Childcare workers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Childcare workers?
Childcare workers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).