Caring for children in their early years is a challenging yet vital task, as a child’s brain develops significantly during this time. In the U.S., those responsible for this important role earn less than animal caretakers and dressing room attendants. This stark reality is highlighted in two recent reports examining the poor treatment of child care workers. The findings reveal a grim economic situation for these workers, including how low wages are reshaping the workforce.
According to the Early Childhood Workforce Index 2024, early childhood educators earn a median hourly wage of $13.07, placing 13% below the poverty line. Published by the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at the University of California, Berkeley, the report also notes:
- 43% of families of early educators depend on public assistance such as food stamps and Medicaid.
- Significant pay disparities exist: Black early educators earn about $8,000 less annually than their white counterparts. Similarly, those working with infants and toddlers earn less than those in preschool settings, which often offer better pay.
- Wages for early educators are increasing at a slower rate than those in other sectors like fast food and retail.
These conditions are prompting the departure of highly educated workers from the industry, as outlined in a report by Chris M. Herbst from Arizona State University. It compares child care workers’ pay to that of other low-income professionals such as cooks and retail workers, ranking child care as the tenth lowest-paid job among 750 occupations. The study also examines the ‘relative quality’ of child care staff based on education and skills. Higher-educated workers are increasingly drawn to better-paying opportunities.
Herbst mentions a “death spiral” in the perception of child care work, which perpetuates low wages. Additional findings from his study include:
- The proportion of child care workers with a bachelor’s degree has barely increased over the years, while those with 12 years of schooling but no high school diploma have quadrupled.
- Median numeracy and literacy scores for female child care workers rank in the 35th and 36th percentiles, respectively, compared to all female workers. Improving these scores is crucial, considering the rapid brain development during early childhood.
Lower education levels among child care staff don’t necessarily preclude them from being effective educators. Skills such as patience and communication are vital. However, higher education often equips staff with knowledge in areas like behavior management and special education, sometimes missing in child care certification programs.
For further insights, read Herbst’s full report here, and the 2024 workforce index here.
This article on child care wages was produced by The Hechinger Report, focusing on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter.
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