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Salary comparison

Childcare Workers vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants: Who Earns More?

Childcare Workers out-earn Amusement and Recreation Attendants by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Childcare Workers land at $34,980 and Amusement and Recreation Attendants at $32,150. The education gap is real: childcare worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while amusement and recreation attendant programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Childcare Workers is District of Columbia ($47,340); for Amusement and Recreation Attendants it's Alaska ($45,680).

Childcare Workers
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Median salary
$34,980
$32,150
Hourly rate
$16.82/hr
$15.46/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$24,260
$22,350
Senior level (90th %)
$46,010
$42,490
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
518,910
397,830
Job growth (10-year)
-2.9%
3.4%
Category
Personal Care
Personal Care
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Childcare Workers median pay.

State
Childcare Workers
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
District of Columbia
$47,340
$37,960
Washington
$41,680
$37,790
Massachusetts
$40,900
$34,440
Colorado
$40,750
$35,770
California
$40,020
$37,000
Oregon
$38,650
$35,400
Vermont
$38,030
$35,290
New York
$37,590
$36,300
Hawaii
$37,030
$39,920
Connecticut
$36,660
$34,860
New Jersey
$36,390
$34,500
Maine
$36,350
$35,330
Alaska
$36,200
$45,680
Maryland
$36,030
$36,710
Arizona
$35,100
$33,570

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Childcare Workers or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Childcare Workers earn more nationally. The median is $34,980 for Childcare Workers versus $32,150 for Amusement and Recreation Attendants, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Childcare Workers or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Amusement and Recreation Attendants has the better 10-year outlook at 3.4% projected growth, compared to -2.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Childcare Workers or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Childcare Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Amusement and Recreation Attendants requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Childcare Workers get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Childcare Workers at $47,340/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Childcare Workers vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Childcare Workers earn $47,340 vs. $37,960 for Amusement and Recreation Attendants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Childcare Workers salary breakdownView →Full Amusement and Recreation Attendants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Childcare Workers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Amusement and Recreation Attendants by take-home payExplore →How to become a childcare workersGuide →How to become a amusement and recreation attendantsGuide →