Childcare Workers vs Food Service Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Food Service Managers professionals earn $33,260 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 103.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$22,900$105,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Childcare Workers | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,900 | $42,380 | $-19,480 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $53,090 | $-25,090 |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $65,310 | $-33,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,960 | $82,300 | $-45,340 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,560 | $105,420 | $-60,860 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,140 | $72,370 | $-39,230 |
Employment Numbers
Childcare Workers
520,180
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
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 Food Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $86,840 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $84,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $82,570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $82,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $33,260 (103.8% 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 Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
How many Childcare Workers and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Food Service Managers earns $65,310. 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