SalaryByCity

Childcare Workers vs Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Childcare Workers

$32,050

Median annual salary

520,180 employed nationally

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn $30,290 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 94.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $80,510 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.

Salary Range Comparison

Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
$22,900$80,510

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileChildcare WorkersLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesDifference
10th Percentile$22,900$47,960$-25,060
25th Percentile$28,000$55,220$-27,220
Median (50th)$32,050$62,340$-30,290
75th Percentile$36,960$73,160$-36,200
90th Percentile$44,560$80,510$-35,950
Mean (Average)$33,140$64,150$-31,010

Employment Numbers

Childcare Workers

520,180

employed nationwide

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Childcare Workers

CityMedian
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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $30,290 (94.5% 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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
How many Childcare Workers and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $62,340. 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