Childcare Workers vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $61,550 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 192.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$22,900$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Childcare Workers | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,900 | $66,030 | $-43,130 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $78,610 | $-50,610 |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $93,600 | $-61,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $36,960 | $107,960 | $-71,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $44,560 | $135,320 | $-90,760 |
| Mean (Average) | $33,140 | $98,430 | $-65,290 |
Employment Numbers
Childcare Workers
520,180
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $61,550 (192.0% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Childcare Workers and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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