Paying Fair for Child Care

by Karen Schulman, Senior Policy Analyst 
National Women’s Law Center

On Fair Pay Day, we take note of the fact that many women work in jobs comparable to men and are paid much less than their male colleagues. It’s also important to draw attention to the fact that many women are in jobs dominated by women and are paid extremely low wages. One such job is child care, where 97 percent of the workforce is female.

Child care providers play an essential role in children’s lives. High-quality child care promotes children’s well-being and prepares them academically, emotionally, and socially for school so they can achieve their full potential. Yet, child care is among the lowest paid professions. In 2006, child care workers earned an average of just $9.05 an hour, or $18,820 annually. In comparison, baggage porters earned an average of $21,580 annually and pet sitters earned an average of $20,230 annually. Child care workers are also often denied other important and necessary benefits, such as health care and sick leave. Because of the low wages and limited benefits associated with child care work, many women in the industry are forced to take on second jobs.

Child care providers need to see a dramatic increase in wages if they are to support themselves and their families. Some states have taken steps in the right direction by boosting wages for child care providers who receive additional education, making health care benefits available to child care providers, and allowing home-based child care providers to unionize. Although some small steps have been made, much more can be done.

(For more information on child care workers, see http://www.nwlc.org/pdf/ProvidersApril2008.pdf)