Childcare Workers
Machines can already do 17% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 44%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Childcare Workers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 17% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 1% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2037, and 44% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 518,910 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $34,980 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 81% for contact with people.
- Also called: Caregiver, Child Care Worker, Child Caregiver, Childcare Provider.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Observe and monitor children's play activities | 18% | 3% to 30% | |
| Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts | 8% | 35% to 58% | |
| Dress children and change diapers | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Read to children and teach them simple painting, drawing, handicrafts, and songs | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Assist in preparing food and serving meals and refreshments to children | 6% | 3% to 30% | |
| Maintain a safe play environment | 5% | 3% to 30% | |
| Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues | 5% | 35% to 58% | |
| Care for children in institutional setting, such as group homes, nursery schools, private businesses, or schools for people with disabilities | 5% | 3% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills childcare workers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Nannies42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $34,980
- Teaching Assistants, Special Education41% of tasks by 2035
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education42% of tasks by 2035 · US median $38,140
- Animal Trainers40% of tasks by 2035 · US median $39,990
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Childcare Workers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2037. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of childcare workers?
Machines can do 17% of the tasks of childcare workers today and 44% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 39-9011.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Childcare Workers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/childcare-workers/