Career comparison
Childcare Worker vs. Family and Consumer Sciences Professor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Family and consumer sciences professors earn more at the median ($75,870 vs. $34,980), while childcare workers usually get to work faster (1–4 weeks of required training of training). Childcare workers care for children’s safety, learning and daily needs. Family and consumer sciences professors teach college courses on families, child development, nutrition and personal finance.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Childcare Worker | Family and Consumer Sciences Professor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $34,980 ($16.82/hr) | $75,870 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $24,260 – $46,010 | $47,830 – $130,790 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -2.0% (a projected decline) | +2.4% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 150,300 | 200 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Training time | 1–4 weeks of required training | 6–8 years after a bachelor’s |
| Key credential | CPR and pediatric first aid | Ph.D. |
| Work setting | Childcare workers work in centers, homes and schools. | Faculty work in classrooms, lab schools, kitchens and offices.. |
What each job does
Childcare Worker
- Supervise children and keep them safe
- Prepare meals and snacks
- Change diapers and help with toileting
- Lead play and learning activities
- Help children with naps and routines
Family and Consumer Sciences Professor
- Teach FCS courses
- Prepare future FCS teachers
- Conduct family research
- Supervise child lab schools
- Mentor students
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others and working with people. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose childcare worker if…
- I love caring for children
- I’m patient
- I can handle messes
Choose family and consumer sciences professor if…
- I care about families
- I like practical subjects
- I want to train teachers
Still torn? Take the Childcare Worker fit quiz and the Family and Consumer Sciences Professor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, childcare worker or family and consumer sciences professor?
Family and Consumer Sciences Professors earn more at the median: $75,870 versus $34,980 for childcare workers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Childcare Workers typically train faster (1–4 weeks of required training) than family and consumer sciences professors (6–8 years after a bachelor’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects family and consumer sciences professors to grow +2.4% from 2025–35, compared with -2.0% for childcare workers.