The number of people employed in childcare and early years education has been increasing steadily for years – from 691,000 in 2014 to 1,030,000 in 2024. Compared with ten years ago, the number of people employed in this field has increased by almost 50 percent. Last year, the total number of employees also rose by approximately three percent compared with the previous year. Approximately three quarters of the employees in this field work in kindergartens and daycare centres. This occupational group also includes staff who work in children’s homes, schools and private households. All in all, approximately 118,000 men work in childcare and early years education. This corresponds to a share of eleven percent.

Full employment and a skills shortage in childcare

At 1.7 percent, unemployment in this field is significantly below the national average. This is one of the reasons why it is considered a shortage occupation by the Federal Employment Agency. The Federal Employment Agency is working to counteract the skills shortage in this area. Over the past five years, it has supported 7,400 people in successfully qualifying as childcare and early years education workers.

Wages paid show strong regional differences

In 2023, the median wage for a full-time position in childcare and early years education occupations was €3,767. The median wage for all occupations in Germany, by comparison, was €3,796. Regional differences are also evident in the median wage in the field of childcare. In 2023, the highest median wage was in Hesse, at €3,907, while the lowest was in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, at €3,539.

Further information on the labour market for childcare and early years education is available in the following report (available in German): Arbeitsmarkt kompakt | February 2025.