In early 2025, King County, Washington, launched the Best Starts for Kids Wage Boost Pilot, which in its first year gave about 850 child care professionals up to an additional $8,320 in pay. On top of the wage boost, the pilot aims to improve child care professionals’ well-being and workforce stability, as well as children’s continuity of care.

The Urban Institute and Cardea Services are conducting a mixed-methods, community-informed study evaluating the pilot’s impact. This brief shares findings on wages and benefits for the King County child care workforce from a baseline survey of 1,094 child care professionals, conducted before the launch of the pilot.

Why This Matters

Child care professionals are integral to children’s education and development, as well as families’ ability to work and go to school. Despite the vital work they do, many do not receive sufficient wages and benefits to support themselves and their own families. As a result, some child care professionals leave the field in search of better compensation, leading to workforce shortages and a lack of stability and continuity of care for children.

What We Found

• On average, survey respondents did not receive an income equivalent to living wages for a one-adult household in King County.
• Many child care professionals did not have access to comprehensive benefits. While most were offered paid holidays and paid time off, benefits like health insurance, child care, and retirement were less common.
• While child care professionals were satisfied with many aspects of their jobs, such as relationships with families and supervisors, many were dissatisfied with their pay and benefits.
• Pay and benefits were the top reasons child care professionals reported looking for or considering looking for another job.