This brief begins with an overview of the composition of the child center care workforce in 2019, then provides detailed breakdowns of pay by race and ethnicity, examining changes since 2012.Next, the brief discusses the impact of educational attainment and certifications by race and ethnicity on earnings, and employer-provided support for professional development, before turning to the impact of low pay on child care workers’ economic security and overall well-being. The brief concludes with policy recommendations for tackling the child care staffing crisis and improving the job quality and pay of child care center workers. (author abstract)