Childcare Worker Salary in Atlanta, GA
Childcare Workers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $28,840 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,479 take-home, or $2,040 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,281
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,788
- Medicare (1.45%)$418
- Georgia income tax$874
- Take-home pay$24,479
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.19% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,870 | $11.48 | $20,651 | $1,721 |
| 25th percentile | $24,960 | $12.00 | $21,492 | $1,791 |
| Median (50th) | $28,840 | $13.87 | $24,479 | $2,040 |
| 75th percentile | $32,020 | $15.39 | $26,869 | $2,239 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,030 | $17.80 | $30,635 | $2,553 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,840 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $24,479 take-home pay has the buying power of $24,465 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Atlanta, GA has 1.4× the national concentration of childcare worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #45 of 46 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $44,540 | $36,618 | $31,673 |
| 5 | Riverside, CA | $40,210 | $33,368 | $31,349 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $41,590 | $33,738 | $31,162 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $34,450 | $29,861 | $30,996 |
| 8 | Providence, RI | $37,230 | $31,315 | $30,770 |
| 45 | Atlanta, GA | $28,840 | $24,479 | $24,465 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 46 metros →
About the job: childcare workers
Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions. Perform a variety of tasks, such as dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing play.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -2.0% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Atlanta, GA?
The median childcare worker salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $28,840 a year, or about $13.87 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,960 and $32,020.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $28,840 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $24,479 a year ($2,040 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $874 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $24,465 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #45 of 46 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 81% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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