Childcare Worker Salary in Chicago, IL
Childcare Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $36,610 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,929 take-home, or $2,494 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,213
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,270
- Medicare (1.45%)$531
- Illinois income tax$1,667
- Take-home pay$29,929
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $33,770 | $16.24 | $27,787 | $2,316 |
| Median (50th) | $36,610 | $17.60 | $29,929 | $2,494 |
| 75th percentile | $38,220 | $18.38 | $31,143 | $2,595 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,940 | $22.09 | $36,964 | $3,080 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,610 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $29,929 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,890 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Childcare Worker jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #21 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 |
| 21 | Chicago, IL | $36,610 | $29,929 | $28,890 |
*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 Chicago, IL?
The median childcare worker salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36,610 a year, or about $17.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,770 and $38,220.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $36,610 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $29,929 a year ($2,494 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,667 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,890 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #21 of 46 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $48,390
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $47,680
- Skincare Specialist — $45,330
- Animal Caretaker — $36,110
- Recreation Worker — $35,830
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $35,000
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,260
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $34,170
- Gambling Dealer — $31,200