Childcare Worker Salary in Hartford, CT
Childcare Workers in the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT metro area earn a median $35,920 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,350 take-home, or $2,529 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Hartford, CT. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,130
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,227
- Medicare (1.45%)$521
- Connecticut income tax$691
- Take-home pay$30,350
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Hartford, CT
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,220 | $16.45 | $29,061 | $2,422 |
| 25th percentile | $35,510 | $17.07 | $30,039 | $2,503 |
| Median (50th) | $35,920 | $17.27 | $30,350 | $2,529 |
| 75th percentile | $37,070 | $17.82 | $31,223 | $2,602 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,620 | $20.97 | $36,191 | $3,016 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Connecticut resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,920 buys in Hartford, CT
Prices in Hartford, CT are 2.7% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.10× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $30,350 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,539 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Hartford, CT has 1.8× 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
Hartford, CT ranks #16 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 |
| 16 | Hartford, CT | $35,920 | $30,350 | $29,539 |
*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.
Childcare Worker salaries elsewhere in Connecticut
- Bridgeport, CT — $38,020
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Hartford, CT?
The median childcare worker salary in the Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT metro area is $35,920 a year, or about $17.27 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,510 and $37,070.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Hartford, CT?
On the median $35,920 salary, a single filer living in Connecticut takes home about $30,350 a year ($2,529 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $691 in Connecticut taxes in 2026.
Is Hartford, CT a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 2.7% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,539 would in a typical U.S. city. Hartford, CT ranks #16 of 46 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Hartford, CT?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Hartford, CT is $1,477 a month ($1,865 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.