Childcare Worker Salary in Memphis, TN
Childcare Workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median $28,860 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,369 take-home, or $2,114 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Memphis, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,283
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,789
- Medicare (1.45%)$418
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$25,369
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro spans Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas. 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 Memphis, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,740 | $10.45 | $19,513 | $1,626 |
| 25th percentile | $23,280 | $11.19 | $20,781 | $1,732 |
| Median (50th) | $28,860 | $13.88 | $25,369 | $2,114 |
| 75th percentile | $32,560 | $15.65 | $28,342 | $2,362 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,750 | $17.67 | $31,709 | $2,642 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,860 buys in Memphis, TN
Prices in Memphis, TN are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 20% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $25,369 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,521 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Memphis, TN 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
Memphis, TN ranks #32 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 |
| 32 | Memphis, TN | $28,860 | $25,369 | $27,521 |
*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 Tennessee
- Nashville, TN — $34,450
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Memphis, TN?
The median childcare worker salary in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $28,860 a year, or about $13.88 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $23,280 and $32,560.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Memphis, TN?
On the median $28,860 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $25,369 a year ($2,114 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Memphis, TN a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,521 would in a typical U.S. city. Memphis, TN ranks #32 of 46 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Memphis, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Memphis, TN is $1,137 a month ($1,263 for two bedrooms) — 54% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.