Childcare Worker Salary in Nashville, TN
Childcare Workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median $34,450 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,861 take-home, or $2,488 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Nashville, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,954
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,136
- Medicare (1.45%)$500
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,861
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Nashville, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,630 | $11.36 | $21,069 | $1,756 |
| 25th percentile | $29,460 | $14.16 | $25,851 | $2,154 |
| Median (50th) | $34,450 | $16.56 | $29,861 | $2,488 |
| 75th percentile | $37,600 | $18.08 | $32,392 | $2,699 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,880 | $21.10 | $37,438 | $3,120 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,450 buys in Nashville, TN
Prices in Nashville, TN are 3.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.05× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $29,861 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,996 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Nashville, 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
Nashville, TN ranks #7 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 |
*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
- Memphis, TN — $28,860
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Nashville, TN?
The median childcare worker salary in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $34,450 a year, or about $16.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,460 and $37,600.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Nashville, TN?
On the median $34,450 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $29,861 a year ($2,488 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,996 would in a typical U.S. city. Nashville, TN ranks #7 of 46 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Nashville, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Nashville, TN is $1,530 a month ($1,685 for two bedrooms) — 61% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.