Childcare Worker Salary in San Francisco, CA
Childcare Workers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area earn a median $44,540 a year — 27% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,618 take-home, or $3,051 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in San Francisco, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,165
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,761
- Medicare (1.45%)$646
- California income tax$771
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$579
- Take-home pay$36,618
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Childcare Worker pay by experience in San Francisco, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,930 | $18.24 | $31,657 | $2,638 |
| 25th percentile | $39,480 | $18.98 | $32,820 | $2,735 |
| Median (50th) | $44,540 | $21.41 | $36,618 | $3,051 |
| 75th percentile | $49,130 | $23.62 | $40,020 | $3,335 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,410 | $27.60 | $46,069 | $3,839 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,540 buys in San Francisco, CA
Prices in San Francisco, CA are 15.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.95× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $36,618 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,673 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 San Francisco, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.04).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
San Francisco, CA ranks #4 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 California
- San Jose, CA — $45,720
- Riverside, CA — $40,210
- San Diego, CA — $39,800
- Los Angeles, CA — $39,890
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in San Francisco, CA?
The median childcare worker salary in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro area is $44,540 a year, or about $21.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,480 and $49,130.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in San Francisco, CA?
On the median $44,540 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $36,618 a year ($3,051 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,350 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Francisco, CA a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 27% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 15.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,673 would in a typical U.S. city. San Francisco, CA ranks #4 of 46 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in San Francisco, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Francisco, CA is $2,620 a month ($3,187 for two bedrooms) — 86% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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