Childcare Worker Salary
Childcare Workers earn a median $34,980 a year nationally. Personal Care and Service Occupations
U.S. median
$34,980
$16.82 per hour
Range
$24,260 – $46,010
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
518,910
across the U.S.
▲9.1%
Pay trend: The median for childcare workers in the U.S. rose from $32,050 (May 2024) to $34,980 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 6.7%.
What childcare workers do
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)
- Openings per year
- 150,300
- Self-employed
- 24%
Employment of childcare workers is projected to shrink 2.0% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 150,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Childcare Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$30,286
per year · effective tax rate 13.4%
$2,524Monthly
$1,262Twice a month
$1,165Every 2 weeks
$14.56Hourly
- Federal income tax$2,018
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,169
- Medicare (1.45%)$507
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,286
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,260 | $11.66 | $21,588 |
| 25th percentile | $29,360 | $14.12 | $25,771 |
| Median (50th) | $34,980 | $16.82 | $30,286 |
| 75th percentile | $38,570 | $18.54 | $33,171 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,010 | $22.12 | $39,149 |
Best cities for childcare workers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 | 7,870 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 | 3,090 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 | 2,520 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $44,540 | $36,618 | $31,673 | 8,260 |
| 5 | Riverside, CA | $40,210 | $33,368 | $31,349 | 5,110 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $41,590 | $33,738 | $31,162 | 10,440 |
| 7 | Nashville, TN | $34,450 | $29,861 | $30,996 | 5,280 |
| 8 | Providence, RI | $37,230 | $31,315 | $30,770 | 2,880 |
| 9 | Albany, NY | $36,170 | $29,886 | $30,017 | 2,420 |
| 10 | Rochester, NY | $35,090 | $29,077 | $29,965 | 2,410 |
| 11 | Bridgeport, CT | $38,020 | $31,943 | $29,891 | 3,720 |
| 12 | St. Louis, MO | $33,320 | $28,324 | $29,787 | 5,710 |
| 13 | Portland, OR | $39,590 | $31,356 | $29,744 | 3,020 |
| 14 | Portland, ME | $36,620 | $30,272 | $29,720 | 2,460 |
| 15 | San Diego, CA | $39,800 | $33,061 | $29,548 | 4,420 |
| 16 | Hartford, CT | $35,920 | $30,350 | $29,539 | 3,630 |
| 17 | Kansas City, MO | $31,770 | $27,151 | $29,339 | 6,660 |
| 18 | Phoenix, AZ | $35,760 | $30,228 | $29,258 | 4,230 |
| 19 | Los Angeles, CA | $39,890 | $33,128 | $29,171 | 16,530 |
| 20 | Omaha, NE | $31,330 | $26,784 | $29,141 | 4,940 |
| 21 | Chicago, IL | $36,610 | $29,929 | $28,890 | 17,540 |
| 22 | Tampa, FL | $33,530 | $29,121 | $28,864 | 3,420 |
| 23 | Minneapolis, MN | $36,310 | $30,231 | $28,840 | 7,740 |
| 24 | Washington, DC | $37,610 | $31,309 | $28,754 | 11,650 |
| 25 | Richmond, VA | $33,570 | $28,037 | $28,651 | 2,610 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- San Jose, CA — $45,720
- San Francisco, CA — $44,540
- Denver, CO — $44,320
- Seattle, WA — $43,710
- Boston, MA — $41,590
- Riverside, CA — $40,210
- Los Angeles, CA — $39,890
- San Diego, CA — $39,800
- Portland, OR — $39,590
- Bridgeport, CT — $38,020
- New York, NY — $37,870
- Washington, DC — $37,610
- Providence, RI — $37,230
- Portland, ME — $36,620
- Chicago, IL — $36,610
Childcare Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,340 | +4.3% | $38,543 | $39,050 – $56,790 | 1,350 |
| Washington | $41,680 | +10.3% | $35,670 | $35,340 – $50,080 | 4,340 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 | +4.1% | $33,218 | $34,130 – $49,790 | 13,140 |
| Colorado | $40,750 | +6.1% | $33,838 | $33,430 – $49,190 | 13,310 |
| California | $40,020 | +4.7% | $33,226 | $35,340 – $52,670 | 52,780 |
| Oregon | $38,650 | +6.6% | $30,683 | $32,580 – $46,450 | 5,240 |
| Vermont | $38,030 | +0.5% | $31,897 | $32,140 – $46,030 | — |
| New York | $37,590 | +2.6% | $30,951 | $33,630 – $46,970 | 44,020 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 | +7.3% | $31,974 | $27,850 – $44,500 | 2,820 |
| Hawaii | $37,030 | +1.6% | $30,565 | $30,850 – $47,270 | 1,870 |
| Rhode Island | $36,940 | +5.8% | $31,093 | $31,410 – $45,140 | 1,800 |
| Connecticut | $36,660 | +3.9% | $30,912 | $34,940 – $44,760 | 12,020 |
| New Jersey | $36,390 | +6.1% | $30,863 | $32,220 – $44,800 | 25,070 |
| Maine | $36,350 | +4.7% | $30,071 | $31,200 – $46,020 | 4,990 |
| Alaska | $36,200 | +3.5% | $31,267 | $30,640 – $46,640 | 1,340 |
| Maryland | $36,030 | +2.5% | $29,782 | $31,570 – $47,280 | 9,750 |
| New Mexico | $35,840 | +4.7% | $30,404 | $29,880 – $42,190 | 4,120 |
| Illinois | $35,830 | +9.0% | $29,341 | $31,200 – $44,980 | 23,900 |
| Minnesota | $35,520 | +5.7% | $29,639 | $28,560 – $44,880 | 11,570 |
| Montana | $35,120 | +11.7% | $29,505 | $27,770 – $38,750 | 2,190 |
| Arizona | $35,100 | −0.1% | $29,714 | $30,830 – $45,660 | 5,530 |
| Virginia | $34,330 | +13.9% | $28,604 | $28,150 – $44,100 | 13,930 |
| Florida | $34,210 | +10.8% | $29,668 | $27,960 – $44,730 | 21,760 |
| Delaware | $33,210 | +10.5% | $27,698 | $31,200 – $40,410 | 1,230 |
| Wisconsin | $32,460 | +9.4% | $27,614 | $24,650 – $42,830 | 5,560 |
| Utah | $31,630 | +2.5% | $27,137 | $23,040 – $43,440 | 4,830 |
| Michigan | $30,970 | +5.7% | $25,999 | $27,210 – $39,340 | 14,010 |
| Missouri | $30,790 | +3.3% | $26,410 | $28,600 – $41,600 | 12,430 |
| Nebraska | $30,740 | +6.5% | $26,331 | $28,130 – $36,660 | 9,390 |
| North Dakota | $30,290 | −0.3% | $26,518 | $23,310 – $37,070 | 4,030 |
| Indiana | $30,180 | +2.9% | $25,569 | $23,880 – $38,250 | 8,280 |
| Idaho | $30,160 | +3.6% | $25,923 | $17,550 – $42,150 | 4,430 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,140 | +6.4% | $25,472 | $22,710 – $39,290 | 13,000 |
| Nevada | $29,740 | +2.1% | $26,076 | $27,520 – $38,560 | 3,740 |
| Ohio | $29,680 | +5.1% | $25,994 | $23,800 – $40,390 | 11,300 |
| Tennessee | $29,660 | +2.2% | $26,012 | $21,730 – $38,050 | 13,650 |
| South Carolina | $29,650 | +4.3% | $25,382 | $22,020 – $37,720 | 10,660 |
| Kansas | $29,240 | +1.5% | $24,818 | $22,810 – $37,280 | 7,430 |
| North Carolina | $29,140 | +2.3% | $24,940 | $22,840 – $40,990 | 12,550 |
| Kentucky | $28,920 | +1.2% | $24,523 | $21,860 – $39,550 | 5,820 |
| Texas | $28,570 | +0.2% | $25,136 | $21,750 – $37,290 | 34,160 |
| Arkansas | $28,450 | +4.7% | $24,142 | $23,940 – $33,640 | 5,400 |
| Iowa | $28,420 | +1.8% | $24,586 | $21,950 – $37,220 | 6,020 |
| Wyoming | $28,250 | +2.5% | $24,874 | $21,960 – $50,040 | 1,110 |
| Georgia | $28,020 | +0.3% | $23,853 | $22,170 – $36,980 | 21,040 |
| South Dakota | $27,940 | +4.0% | $24,619 | $26,500 – $37,840 | 2,370 |
| Oklahoma | $27,730 | +5.8% | $23,743 | $22,040 – $38,580 | 7,590 |
| West Virginia | $27,710 | +16.1% | $23,740 | $22,170 – $35,890 | 1,930 |
| Louisiana | $22,900 | +3.6% | $20,167 | $18,650 – $33,610 | 8,000 |
| Alabama | $22,720 | +1.3% | $19,449 | $18,680 – $32,330 | 4,580 |
| Mississippi | $22,050 | +1.3% | $19,618 | $18,230 – $33,600 | 5,420 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $36,560 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.3% |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $41,600 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.9% |
| Residential Advisor | $42,240 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.5% |
| Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor | $47,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +7.3% |
| Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner | $34,980 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.8% |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,360 | High school diploma or equivalent | +12.1% |
| Gambling Dealer | $34,320 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.6% |
| Manicurist and Pedicurist | $35,760 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +9.2% |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,790 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make?
The national median salary for childcare workers is $34,980 a year ($16.82 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $24,260 and the top 10% earn over $46,010. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays childcare workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $47,340. After taxes and local prices, Denver, CO offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many childcare workers are there in the U.S.?
About 518,910 people work as childcare workers nationwide.
All 46 cities
- Albany, NY
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Bridgeport, CT
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Hartford, CT
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Kansas City, MO
- Las Vegas, NV
- Los Angeles, CA
- Memphis, TN
- Miami, FL
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Omaha, NE
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, ME
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- Richmond, VA
- Riverside, CA
- Rochester, NY
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC