Childcare Worker Salary in Boston, MA
Childcare Workers in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median $41,590 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,738 take-home, or $2,812 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Boston, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,811
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,579
- Medicare (1.45%)$603
- Massachusetts income tax$1,860
- Take-home pay$33,738
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro spans Massachusetts, New Hampshire. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Boston, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,570 | $16.62 | $28,448 | $2,371 |
| 25th percentile | $37,760 | $18.15 | $30,852 | $2,571 |
| Median (50th) | $41,590 | $20.00 | $33,738 | $2,812 |
| 75th percentile | $48,910 | $23.51 | $39,254 | $3,271 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,790 | $23.94 | $39,917 | $3,326 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,590 buys in Boston, MA
Prices in Boston, MA are 8.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.48× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $33,738 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,162 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 Boston, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Boston, MA ranks #22 of 171 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Port, FL | $47,300 | $40,186 | $39,237 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $44,320 | $36,549 | $34,552 |
| 3 | Boulder, CO | $43,380 | $35,836 | $34,064 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $45,720 | $37,504 | $33,964 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $43,710 | $37,301 | $33,564 |
| 6 | Modesto, CA | $41,920 | $34,652 | $33,284 |
| 7 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | $28,521 | $32,546 |
| 8 | Las Cruces, NM | $34,270 | $29,210 | $32,379 |
| 22 | Boston, MA | $41,590 | $33,738 | $31,162 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 171 metros →
Childcare Worker salaries elsewhere in Massachusetts
- Springfield, MA — $36,910
- Worcester, MA — $39,300
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Boston, MA?
The median childcare worker salary in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $41,590 a year, or about $20.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,760 and $48,910.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Boston, MA?
On the median $41,590 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $33,738 a year ($2,812 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,860 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Boston, MA a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 8.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,162 would in a typical U.S. city. Boston, MA ranks #22 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Boston, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boston, MA is $2,276 a month ($2,762 for two bedrooms) — 81% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boston, MA
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $65,190
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $58,000
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $53,740
- Residential Advisor — $48,830
- Funeral Attendant — $48,110
- Skincare Specialist — $47,480
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop — $43,090
- Animal Trainer — $42,180
- Animal Caretaker — $39,850
- Recreation Worker — $38,770
- Tour and Travel Guide — $38,440
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $37,430