Childcare Worker Salary in Boulder, CO
Childcare Workers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $43,380 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,836 take-home, or $2,986 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,026
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,690
- Medicare (1.45%)$629
- Colorado income tax$1,200
- Take-home pay$35,836
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,590 | $16.63 | $29,160 | $2,430 |
| 25th percentile | $37,690 | $18.12 | $31,514 | $2,626 |
| Median (50th) | $43,380 | $20.86 | $35,836 | $2,986 |
| 75th percentile | $47,550 | $22.86 | $39,003 | $3,250 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,360 | $28.54 | $47,972 | $3,998 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $43,380 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $35,836 take-home pay has the buying power of $34,064 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, CO has 1.6× 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
Boulder, CO ranks #3 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 |
*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 Colorado
- Denver, CO — $44,320
- Colorado Springs, CO — $37,160
- Greeley, CO — $36,690
- Fort Collins, CO — $36,420
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Boulder, CO?
The median childcare worker salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $43,380 a year, or about $20.86 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,690 and $47,550.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $43,380 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $35,836 a year ($2,986 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,200 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $34,064 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #3 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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