Childcare Worker Salary in Charleston, SC
Childcare Workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median $31,870 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,032 take-home, or $2,253 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Charleston, SC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,644
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,976
- Medicare (1.45%)$462
- South Carolina income tax$755
- Take-home pay$27,032
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Charleston, SC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,620 | $12.80 | $23,091 | $1,924 |
| 25th percentile | $28,870 | $13.88 | $24,802 | $2,067 |
| Median (50th) | $31,870 | $15.32 | $27,032 | $2,253 |
| 75th percentile | $37,280 | $17.92 | $31,055 | $2,588 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,760 | $19.60 | $33,642 | $2,804 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, South Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,870 buys in Charleston, SC
Prices in Charleston, SC are 1.0% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.20× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $27,032 take-home pay has the buying power of $26,775 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Charleston, SC 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
Charleston, SC ranks #128 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 |
| 128 | Charleston, SC | $31,870 | $27,032 | $26,775 |
*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 South Carolina
- Spartanburg, SC — $29,430
- Columbia, SC — $28,850
- Greenville, SC — $28,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Charleston, SC?
The median childcare worker salary in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $31,870 a year, or about $15.32 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,870 and $37,280.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Charleston, SC?
On the median $31,870 salary, a single filer living in South Carolina takes home about $27,032 a year ($2,253 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $755 in South Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charleston, SC a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 1.0% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $26,775 would in a typical U.S. city. Charleston, SC ranks #128 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Charleston, SC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charleston, SC is $1,630 a month ($1,787 for two bedrooms) — 72% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charleston, SC
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- Recreation Worker — $36,550
- Animal Caretaker — $35,000
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- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $29,730