Childcare Worker Salary in Chicago, IL
Childcare Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $36,610 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,929 take-home, or $2,494 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,213
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,270
- Medicare (1.45%)$531
- Illinois income tax$1,667
- Take-home pay$29,929
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $25,850 | $2,154 |
| 25th percentile | $33,770 | $16.24 | $27,787 | $2,316 |
| Median (50th) | $36,610 | $17.60 | $29,929 | $2,494 |
| 75th percentile | $38,220 | $18.38 | $31,143 | $2,595 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,940 | $22.09 | $36,964 | $3,080 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,610 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $29,929 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,890 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 Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #75 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 |
| 75 | Chicago, IL | $36,610 | $29,929 | $28,890 |
*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 Illinois
- Champaign, IL — $34,990
- Peoria, IL — $33,340
- Rockford, IL — $33,560
- Bloomington, IL — $33,140
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Chicago, IL?
The median childcare worker salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36,610 a year, or about $17.60 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,770 and $38,220.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $36,610 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $29,929 a year ($2,494 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,667 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,890 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #75 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 62% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers — $81,440
- First-Line Supervisor of Gambling Services Workers — $68,260
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $49,240
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $48,390
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $47,680
- Animal Trainer — $46,890
- Skincare Specialist — $45,330
- Residential Advisor — $44,320
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop — $40,390
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants — $38,990
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $38,100
- Concierge — $37,440