Childcare Worker Salary in Dayton, OH
Childcare Workers in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area earn a median $29,140 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,575 take-home, or $2,131 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Dayton, OH. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,317
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,807
- Medicare (1.45%)$423
- Ohio income tax$19
- Take-home pay$25,575
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.75% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Dayton, OH
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,120 | $11.12 | $20,649 | $1,721 |
| 25th percentile | $25,340 | $12.18 | $22,477 | $1,873 |
| Median (50th) | $29,140 | $14.01 | $25,575 | $2,131 |
| 75th percentile | $32,340 | $15.55 | $28,058 | $2,338 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,350 | $17.96 | $31,946 | $2,662 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Ohio resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,140 buys in Dayton, OH
Prices in Dayton, OH are 7.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 27% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $25,575 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,591 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 less concentrated in Dayton, OH than nationally (location quotient 0.56), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Dayton, OH ranks #108 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 |
| 108 | Dayton, OH | $29,140 | $25,575 | $27,591 |
*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 Ohio
- Youngstown, OH — $30,520
- Cleveland, OH — $30,460
- Akron, OH — $30,140
- Toledo, OH — $29,000
- Columbus, OH — $30,280
- Cincinnati, OH — $30,150
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Dayton, OH?
The median childcare worker salary in the Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH metro area is $29,140 a year, or about $14.01 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $25,340 and $32,340.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Dayton, OH?
On the median $29,140 salary, a single filer living in Ohio takes home about $25,575 a year ($2,131 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $19 in Ohio taxes in 2026.
Is Dayton, OH a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 7.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,591 would in a typical U.S. city. Dayton, OH ranks #108 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Dayton, OH?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Dayton, OH is $1,009 a month ($1,273 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Dayton, OH
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $36,580
- Recreation Worker — $33,130
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $30,590
- Animal Caretaker — $29,400
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $26,200