Childcare Worker Salary in Fort Collins, CO
Childcare Workers in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area earn a median $36,420 a year — 4% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,549 take-home, or $2,546 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Fort Collins, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,190
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,258
- Medicare (1.45%)$528
- Colorado income tax$894
- Take-home pay$30,549
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Fort Collins, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,360 | $15.08 | $26,706 | $2,226 |
| 25th percentile | $34,080 | $16.38 | $28,772 | $2,398 |
| Median (50th) | $36,420 | $17.51 | $30,549 | $2,546 |
| 75th percentile | $38,290 | $18.41 | $31,970 | $2,664 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,760 | $21.52 | $36,884 | $3,074 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,420 buys in Fort Collins, CO
Prices in Fort Collins, CO are 1.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $30,549 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,209 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fort Collins, CO has 1.3× 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
Fort Collins, CO ranks #37 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 |
| 37 | Fort Collins, CO | $36,420 | $30,549 | $30,209 |
*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
- Boulder, CO — $43,380
- Colorado Springs, CO — $37,160
- Greeley, CO — $36,690
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Fort Collins, CO?
The median childcare worker salary in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area is $36,420 a year, or about $17.51 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,080 and $38,290.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Fort Collins, CO?
On the median $36,420 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $30,549 a year ($2,546 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $894 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Collins, CO a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 4% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 1.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,209 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Collins, CO ranks #37 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Fort Collins, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fort Collins, CO is $1,537 a month ($1,732 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.