Childcare Worker Salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Childcare Workers in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median $30,050 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,468 take-home, or $2,122 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Fort Wayne, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,426
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,863
- Medicare (1.45%)$436
- Indiana income tax$857
- Take-home pay$25,468
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Fort Wayne, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,690 | $11.39 | $20,449 | $1,704 |
| 25th percentile | $27,770 | $13.35 | $23,689 | $1,974 |
| Median (50th) | $30,050 | $14.45 | $25,468 | $2,122 |
| 75th percentile | $34,940 | $16.80 | $29,253 | $2,438 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,370 | $18.45 | $31,908 | $2,659 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $30,050 buys in Fort Wayne, IN
Prices in Fort Wayne, IN are 7.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $25,468 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,512 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 Fort Wayne, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.91).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Fort Wayne, IN ranks #110 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 |
| 110 | Fort Wayne, IN | $30,050 | $25,468 | $27,512 |
*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 Indiana
- Indianapolis, IN — $30,650
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The median childcare worker salary in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $30,050 a year, or about $14.45 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,770 and $34,940.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Fort Wayne, IN?
On the median $30,050 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $25,468 a year ($2,122 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $857 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Wayne, IN a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 7.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,512 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Wayne, IN ranks #110 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Fort Wayne, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fort Wayne, IN is $906 a month ($1,105 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fort Wayne, IN
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $30,630
- Recreation Worker — $29,980
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $29,950
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,060