Childcare Worker Salary in Grand Rapids, MI
Childcare Workers in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area earn a median $31,690 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,547 take-home, or $2,212 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Grand Rapids, MI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,623
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,965
- Medicare (1.45%)$460
- Michigan income tax$1,096
- Take-home pay$26,547
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.25% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Grand Rapids, MI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,940 | $12.95 | $22,901 | $1,908 |
| 25th percentile | $28,950 | $13.92 | $24,462 | $2,038 |
| Median (50th) | $31,690 | $15.24 | $26,547 | $2,212 |
| 75th percentile | $36,460 | $17.53 | $30,177 | $2,515 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,540 | $18.53 | $31,760 | $2,647 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Michigan resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,690 buys in Grand Rapids, MI
Prices in Grand Rapids, MI are 4.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $26,547 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,784 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 Grand Rapids, MI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Grand Rapids, MI ranks #99 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 |
| 99 | Grand Rapids, MI | $31,690 | $26,547 | $27,784 |
*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 Michigan
- Flint, MI — $31,930
- Lansing, MI — $32,000
- Ann Arbor, MI — $32,700
- Detroit, MI — $31,060
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Grand Rapids, MI?
The median childcare worker salary in the Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI metro area is $31,690 a year, or about $15.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,950 and $36,460.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Grand Rapids, MI?
On the median $31,690 salary, a single filer living in Michigan takes home about $26,547 a year ($2,212 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,096 in Michigan taxes in 2026.
Is Grand Rapids, MI a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 4.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,784 would in a typical U.S. city. Grand Rapids, MI ranks #99 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Grand Rapids, MI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Grand Rapids, MI is $1,242 a month ($1,479 for two bedrooms) — 56% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Grand Rapids, MI
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,740
- Recreation Worker — $35,970
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $35,900
- Animal Caretaker — $29,630
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $27,070