Childcare Worker Salary in Jonesboro, AR
Childcare Workers in the Jonesboro, AR metro area earn a median $28,550 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,219 take-home, or $2,018 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Jonesboro, AR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,246
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,770
- Medicare (1.45%)$414
- Arkansas income tax$901
- Take-home pay$24,219
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.90% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Jonesboro, AR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,910 | $11.98 | $21,365 | $1,780 |
| 25th percentile | $27,710 | $13.32 | $23,561 | $1,963 |
| Median (50th) | $28,550 | $13.73 | $24,219 | $2,018 |
| 75th percentile | $29,450 | $14.16 | $24,907 | $2,076 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $33,750 | $16.23 | $28,195 | $2,350 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arkansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,550 buys in Jonesboro, AR
Prices in Jonesboro, AR are 14.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 46% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $24,219 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,203 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Jonesboro, AR has 2.5× 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
Jonesboro, AR ranks #88 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 |
| 88 | Jonesboro, AR | $28,550 | $24,219 | $28,203 |
*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 Arkansas
- Fayetteville, AR — $30,210
- Little Rock, AR — $28,800
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Jonesboro, AR?
The median childcare worker salary in the Jonesboro, AR metro area is $28,550 a year, or about $13.73 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,710 and $29,450.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Jonesboro, AR?
On the median $28,550 salary, a single filer living in Arkansas takes home about $24,219 a year ($2,018 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $901 in Arkansas taxes in 2026.
Is Jonesboro, AR a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,203 would in a typical U.S. city. Jonesboro, AR ranks #88 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Jonesboro, AR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Jonesboro, AR is $838 a month ($1,013 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.