Childcare Worker Salary in Lafayette, LA
Childcare Workers in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median $21,840 a year — 38% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $19,326 take-home, or $1,611 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Lafayette, LA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$574
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,354
- Medicare (1.45%)$317
- Louisiana income tax$269
- Take-home pay$19,326
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 3.00% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Lafayette, LA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $17,860 | $8.59 | $16,168 | $1,347 |
| 25th percentile | $20,930 | $10.06 | $18,604 | $1,550 |
| Median (50th) | $21,840 | $10.50 | $19,326 | $1,611 |
| 75th percentile | $28,010 | $13.47 | $24,222 | $2,019 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $29,710 | $14.28 | $25,547 | $2,129 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Louisiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $21,840 buys in Lafayette, LA
Prices in Lafayette, LA are 12.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 41% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $19,326 take-home pay has the buying power of $22,161 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lafayette, LA has 1.6× 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
Lafayette, LA ranks #164 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 |
| 164 | Lafayette, LA | $21,840 | $19,326 | $22,161 |
*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 Louisiana
- New Orleans, LA — $27,630
- Baton Rouge, LA — $25,550
- Shreveport, LA — $22,590
- Slidell, LA — $22,610
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Lafayette, LA?
The median childcare worker salary in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $21,840 a year, or about $10.50 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $20,930 and $28,010.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Lafayette, LA?
On the median $21,840 salary, a single filer living in Louisiana takes home about $19,326 a year ($1,611 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $269 in Louisiana taxes in 2026.
Is Lafayette, LA a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 38% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 12.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $22,161 would in a typical U.S. city. Lafayette, LA ranks #164 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Lafayette, LA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lafayette, LA is $847 a month ($974 for two bedrooms) — 53% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.