Childcare Worker Salary in Lincoln, NE
Childcare Workers in the Lincoln, NE metro area earn a median $29,860 a year — 15% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,654 take-home, or $2,138 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Lincoln, NE. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,403
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,851
- Medicare (1.45%)$433
- Nebraska income tax$518
- Take-home pay$25,654
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.51% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Lincoln, NE
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,080 | $13.50 | $24,278 | $2,023 |
| 25th percentile | $28,960 | $13.92 | $24,963 | $2,080 |
| Median (50th) | $29,860 | $14.36 | $25,654 | $2,138 |
| 75th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 | $29,590 | $2,466 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,220 | $17.89 | $31,272 | $2,606 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Nebraska resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $29,860 buys in Lincoln, NE
Prices in Lincoln, NE are 8.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 16% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $25,654 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,013 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Lincoln, NE has 3.1× 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
Lincoln, NE ranks #93 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 |
| 93 | Lincoln, NE | $29,860 | $25,654 | $28,013 |
*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 Nebraska
- Omaha, NE — $31,330
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Lincoln, NE?
The median childcare worker salary in the Lincoln, NE metro area is $29,860 a year, or about $14.36 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,960 and $35,000.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Lincoln, NE?
On the median $29,860 salary, a single filer living in Nebraska takes home about $25,654 a year ($2,138 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $518 in Nebraska taxes in 2026.
Is Lincoln, NE a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 15% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 8.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,013 would in a typical U.S. city. Lincoln, NE ranks #93 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Lincoln, NE?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Lincoln, NE is $917 a month ($1,132 for two bedrooms) — 43% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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