Childcare Worker Salary in Modesto, CA
Childcare Workers in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median $41,920 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $34,652 take-home, or $2,888 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Modesto, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,850
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,599
- Medicare (1.45%)$608
- California income tax$666
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$545
- Take-home pay$34,652
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Modesto, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,570 | $16.62 | $29,135 | $2,428 |
| 25th percentile | $37,840 | $18.19 | $31,590 | $2,632 |
| Median (50th) | $41,920 | $20.15 | $34,652 | $2,888 |
| 75th percentile | $44,820 | $21.55 | $36,828 | $3,069 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,160 | $24.12 | $40,772 | $3,398 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $41,920 buys in Modesto, CA
Prices in Modesto, CA are 4.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.08× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $34,652 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,284 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 Modesto, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.01).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Modesto, CA ranks #6 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 |
*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 California
- San Jose, CA — $45,720
- Santa Rosa, CA — $41,260
- San Francisco, CA — $44,540
- Stockton, CA — $40,010
- Riverside, CA — $40,210
- Visalia, CA — $37,190
- Salinas, CA — $39,520
- Bakersfield, CA — $36,190
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Modesto, CA?
The median childcare worker salary in the Modesto, CA metro area is $41,920 a year, or about $20.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,840 and $44,820.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Modesto, CA?
On the median $41,920 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $34,652 a year ($2,888 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,211 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Modesto, CA a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 4.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,284 would in a typical U.S. city. Modesto, CA ranks #6 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Modesto, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Modesto, CA is $1,356 a month ($1,758 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
- Recreation Worker — $37,230