Childcare Worker Salary in Rochester, MN
Childcare Workers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median $34,510 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,881 take-home, or $2,407 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Rochester, MN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,961
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,140
- Medicare (1.45%)$500
- Minnesota income tax$1,028
- Take-home pay$28,881
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.35% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Rochester, MN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,880 | $12.92 | $23,126 | $1,927 |
| 25th percentile | $29,430 | $14.15 | $25,071 | $2,089 |
| Median (50th) | $34,510 | $16.59 | $28,881 | $2,407 |
| 75th percentile | $37,430 | $18.00 | $31,071 | $2,589 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,580 | $19.03 | $32,684 | $2,724 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Minnesota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,510 buys in Rochester, MN
Prices in Rochester, MN are 9.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $28,881 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,800 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rochester, MN 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
Rochester, MN ranks #12 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 |
| 12 | Rochester, MN | $34,510 | $28,881 | $31,800 |
*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 Minnesota
- St. Cloud, MN — $34,030
- Duluth, MN — $30,960
- Minneapolis, MN — $36,310
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Rochester, MN?
The median childcare worker salary in the Rochester, MN metro area is $34,510 a year, or about $16.59 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $29,430 and $37,430.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Rochester, MN?
On the median $34,510 salary, a single filer living in Minnesota takes home about $28,881 a year ($2,407 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,028 in Minnesota taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, MN a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 9.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,800 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, MN ranks #12 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Rochester, MN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, MN is $1,124 a month ($1,332 for two bedrooms) — 47% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.