Childcare Worker Salary in San Jose, CA
Childcare Workers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median $45,720 a year — 31% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,504 take-home, or $3,125 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in San Jose, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,306
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,835
- Medicare (1.45%)$663
- California income tax$818
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$594
- Take-home pay$37,504
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in San Jose, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,780 | $18.16 | $31,545 | $2,629 |
| 25th percentile | $41,750 | $20.07 | $34,524 | $2,877 |
| Median (50th) | $45,720 | $21.98 | $37,504 | $3,125 |
| 75th percentile | $54,900 | $26.39 | $44,235 | $3,686 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,670 | $30.13 | $49,911 | $4,159 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,720 buys in San Jose, CA
Prices in San Jose, CA are 10.4% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $37,504 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,964 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 San Jose, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.82).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
San Jose, CA ranks #4 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
- Modesto, CA — $41,920
- 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 San Jose, CA?
The median childcare worker salary in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $45,720 a year, or about $21.98 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $41,750 and $54,900.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in San Jose, CA?
On the median $45,720 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $37,504 a year ($3,125 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,412 in California taxes in 2026.
Is San Jose, CA a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 31% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 10.4% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,964 would in a typical U.S. city. San Jose, CA ranks #4 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in San Jose, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in San Jose, CA is $2,957 a month ($3,464 for two bedrooms) — 95% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in San Jose, CA
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $62,010
- Tour and Travel Guide — $59,330
- Recreation Worker — $57,580
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $57,040
- Gambling Dealer — $52,060
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $44,760
- Animal Caretaker — $44,070
- Skincare Specialist — $43,420
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $43,410
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $43,070
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $42,850