Childcare Worker Salary in St. Louis, MO
Childcare Workers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median $33,320 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $28,324 take-home, or $2,360 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in St. Louis, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,818
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,066
- Medicare (1.45%)$483
- Missouri income tax$629
- Take-home pay$28,324
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
The St. Louis, MO-IL metro spans Missouri, Illinois. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Childcare Worker pay by experience in St. Louis, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,370 | $14.12 | $25,336 | $2,111 |
| 25th percentile | $30,360 | $14.60 | $26,085 | $2,174 |
| Median (50th) | $33,320 | $16.02 | $28,324 | $2,360 |
| 75th percentile | $36,670 | $17.63 | $30,858 | $2,572 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,230 | $20.78 | $35,821 | $2,985 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,320 buys in St. Louis, MO
Prices in St. Louis, MO are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $28,324 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,787 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
St. Louis, MO has 1.3× 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
St. Louis, MO ranks #53 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 |
| 53 | St. Louis, MO | $33,320 | $28,324 | $29,787 |
*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 Missouri
- Kansas City, MO — $31,770
- Springfield, MO — $29,610
- Columbia, MO — $29,070
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in St. Louis, MO?
The median childcare worker salary in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $33,320 a year, or about $16.02 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,360 and $36,670.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in St. Louis, MO?
On the median $33,320 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $28,324 a year ($2,360 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $629 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,787 would in a typical U.S. city. St. Louis, MO ranks #53 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in St. Louis, MO is $989 a month ($1,211 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $46,490
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $45,940
- Skincare Specialist — $45,590
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $40,840
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $36,500
- Residential Advisor — $36,450
- Recreation Worker — $33,750
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $33,350
- Tour and Travel Guide — $31,980
- Animal Caretaker — $31,530
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $31,200
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $31,200