Childcare Worker Salary in Stockton, CA
Childcare Workers in the Stockton-Lodi, CA metro area earn a median $40,010 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $33,218 take-home, or $2,768 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Stockton, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,621
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,481
- Medicare (1.45%)$580
- California income tax$590
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$520
- Take-home pay$33,218
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.00% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Stockton, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,320 | $16.50 | $28,948 | $2,412 |
| 25th percentile | $36,740 | $17.66 | $30,764 | $2,564 |
| Median (50th) | $40,010 | $19.24 | $33,218 | $2,768 |
| 75th percentile | $44,850 | $21.56 | $36,851 | $3,071 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,560 | $23.83 | $40,334 | $3,361 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $40,010 buys in Stockton, CA
Prices in Stockton, CA are 5.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.16× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $33,218 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,610 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 Stockton, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Stockton, CA ranks #15 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 |
| 15 | Stockton, CA | $40,010 | $33,218 | $31,610 |
*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
- Modesto, CA — $41,920
- Santa Rosa, CA — $41,260
- San Francisco, CA — $44,540
- 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 Stockton, CA?
The median childcare worker salary in the Stockton-Lodi, CA metro area is $40,010 a year, or about $19.24 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,740 and $44,850.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Stockton, CA?
On the median $40,010 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $33,218 a year ($2,768 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,110 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Stockton, CA a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 5.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,610 would in a typical U.S. city. Stockton, CA ranks #15 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Stockton, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Stockton, CA is $1,395 a month ($1,742 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Stockton, CA
- Recreation Worker — $37,960
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $35,760
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $35,160