Childcare Worker Salary in Tampa, FL
Childcare Workers in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area earn a median $33,530 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,121 take-home, or $2,427 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Tampa, FL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,844
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,079
- Medicare (1.45%)$486
- Florida income tax$0
- Take-home pay$29,121
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Tampa, FL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,440 | $14.15 | $25,835 | $2,153 |
| 25th percentile | $30,000 | $14.42 | $26,285 | $2,190 |
| Median (50th) | $33,530 | $16.12 | $29,121 | $2,427 |
| 75th percentile | $36,430 | $17.51 | $31,452 | $2,621 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,650 | $19.06 | $34,039 | $2,837 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Florida resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $33,530 buys in Tampa, FL
Prices in Tampa, FL are 0.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.26× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $29,121 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,864 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 less concentrated in Tampa, FL than nationally (location quotient 0.71), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Tampa, FL ranks #77 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 |
| 77 | Tampa, FL | $33,530 | $29,121 | $28,864 |
*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 Florida
- North Port, FL — $47,300
- Jacksonville, FL — $35,210
- Deltona, FL — $34,620
- Palm Bay, FL — $33,460
- Cape Coral, FL — $32,310
- Orlando, FL — $31,200
- Miami, FL — $34,750
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Tampa, FL?
The median childcare worker salary in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metro area is $33,530 a year, or about $16.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $30,000 and $36,430.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Tampa, FL?
On the median $33,530 salary, a single filer living in Florida takes home about $29,121 a year ($2,427 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Tampa, FL a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 0.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,864 would in a typical U.S. city. Tampa, FL ranks #77 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Tampa, FL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tampa, FL is $1,696 a month ($1,977 for two bedrooms) — 70% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tampa, FL
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $49,180
- First-Line Supervisor of Personal Service Workers — $46,250
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $45,490
- Skincare Specialist — $43,920
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $38,330
- Recreation Worker — $36,840
- Animal Caretaker — $34,490
- Concierge — $32,750
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $29,520
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $29,380
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $28,660