Childcare Worker Salary in Topeka, KS
Childcare Workers in the Topeka, KS metro area earn a median $32,790 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,485 take-home, or $2,290 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Topeka, KS. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,755
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,033
- Medicare (1.45%)$475
- Kansas income tax$1,041
- Take-home pay$27,485
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.20% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Topeka, KS
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,430 | $10.30 | $18,807 | $1,567 |
| 25th percentile | $27,580 | $13.26 | $23,552 | $1,963 |
| Median (50th) | $32,790 | $15.76 | $27,485 | $2,290 |
| 75th percentile | $39,340 | $18.91 | $32,394 | $2,700 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,580 | $19.03 | $32,574 | $2,714 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,790 buys in Topeka, KS
Prices in Topeka, KS are 11.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 35% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $27,485 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,945 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Topeka, KS has 1.4× 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
Topeka, KS ranks #26 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 |
| 26 | Topeka, KS | $32,790 | $27,485 | $30,945 |
*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 Kansas
- Wichita, KS — $28,210
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Topeka, KS?
The median childcare worker salary in the Topeka, KS metro area is $32,790 a year, or about $15.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,580 and $39,340.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Topeka, KS?
On the median $32,790 salary, a single filer living in Kansas takes home about $27,485 a year ($2,290 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,041 in Kansas taxes in 2026.
Is Topeka, KS a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 11.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,945 would in a typical U.S. city. Topeka, KS ranks #26 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Topeka, KS?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Topeka, KS is $820 a month ($1,057 for two bedrooms) — 36% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.