Childcare Worker Salary in Tucson, AZ
Childcare Workers in the Tucson, AZ metro area earn a median $32,830 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $27,947 take-home, or $2,329 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Tucson, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,760
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,035
- Medicare (1.45%)$476
- Arizona income tax$612
- Take-home pay$27,947
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Tucson, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,810 | $14.81 | $26,374 | $2,198 |
| 25th percentile | $31,740 | $15.26 | $27,098 | $2,258 |
| Median (50th) | $32,830 | $15.78 | $27,947 | $2,329 |
| 75th percentile | $35,570 | $17.10 | $30,080 | $2,507 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,640 | $18.58 | $32,470 | $2,706 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,830 buys in Tucson, AZ
Prices in Tucson, AZ are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 8% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $27,947 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,842 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 Tucson, AZ than nationally (location quotient 0.53), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Tucson, AZ ranks #78 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 |
| 78 | Tucson, AZ | $32,830 | $27,947 | $28,842 |
*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 Arizona
- Phoenix, AZ — $35,760
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Tucson, AZ?
The median childcare worker salary in the Tucson, AZ metro area is $32,830 a year, or about $15.78 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $31,740 and $35,570.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Tucson, AZ?
On the median $32,830 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $27,947 a year ($2,329 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $612 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,842 would in a typical U.S. city. Tucson, AZ ranks #78 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Tucson, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tucson, AZ is $1,081 a month ($1,402 for two bedrooms) — 46% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $46,950
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $38,590
- Animal Caretaker — $36,870
- Recreation Worker — $36,050
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $31,410
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $30,870
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $30,580