Childcare Worker Salary in Waterbury, CT
Childcare Workers in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area earn a median $35,670 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,161 take-home, or $2,513 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Waterbury, CT. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,100
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,212
- Medicare (1.45%)$517
- Connecticut income tax$680
- Take-home pay$30,161
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.50% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Waterbury, CT
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,590 | $16.63 | $29,342 | $2,445 |
| 25th percentile | $35,050 | $16.85 | $29,690 | $2,474 |
| Median (50th) | $35,670 | $17.15 | $30,161 | $2,513 |
| 75th percentile | $36,800 | $17.69 | $31,018 | $2,585 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,420 | $20.88 | $36,039 | $3,003 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Connecticut resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $35,670 buys in Waterbury, CT
Prices in Waterbury, CT are 0.2% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $30,161 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,228 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Waterbury, CT has 2.5× 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
Waterbury, CT ranks #36 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 |
| 36 | Waterbury, CT | $35,670 | $30,161 | $30,228 |
*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 Connecticut
- Norwich, CT — $35,950
- Bridgeport, CT — $38,020
- Hartford, CT — $35,920
- New Haven, CT — $36,550
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Waterbury, CT?
The median childcare worker salary in the Waterbury-Shelton, CT metro area is $35,670 a year, or about $17.15 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,050 and $36,800.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Waterbury, CT?
On the median $35,670 salary, a single filer living in Connecticut takes home about $30,161 a year ($2,513 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $680 in Connecticut taxes in 2026.
Is Waterbury, CT a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 0.2% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,228 would in a typical U.S. city. Waterbury, CT ranks #36 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Waterbury, CT?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Waterbury, CT is $1,445 a month ($1,788 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Waterbury, CT
- Recreation Worker — $34,990
- Manicurist and Pedicurist — $34,320