Childcare Worker Salary in Wichita, KS
Childcare Workers in the Wichita, KS metro area earn a median $28,210 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,038 take-home, or $2,003 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Wichita, KS. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,211
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,749
- Medicare (1.45%)$409
- Kansas income tax$803
- Take-home pay$24,038
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 5.20% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Wichita, KS
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,860 | $10.51 | $19,139 | $1,595 |
| 25th percentile | $24,290 | $11.68 | $21,014 | $1,751 |
| Median (50th) | $28,210 | $13.56 | $24,038 | $2,003 |
| 75th percentile | $30,070 | $14.46 | $25,441 | $2,120 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,560 | $17.10 | $29,567 | $2,464 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Kansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,210 buys in Wichita, KS
Prices in Wichita, KS are 11.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 34% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $24,038 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,025 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Wichita, 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
Wichita, KS ranks #123 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 |
| 123 | Wichita, KS | $28,210 | $24,038 | $27,025 |
*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
- Topeka, KS — $32,790
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Wichita, KS?
The median childcare worker salary in the Wichita, KS metro area is $28,210 a year, or about $13.56 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $24,290 and $30,070.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Wichita, KS?
On the median $28,210 salary, a single filer living in Kansas takes home about $24,038 a year ($2,003 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $803 in Kansas taxes in 2026.
Is Wichita, KS a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 11.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,025 would in a typical U.S. city. Wichita, KS ranks #123 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Wichita, KS?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Wichita, KS is $848 a month ($1,098 for two bedrooms) — 42% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Wichita, KS
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