Childcare Worker Salary in Worcester, MA
Childcare Workers in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median $39,300 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,013 take-home, or $2,668 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median childcare worker salary in Worcester, MA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,536
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,437
- Medicare (1.45%)$570
- Massachusetts income tax$1,745
- Take-home pay$32,013
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Childcare Worker pay by experience in Worcester, MA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 | $26,693 | $2,224 |
| 25th percentile | $35,550 | $17.09 | $29,187 | $2,432 |
| Median (50th) | $39,300 | $18.89 | $32,013 | $2,668 |
| 75th percentile | $46,370 | $22.29 | $37,340 | $3,112 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,780 | $22.97 | $38,402 | $3,200 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Massachusetts resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,300 buys in Worcester, MA
Prices in Worcester, MA are 2.5% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.13× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median childcare worker's $32,013 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,225 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 about as common in Worcester, MA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for childcare workers, adjusted for cost of living
Worcester, MA ranks #21 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 |
| 21 | Worcester, MA | $39,300 | $32,013 | $31,225 |
*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 Massachusetts
- Springfield, MA — $36,910
- Boston, MA — $41,590
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Worcester, MA?
The median childcare worker salary in the Worcester, MA metro area is $39,300 a year, or about $18.89 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,550 and $46,370.
What is a childcare worker’s take-home pay in Worcester, MA?
On the median $39,300 salary, a single filer living in Massachusetts takes home about $32,013 a year ($2,668 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,745 in Massachusetts taxes in 2026.
Is Worcester, MA a good place to work as a childcare worker?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $34,980. Local prices are 2.5% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,225 would in a typical U.S. city. Worcester, MA ranks #21 of 171 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a childcare worker afford rent in Worcester, MA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Worcester, MA is $1,558 a month ($1,997 for two bedrooms) — 58% of a median childcare worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
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- Residential Advisor — $47,010
- Recreation Worker — $37,950
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