California Median
$40,020
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+14% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#5 of 51
52,780 employed here
How much does a Childcare Worker make in California?
A Childcare Worker working in California earns a median salary of $40,020 per year, or about $19.24 per hour. That is 14% above the national median of $34,980 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,340 while the top 10% make $52,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,600 and $46,320 a year.
Childcare Worker salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,340 | $16.99 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,600 | $18.08 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $40,020 | $19.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,320 | $22.27 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,670 | $25.32 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories for Childcare Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Childcare Worker salary in other states
District of Columbia $47,340Washington $41,680Massachusetts $40,900Colorado $40,750Oregon $38,650Vermont $38,030New York $37,590New Hampshire $37,080Hawaii $37,030Rhode Island $36,940Connecticut $36,660New Jersey $36,390Maine $36,350Alaska $36,200Maryland $36,030New Mexico $35,840Illinois $35,830Minnesota $35,520Montana $35,120Arizona $35,100Virginia $34,330Florida $34,210Delaware $33,210Wisconsin $32,460Utah $31,630Michigan $30,970Missouri $30,790Nebraska $30,740North Dakota $30,290Indiana $30,180Idaho $30,160Pennsylvania $30,140Nevada $29,740Ohio $29,680Tennessee $29,660South Carolina $29,650Kansas $29,240North Carolina $29,140Kentucky $28,920Texas $28,570Arkansas $28,450Iowa $28,420Wyoming $28,250Georgia $28,020South Dakota $27,940Oklahoma $27,730West Virginia $27,710Louisiana $22,900Alabama $22,720Mississippi $22,050
Working as a Childcare Worker in California
Nationally, about 519,000 people work as Childcare Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($40,020) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Childcare Worker make in California?
The median Childcare Worker salary in California is $40,020 per year, or about $19.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,340 at the entry level to $52,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Childcare Workers about 14% more than the national median of $34,980. California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Childcare Workers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $40,020 a year. About 52,780 Childcare Workers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Childcare Worker salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.