District of Columbia Median
$47,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+35% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#1 of 51
1,350 employed here
How much does a Childcare Worker make in District of Columbia?
Childcare Workers in District of Columbia take home a median of $47,340 annually — roughly $22.76 an hour — which runs 35% above the national median of $34,980.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $39,050 while the top 10% make $56,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,300 and $56,040 a year.
Childcare Worker salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,050 | $18.77 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $40,300 | $19.38 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,340 | $22.76 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $56,040 | $26.94 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,790 | $27.30 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Childcare Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Childcare Worker salary in other states
Washington $41,680Massachusetts $40,900Colorado $40,750California $40,020Oregon $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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($47,340) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Childcare Worker salary in District of Columbia is $47,340 per year, or about $22.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,050 at the entry level to $56,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Childcare Workers about 35% more than the national median of $34,980. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Childcare Workers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,340 a year. About 1,350 Childcare Workers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.