Childcare Worker Salary in Florida (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Childcare Workers in Florida, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Florida Median
$34,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.45
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#23 of 51
21,760 employed here

How much does a Childcare Worker make in Florida?

Childcare Workers in Florida take home a median of $34,210 annually — roughly $16.45 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $34,980.

Within Florida, entry-level pay starts around $27,960 while the top 10% make $44,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,290 and $37,110 a year.

Childcare Worker salary range in Florida

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,960$13.44
25th percentile (early career)$30,290$14.56
50th percentile (median)$34,210$16.45
75th percentile (experienced)$37,110$17.84
90th percentile (top earners)$44,730$21.50

How Florida compares

Florida ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories for Childcare Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$47,340
2Washington$41,680
3Massachusetts$40,900
4Colorado$40,750
5California$40,020

Working as a Childcare Worker in Florida

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 Florida pay ($34,210) 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 Florida?
The median Childcare Worker salary in Florida is $34,210 per year, or about $16.45 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,960 at the entry level to $44,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Florida pay compare to the national average?
Florida pays Childcare Workers about 2% less than the national median of $34,980. Florida ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Florida a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,210 a year. About 21,760 Childcare Workers are employed in Florida. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Florida?
The highest-paying occupations in Florida include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($473,750), Anesthesiologist ($465,370), Surgeon, All Other ($429,990), 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.