Childcare Worker Salary in Indiana (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$30,180
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#31 of 51
8,280 employed here

How much does a Childcare Worker make in Indiana?

A Childcare Worker working in Indiana earns a median salary of $30,180 per year, or about $14.51 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $34,980 for this occupation.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $23,880 while the top 10% make $38,250 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,030 and $34,860 a year.

Childcare Worker salary range in Indiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$23,880$11.48
25th percentile (early career)$28,030$13.48
50th percentile (median)$30,180$14.51
75th percentile (experienced)$34,860$16.76
90th percentile (top earners)$38,250$18.39

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 31st 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 Indiana

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 Indiana pay ($30,180) 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 Indiana?
The median Childcare Worker salary in Indiana is $30,180 per year, or about $14.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,880 at the entry level to $38,250 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Childcare Workers about 14% less than the national median of $34,980. Indiana ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,180 a year. About 8,280 Childcare Workers are employed in Indiana. 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 Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), 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.