Kentucky Median
$28,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.90
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#40 of 51
5,820 employed here
How much does a Childcare Worker make in Kentucky?
A Childcare Worker working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $28,920 per year, or about $13.90 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $34,980 for this occupation.
Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $21,860 while the top 10% make $39,550 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,500 and $35,060 a year.
Childcare Worker salary range in Kentucky
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,860 | $10.51 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $24,500 | $11.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $28,920 | $13.90 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $35,060 | $16.86 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,550 | $19.01 |
|
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks 40th 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 $40,750California $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 $29,140Texas $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 Kentucky
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 Kentucky pay ($28,920) 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 Kentucky?
The median Childcare Worker salary in Kentucky is $28,920 per year, or about $13.90 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,860 at the entry level to $39,550 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Childcare Workers about 17% less than the national median of $34,980. Kentucky ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,920 a year. About 5,820 Childcare Workers are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.