Childcare Worker Salary in Michigan (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$30,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.89
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-11% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#27 of 51
14,010 employed here

How much does a Childcare Worker make in Michigan?

A Childcare Worker working in Michigan earns a median salary of $30,970 per year, or about $14.89 per hour. That is 11% below the national median of $34,980 for this occupation.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $27,210 while the top 10% make $39,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $28,850 and $36,010 a year.

Childcare Worker salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$27,210$13.08
25th percentile (early career)$28,850$13.87
50th percentile (median)$30,970$14.89
75th percentile (experienced)$36,010$17.31
90th percentile (top earners)$39,340$18.91

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 27th 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 Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($30,970) 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 Michigan?
The median Childcare Worker salary in Michigan is $30,970 per year, or about $14.89 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,210 at the entry level to $39,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Childcare Workers about 11% less than the national median of $34,980. Michigan ranks 27th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,970 a year. About 14,010 Childcare Workers are employed in Michigan. 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 Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Childcare Worker salary report

Related salaries

Barber

$38,210
median pay · 15,000 employed

Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers

$32,910
median pay · 122,000 employed

Skincare Specialist

$45,330
median pay · 73,000 employed

Animal Trainer

$39,990
median pay · 19,000 employed

Manicurists and Pedicurists

$35,760
median pay · 153,000 employed
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.