Childcare Worker Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$29,680
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#35 of 51
11,300 employed here

How much does a Childcare Worker make in Ohio?

Childcare Workers in Ohio take home a median of $29,680 annually — roughly $14.27 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $34,980.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $23,800 while the top 10% make $40,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,540 and $36,450 a year.

Childcare Worker salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$23,800$11.44
25th percentile (early career)$27,540$13.24
50th percentile (median)$29,680$14.27
75th percentile (experienced)$36,450$17.52
90th percentile (top earners)$40,390$19.42

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 35th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($29,680) 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 Ohio?
The median Childcare Worker salary in Ohio is $29,680 per year, or about $14.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,800 at the entry level to $40,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Childcare Workers about 15% less than the national median of $34,980. Ohio ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $29,680 a year. About 11,300 Childcare Workers are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.