Childcare Worker Salary in Texas (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$28,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#41 of 51
34,160 employed here

How much does a Childcare Worker make in Texas?

A Childcare Worker working in Texas earns a median salary of $28,570 per year, or about $13.74 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $34,980 for this occupation.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $21,750 while the top 10% make $37,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,370 and $31,920 a year.

Childcare Worker salary range in Texas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$21,750$10.46
25th percentile (early career)$23,370$11.24
50th percentile (median)$28,570$13.74
75th percentile (experienced)$31,920$15.35
90th percentile (top earners)$37,290$17.93

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 41st 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($28,570) 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 Texas?
The median Childcare Worker salary in Texas is $28,570 per year, or about $13.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $21,750 at the entry level to $37,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Childcare Workers about 18% less than the national median of $34,980. Texas ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,570 a year. About 34,160 Childcare Workers are employed in Texas. 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 Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), 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.