Childcare Worker Salary in Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$34,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#22 of 51
13,930 employed here

How much does a Childcare Worker make in Virginia?

Childcare Workers in Virginia take home a median of $34,330 annually — roughly $16.50 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $34,980.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $28,150 while the top 10% make $44,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,540 and $37,200 a year.

Childcare Worker salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$28,150$13.53
25th percentile (early career)$29,540$14.20
50th percentile (median)$34,330$16.50
75th percentile (experienced)$37,200$17.88
90th percentile (top earners)$44,100$21.20

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 22nd 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($34,330) 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 Virginia?
The median Childcare Worker salary in Virginia is $34,330 per year, or about $16.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $28,150 at the entry level to $44,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Childcare Workers about 2% less than the national median of $34,980. Virginia ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,330 a year. About 13,930 Childcare Workers are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.