Childcare Worker Salary in West Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$27,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.32
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#48 of 51
1,930 employed here

How much does a Childcare Worker make in West Virginia?

Childcare Workers in West Virginia take home a median of $27,710 annually — roughly $13.32 an hour — which runs 21% below the national median of $34,980.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $22,170 while the top 10% make $35,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,470 and $28,640 a year.

Childcare Worker salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$22,170$10.66
25th percentile (early career)$23,470$11.28
50th percentile (median)$27,710$13.32
75th percentile (experienced)$28,640$13.77
90th percentile (top earners)$35,890$17.25

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 48th 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 West 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 West Virginia pay ($27,710) 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 West Virginia?
The median Childcare Worker salary in West Virginia is $27,710 per year, or about $13.32 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,170 at the entry level to $35,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Childcare Workers about 21% less than the national median of $34,980. West Virginia ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $27,710 a year. About 1,930 Childcare Workers are employed in West 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.