Median Salary
$34,980
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$16.82
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$46,010
entry level starts ~$24,260
Pay Grade
C
below-average pay · 519,000 employed
How much does a Childcare Worker make?
The median pay for a Childcare Worker in the United States is $34,980 per year — about $16.82 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $24,260, while the most experienced Childcare Workers in the top 10% earn $46,010.
That is $26,410 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Childcare Worker salary range by percentile
Half of all Childcare Workers earn between $29,360 and $38,570 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,260 | $11.66 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,360 | $14.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,980 | $16.82 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,570 | $18.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,010 | $22.12 |
|
Highest-paying states for Childcare Worker
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Childcare Worker pay at $47,340 a year, followed by Washington ($41,680) and Massachusetts ($40,900). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $22,050 — a gap of $25,290 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Childcare Worker salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
District of Columbia $47,340Washington $41,680Massachusetts $40,900Colorado $40,750California $40,020Oregon $38,650Vermont $38,030New York $37,590New Hampshire $37,080Hawaii $37,030Rhode Island $36,940Connecticut $36,660New Jersey $36,390Maine $36,350Alaska $36,200Maryland $36,030New Mexico $35,840Illinois $35,830Minnesota $35,520Montana $35,120Arizona $35,100Virginia $34,330Florida $34,210Delaware $33,210Wisconsin $32,460Utah $31,630Michigan $30,970Missouri $30,790Nebraska $30,740North Dakota $30,290Indiana $30,180Idaho $30,160Pennsylvania $30,140Nevada $29,740Ohio $29,680Tennessee $29,660South Carolina $29,650Kansas $29,240North Carolina $29,140Kentucky $28,920Texas $28,570Arkansas $28,450Iowa $28,420Wyoming $28,250Georgia $28,020South Dakota $27,940Oklahoma $27,730West Virginia $27,710Louisiana $22,900Alabama $22,720Mississippi $22,050
Workforce and education
About 519,000 people work as Childcare Workers in the United States. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Childcare Worker make in the United States?
The median Childcare Worker salary in the United States is $34,980 per year, or about $16.82 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $24,260, while the top 10% of earners make $46,010 or more.
How does Childcare Worker pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of C (below-average pay), the Childcare Worker median of $34,980 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Childcare Workers the most?
District of Columbia is the highest-paying state for Childcare Workers, with a median salary of $47,340 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Childcare Worker?
Becoming a Childcare Worker typically requires a high school diploma. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
How many Childcare Workers work in the United States?
About 519,000 people were employed as Childcare Workers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.