How much does a childcare worker make?
The median childcare worker in the United States earns $32,050 per year, about $15.41 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all childcare workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 39-9011.
Childcare worker salary range
Pay for childcare workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $22,900 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $44,560. The average (mean) wage of $33,140 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $22,900 | $11.01 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $28,000 | $13.46 | |
| Median (50th) | $32,050 | $15.41 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $36,960 | $17.77 | |
| 90th percentile | $44,560 | $21.42 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for childcare workers (SOC 39-9011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Childcare worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Childcare workers earn the most in District of Columbia at $45,400 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $21,760. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $45,400 | 1,010 |
| Massachusetts | $39,290 | 12,370 |
| Colorado | $38,410 | 11,560 |
| California | $38,220 | 47,190 |
| Vermont | $37,830 | 1,120 |
| Washington | $37,800 | 4,300 |
| New York | $36,630 | 42,780 |
| Hawaii | $36,440 | 1,860 |
| Oregon | $36,250 | 4,230 |
| Connecticut | $35,290 | 9,630 |
| Maryland | $35,150 | 8,910 |
| Arizona | $35,140 | 6,190 |
| Alaska | $34,980 | 1,260 |
| Rhode Island | $34,920 | 2,390 |
| Maine | $34,720 | 4,110 |
| New Hampshire | $34,570 | 2,530 |
| New Jersey | $34,290 | 23,680 |
| New Mexico | $34,240 | 3,460 |
| Minnesota | $33,610 | 10,910 |
| Illinois | $32,860 | 22,540 |
| Montana | $31,440 | 2,070 |
| Florida | $30,880 | 21,790 |
| Utah | $30,860 | 3,910 |
| North Dakota | $30,390 | 3,870 |
| Virginia | $30,150 | 14,150 |
| Delaware | $30,060 | 1,270 |
| Missouri | $29,810 | 10,600 |
| Wisconsin | $29,670 | 3,910 |
| Indiana | $29,340 | 8,790 |
| Michigan | $29,290 | 14,760 |
| Nevada | $29,140 | 3,150 |
| Idaho | $29,110 | 5,500 |
| Tennessee | $29,030 | 13,190 |
| Nebraska | $28,860 | 9,070 |
| Kansas | $28,800 | 7,180 |
| Kentucky | $28,570 | 7,510 |
| Texas | $28,520 | 45,020 |
| North Carolina | $28,480 | 12,200 |
| South Carolina | $28,440 | 11,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $28,330 | 14,410 |
| Ohio | $28,230 | 12,580 |
| Georgia | $27,940 | 25,650 |
| Iowa | $27,930 | 5,870 |
| Wyoming | $27,560 | 1,330 |
| Arkansas | $27,180 | 6,200 |
| South Dakota | $26,870 | 2,640 |
| Oklahoma | $26,210 | 9,550 |
| West Virginia | $23,870 | 1,500 |
| Alabama | $22,420 | 4,880 |
| Louisiana | $22,100 | 9,150 |
| Mississippi | $21,760 | 4,920 |
State median wages for childcare workers (SOC 39-9011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for childcare workers
The BLS projects employment of childcare workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 2%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 1,010,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 990,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 150,300 openings a year for childcare workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a childcare worker
The typical entry-level education for childcare workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a childcare worker earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $45,400) and the lowest (Mississippi, $21,760) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 520,180 people work as childcare workers in the United States. At $32,050 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Childcare worker salary FAQ
How much does a childcare worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a childcare worker is $15.41. The middle half of childcare workers earn between $13.46 and $17.77 per hour.
What is the highest childcare worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of childcare workers earn more than $44,560 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a childcare worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a childcare worker is $32,050. The average (mean) wage of $33,140 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a childcare worker a well paid job?
At $32,050 a year, a childcare worker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 520,180 people work as childcare workers in the United States.
Which state pays childcare workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for childcare workers at $45,400 a year. Massachusetts ($39,290) and Colorado ($38,410) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a childcare worker a good career?
Employment of childcare workers is projected to shrink 2% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 150,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a childcare worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for childcare workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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