Childcare Worker Salary in the United States

How much does a Childcare Worker make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Childcare Worker in the United States is $31,972 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $15.

However, a Childcare Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $36,897
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $29,395 to $34,550
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $27,048
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View as table View as graph 25% $29,395 10% $27,048 90% $36,897 75% $34,550 $31,972 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Childcare Worker Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $34,550 $2,879 $664 $17
Average $31,972 $2,664 $615 $15
25th Percentile $29,395 $2,450 $565 $14
Check out Childcare Worker Job Openings in the United States
Childcare Provider Peer Community Behavioral Health Worker

Integrated Services for Behavioral Health - 45651, OH

Pre Teacher Childcare Worker

World of Wonders - Marysville, OH

Occupational Therapist OT

NHC HealthCare Scott - LAWRENCEBURG, TN

Customer Service Representative

Senci Power USA Inc. - OLIVE BRANCH, MS

Search More Childcare Worker Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Childcare Worker Salaries

A Childcare Worker's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Childcare Workers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $40,327
  • San Francisco: $39,885
  • Oakland: $39,045

What Skills Can Increase a Childcare Worker's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 3.73% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Child Development (Mentioned in 9.81% Job Postings): Child development refers to the sequence of physical, language, thought and emotional changes that occur in a child from birth to the beginning of adulthood.
  • Early Childhood Education (Mentioned in 4.68% Job Postings): Early childhood education, also known as nursery education, is a branch of education theory that relates to the teaching of children from birth up to the age of eight.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.73%
Child Development 9.81%
Early Childhood Education 4.68%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Childcare Worker's salary.
  • Motivating: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Problem Solving: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Motivating
$36,768
15%
Coordination
$34,850
9%
Problem Solving
$34,530
8%
Accountability
$34,530
8%
Customer Service
$34,210
7%
Leadership
$33,891
6%
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Childcare Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Childcare Worker's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Childcare Worker

Salaries for a Childcare Worker can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $36,296 in 2023 to around $35,313 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Childcare Worker salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Childcare Worker Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$36,296
2024
$35,696
2025
$35,313
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $36,296
2024 $35,696
2025 $35,313
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Childcare Worker

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Childcare Worker

Here are companies hiring for Childcare Worker and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Childcare Worker Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Childcare Worker job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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