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Child Care Aide Salary in the United States

How much does a Child Care Aide make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Child Care Aide in the United States is $32,969 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, a Child Care Aide's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $38,422
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $30,559 to $35,823
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,365
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Child Care Aide Salaries

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

How Do Child Care Aide Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Child Care Aides. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $36,503.
  • California: $36,364.
  • Massachusetts: $35,880.

Top Paying Cities for Child Care Aides

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: $41,583
  • San Francisco: $41,128
  • Oakland: $40,261

What Skills Can Increase a Child Care Aide'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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 3.73%
Child Development 9.81%
Early Childhood Education 4.68%
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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 Child Care Aide'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 $37,914
15%
Coordination $35,936
9%
Problem Solving $35,606
8%
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Child Care Aide Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Child Care Aide roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Child Care Aide positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Child Care Aide as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Child Care Aide

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$42,859$21.030%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$36,265$17.010%

Child Care Aide Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Child Care Aide'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 October 01, 2026
$30,559
Average $32,969/year
$35,823
$2,547
Average $2,747/month
$2,985
$588
Average $634/week
$689
$15
Average $16/hour
$17
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $35,823 $2,985 $689 $17
Average $32,969 $2,747 $634 $16
25th Percentile $30,559 $2,547 $588 $15

Most common benefits for Child Care Aide

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Child Care Aide

Here are companies hiring for Child Care Aide and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Child Care Aide

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Child Care Aide?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Child Care Aide roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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