Child Care Associate Salary in the United States

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

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Child Care Associate in the United States is $32,736 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $38,151
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $30,343 to $35,570
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,164
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View as table View as graph 25% $30,343 10% $28,164 90% $38,151 75% $35,570 $32,736 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Child Care Associate Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $35,570 $2,964 $684 $17
Average $32,736 $2,728 $630 $16
25th Percentile $30,343 $2,529 $584 $15
Check out Child Care Associate Job Openings in the United States
Auto Care Center Team Associate

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Child Care Program Leader

Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County - LOVELAND, CO

Substitute Child Care Group Leader

Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County - LOVELAND, CO

Resident Care Associate

The Phoenix At Union Hill - CANTON, GA

Search More Child Care Associate Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Child Care Associate Salaries

A Child Care Associate'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.

How Experience Level Affects Child Care Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Child Care Associate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $32,348
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $32,819
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $33,236
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $33,361
  • Expert (over 8 years): $33,444
Levels Salary
Entry Level Child Care Associate$32,348
Intermediate Level Child Care Associate$32,819
Senior Level Child Care Associate$33,236
Specialist Level Child Care Associate$33,361
Expert Level Child Care Associate$33,444
$32,348 0 yr
$32,819 < 2 yrs
$33,236 2-4 yrs
$33,361 5-8 yrs
$33,444 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Child Care Associate 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 Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $36,245.
  • California: $36,108.
  • Massachusetts: $35,626.

Top Paying Cities for Child Care Associates

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: $41,290
  • San Francisco: $40,884
  • Oakland: $39,977

What Skills Can Increase a Child Care Associate'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 Child Care Associate'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
$37,646
15%
Coordination
$35,682
9%
Problem Solving
$35,355
8%
Accountability
$35,355
8%
Customer Service
$35,027
7%
Leadership
$34,700
6%
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Child Care Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Child Care Associate'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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Child Care Associate

Salaries for a Child Care Associate can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $36,300 in 2023 to around $35,317 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Child Care Associate salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Child Care Associate Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$36,300
2024
$35,700
2025
$35,317
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $36,300
2024 $35,700
2025 $35,317
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Child Care Associate

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Child Care Associate

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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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