Childcare Workers pay in the United States

In the U.S., the median pay for childcare workers is $16.82 an hour ($34,980 a year). About 518,910 people work in this job there.

$16.82Median hourly pay
$29,360–$38,570Middle half of workers, yearly
518,910People in this job in the U.S.

Pay range for childcare workers in the U.S.

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$11.66$24,260
25% of workers$14.12$29,360
Half of workers (median)$16.82$34,980
75% of workers$18.55$38,570
90% of workers$22.12$46,010

Best-paying states for childcare workers

StateMedian yearly payPeople in this job
District of Columbia$47,3401,350
Washington$41,6804,340
Massachusetts$40,90013,140
Colorado$40,75013,310
California$40,02052,780
Oregon$38,6505,240
Vermont$38,0300
New York$37,59044,020
New Hampshire$37,0802,820
Hawaii$37,0301,870

Pay by state

Education, experience and outlook for childcare workers

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
  • Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: -2% over ten years, declining · about 150,300 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in the U.S.

JobMedian yearly pay
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38,140
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$74,260
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$62,680
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$59,300
Health Education Specialists$64,070
Special Education Teachers, Preschool$64,830
Recreation Workers$36,560
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$47,160

Other job titles for this job

House ManagerFamily ManagerChildren S AideDaycare TeacherInfant TeacherToddler TeacherNursery SupervisorCare AssistantAfter School CoordinatorAfter School CounselorBaby AttendantBaby Sitter

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.