Childcare Workers pay in Illinois
In Illinois, the median pay for childcare workers is $17.23 an hour ($35,830 a year). About 23,900 people work in this job there.
That is 2% higher than the U.S. median ($34,980). Illinois ranks 18th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for childcare workers in Illinois
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| 25% of workers | $15.63 | $32,510 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.23 | $35,830 |
| 75% of workers | $18.26 | $37,980 |
| 90% of workers | $21.62 | $44,980 |
Childcare Workers pay in Illinois metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $36,610 | 17,540 |
| Springfield | $35,170 | 380 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $34,990 | 530 |
| Decatur | $34,740 | 100 |
| Rockford | $33,560 | 500 |
| Peoria | $33,340 | 600 |
| Bloomington | $33,140 | 520 |
| Kankakee | $32,820 | 210 |
Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 Illinois
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: 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.