Childcare Workers Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for childcare workers in the United States was $34,980 ($16.82 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,260 | $11.66 |
| 25th | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Median | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 75th | $38,570 | $18.55 |
| 90th | $46,010 | $22.12 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 39-9011
- Total U.S. employment: 518,910
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
The mean wage of $35,030 sits 0.1% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Across the United States, 518,910 childcare workers are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this one of the larger occupations in the national economy.
Childcare Workers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $22,720 | $10.92 | -35.0% | 4,580 |
| Alaska | $36,200 | $17.40 | +3.5% | 1,340 |
| Arizona | $35,100 | $16.88 | +0.3% | 5,530 |
| Arkansas | $28,450 | $13.68 | -18.7% | 5,400 |
| California | $40,020 | $19.24 | +14.4% | 52,780 |
| Colorado | $40,750 | $19.59 | +16.5% | 13,310 |
| Connecticut | $36,660 | $17.63 | +4.8% | 12,020 |
| Delaware | $33,210 | $15.97 | -5.1% | 1,230 |
| District of Columbia | $47,340 | $22.76 | +35.3% | 1,350 |
| Florida | $34,210 | $16.45 | -2.2% | 21,760 |
| Georgia | $28,020 | $13.47 | -19.9% | 21,040 |
| Hawaii | $37,030 | $17.80 | +5.9% | 1,870 |
| Idaho | $30,160 | $14.50 | -13.8% | 4,430 |
| Illinois | $35,830 | $17.23 | +2.4% | 23,900 |
| Indiana | $30,180 | $14.51 | -13.7% | 8,280 |
| Iowa | $28,420 | $13.66 | -18.8% | 6,020 |
| Kansas | $29,240 | $14.06 | -16.4% | 7,430 |
| Kentucky | $28,920 | $13.90 | -17.3% | 5,820 |
| Louisiana | $22,900 | $11.01 | -34.5% | 8,000 |
| Maine | $36,350 | $17.47 | +3.9% | 4,990 |
| Maryland | $36,030 | $17.32 | +3.0% | 9,750 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 | $19.66 | +16.9% | 13,140 |
| Michigan | $30,970 | $14.89 | -11.5% | 14,010 |
| Minnesota | $35,520 | $17.08 | +1.5% | 11,570 |
| Mississippi | $22,050 | $10.60 | -37.0% | 5,420 |
| Missouri | $30,790 | $14.80 | -12.0% | 12,430 |
| Montana | $35,120 | $16.89 | +0.4% | 2,190 |
| Nebraska | $30,740 | $14.78 | -12.1% | 9,390 |
| Nevada | $29,740 | $14.30 | -15.0% | 3,740 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 | $17.83 | +6.0% | 2,820 |
| New Jersey | $36,390 | $17.49 | +4.0% | 25,070 |
| New Mexico | $35,840 | $17.23 | +2.5% | 4,120 |
| New York | $37,590 | $18.07 | +7.5% | 44,020 |
| North Carolina | $29,140 | $14.01 | -16.7% | 12,550 |
| North Dakota | $30,290 | $14.56 | -13.4% | 4,030 |
| Ohio | $29,680 | $14.27 | -15.2% | 11,300 |
| Oklahoma | $27,730 | $13.33 | -20.7% | 7,590 |
| Oregon | $38,650 | $18.58 | +10.5% | 5,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,140 | $14.49 | -13.8% | 13,000 |
| Rhode Island | $36,940 | $17.76 | +5.6% | 1,800 |
| South Carolina | $29,650 | $14.26 | -15.2% | 10,660 |
| South Dakota | $27,940 | $13.43 | -20.1% | 2,370 |
| Tennessee | $29,660 | $14.26 | -15.2% | 13,650 |
| Texas | $28,570 | $13.73 | -18.3% | 34,160 |
| Utah | $31,630 | $15.21 | -9.6% | 4,830 |
| Vermont | $38,030 | $18.29 | +8.7% | 0 |
| Virginia | $34,330 | $16.51 | -1.9% | 13,930 |
| Washington | $41,680 | $20.04 | +19.2% | 4,340 |
| West Virginia | $27,710 | $13.32 | -20.8% | 1,930 |
| Wisconsin | $32,460 | $15.61 | -7.2% | 5,560 |
| Wyoming | $28,250 | $13.58 | -19.2% | 1,110 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,390/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for childcare workers?
The median annual wage for childcare workers is $34,980 ($16.82 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays childcare workers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many childcare workers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 518,910 childcare workers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do childcare workers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $16.82. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.