Quick answer
The median annual wage for childcare workers in the US was $34,980 in May 2025 (mean $35,030), with 518,910 people employed, per BLS. Among states, District of Columbia paid the highest median ($47,340) and Guam the lowest ($22,020).
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| State | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,340 | $48,360 | 1350 |
| Washington | $41,680 | $42,400 | 4340 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 | $42,580 | 13140 |
| Colorado | $40,750 | $42,410 | 13310 |
| California | $40,020 | $42,790 | 52780 |
| Oregon | $38,650 | $39,170 | 5240 |
| Vermont | $38,030 | $39,380 | — |
| New York | $37,590 | $39,690 | 44020 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 | $36,360 | 2820 |
| Hawaii | $37,030 | $38,210 | 1870 |
| Rhode Island | $36,940 | $36,530 | 1800 |
| Connecticut | $36,660 | $38,190 | 12020 |
| New Jersey | $36,390 | $37,640 | 25070 |
| Maine | $36,350 | $37,280 | 4990 |
| Alaska | $36,200 | $37,640 | 1340 |
| Maryland | $36,030 | $38,030 | 9750 |
| New Mexico | $35,840 | $35,510 | 4120 |
| Illinois | $35,830 | $36,560 | 23900 |
| Minnesota | $35,520 | $35,720 | 11570 |
| Montana | $35,120 | $33,540 | 2190 |
| Arizona | $35,100 | $36,350 | 5530 |
| Virginia | $34,330 | $35,070 | 13930 |
| Florida | $34,210 | $35,830 | 21760 |
| Delaware | $33,210 | $34,450 | 1230 |
| Wisconsin | $32,460 | $33,420 | 5560 |
| Utah | $31,630 | $32,710 | 4830 |
| Michigan | $30,970 | $33,100 | 14010 |
| Missouri | $30,790 | $33,240 | 12430 |
| Nebraska | $30,740 | $32,670 | 9390 |
| North Dakota | $30,290 | $32,000 | 4030 |
| Indiana | $30,180 | $31,330 | 8280 |
| Idaho | $30,160 | $31,600 | 4430 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,140 | $31,510 | 13000 |
| Nevada | $29,740 | $32,030 | 3740 |
| Ohio | $29,680 | $31,930 | 11300 |
| Tennessee | $29,660 | $30,720 | 13650 |
| South Carolina | $29,650 | $30,600 | 10660 |
| Kansas | $29,240 | $30,430 | 7430 |
| North Carolina | $29,140 | $30,940 | 12550 |
| Kentucky | $28,920 | $30,520 | 5820 |
| Texas | $28,570 | $29,050 | 34160 |
| Arkansas | $28,450 | $28,930 | 5400 |
| Iowa | $28,420 | $29,280 | 6020 |
| Wyoming | $28,250 | $31,340 | 1110 |
| Georgia | $28,020 | $28,770 | 21040 |
| Virgin Islands | $28,010 | $28,880 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $27,940 | $29,720 | 2370 |
| Oklahoma | $27,730 | $29,170 | 7590 |
| West Virginia | $27,710 | $27,310 | 1930 |
| Louisiana | $22,900 | $25,470 | 8000 |
| Alabama | $22,720 | $25,120 | 4580 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,600 | $24,180 | 1960 |
| Mississippi | $22,050 | $24,310 | 5420 |
| Guam | $22,020 | $23,970 | — |
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Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.