Quick answer
Childcare Workers in California earned a median of $40,020 a year ($19.24 an hour) in May 2025, 14% above the national median of $34,980; 52,780 were employed there, ranking #5 of 54 states and territories by median pay, per BLS OEWS.
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| Measure | California | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $40,020 | $34,980 |
| Mean annual wage | $42,790 | $35,030 |
| Median hourly wage | $19.24 | $16.82 |
| 10th percentile | $35,340 | $24,260 |
| 25th percentile | $37,600 | $29,360 |
| 75th percentile | $46,320 | $38,570 |
| 90th percentile | $52,670 | $46,010 |
| Employment | 52,780 | 518,910 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 2.898 | — |
| Location quotient | 0.87 | 1.00 |
Related
- Childcare Workers salary in Alaska (May 2025)
- Childcare Workers salary in Arizona (May 2025)
- Childcare Workers salary in Arkansas (May 2025)
- Childcare Workers salary in Colorado (May 2025)
- Childcare Workers salary in Connecticut (May 2025)
- Childcare Workers salary in Delaware (May 2025)
- Childcare Workers salary in District of Columbia (May 2025)
- Childcare Workers salary in Florida (May 2025)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.