Childcare Workers Salary in California
Childcare Workers in California earn a median annual wage of $40,020 —14.4% above the national median of $34,980. That ranks CA #5 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.87×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for childcare workers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $47,340 | $22.76 | 1,350 | 0.58 |
| 2 | Washington | $41,680 | $20.04 | 4,340 | 0.37 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $40,900 | $19.66 | 13,140 | 1.08 |
| 4 | Colorado | $40,750 | $19.59 | 13,310 | 1.39 |
| 5 | California | $40,020 | $19.24 | 52,780 | 0.87 |
| 6 | Oregon | $38,650 | $18.58 | 5,240 | 0.80 |
| 7 | Vermont | $38,030 | $18.29 | — | — |
| 8 | New York | $37,590 | $18.07 | 44,020 | 1.36 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $37,080 | $17.83 | 2,820 | 1.24 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $37,030 | $17.80 | 1,870 | 0.89 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $32,150 |
| Recreation Workers | $39,780 | $36,560 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $57,990 | $47,160 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $35,790 |
| Animal Caretakers | $38,700 | $35,360 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $35,760 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do childcare workers make in California?
The median annual wage for childcare workers in California is $40,020, or $19.24 per hour. That is 14.4% above the national median of $34,980.
What is the entry-level childcare workers salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $35,340 per year ($16.99/hour). The 25th percentile is $37,600.
How many people work as childcare workers in California?
About 52,780 people work in this occupation in California, or 2.9 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for childcare workers?
California ranks #5 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.87x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays childcare workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $47,340 per year, followed by Washington ($41,680) and Massachusetts ($40,900).