Childcare Workers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,340
- 25th Percentile — Junior$37,600
- 50th Percentile — Median$40,020
- 75th Percentile — Senior$46,320
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$52,670
Half of Childcare Workers in California earn more than $40,020. The top 10% make $52,670 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,340.
Childcare Workers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 2nd of 51 states for Childcare Workers pay, at $42,790 per year (22.2% above the U.S. average of $35,030).
- 52,780 people work as Childcare Workers in California — 10.2% of all U.S. Childcare Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.87: Childcare Workers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,340; the top 10% earn over $52,670.
- Hourly equivalent: $20.57 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $48,360.
- Among personal services jobs in California, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pays the most ($62,890).
Childcare Workers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Childcare Workers here earn $42,790 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $42,790 is roughly equivalent to $30,134 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($48,360), Massachusetts ($42,580), Colorado ($42,410) are the closest alternatives for Childcare Workers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Personal Services Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $62,890/yr California +47.0% vs this role
- Skincare Specialists $49,910/yr California +16.6% vs this role
- Travel Guides $49,180/yr California +14.9% vs this role
- Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists $48,290/yr California +12.9% vs this role
- Barbers $47,720/yr California +11.5% vs this role
- Recreation Workers $43,530/yr California +1.7% vs this role
- Animal Caretakers $42,730/yr California 0.1% vs this role
- Manicurists and Pedicurists $39,730/yr California 7.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Childcare Workers salary in California?
The average Childcare Workers salary in California is $42,790 per year (median $40,020), which is 22.2% above the national average of $35,030.
How does California rank for Childcare Workers pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($48,360/yr).
How much do entry-level Childcare Workers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Childcare Workers in California earn about $35,340 per year and the 25th percentile is $37,600.
How much do Childcare Workers make per hour in California?
About $20.57 per hour, based on the $42,790 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Childcare Workers work in California?
BLS counts 52,780 Childcare Workers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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