Childcare Workers Pay Range in Illinois
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$31,200
- 25th Percentile — Junior$32,510
- 50th Percentile — Median$35,830
- 75th Percentile — Senior$37,980
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$44,980
Half of Childcare Workers in Illinois earn more than $35,830. The top 10% make $44,980 or more, while entry-level workers start around $31,200.
Childcare Workers in Illinois: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Illinois ranks 15th of 51 states for Childcare Workers pay, at $36,560 per year (4.4% above the U.S. average of $35,030).
- 23,900 people work as Childcare Workers in Illinois — 4.6% of all U.S. Childcare Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.17: Childcare Workers jobs are more concentrated in Illinois than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $31,200; the top 10% earn over $44,980.
- Hourly equivalent: $17.58 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $48,360.
- Among personal services jobs in Illinois, Barbers pays the most ($55,540).
Childcare Workers Job Market in Illinois
Key factors affecting compensation
Illinois's key industries are Finance, Manufacturing, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Childcare Workers here earn $36,560 on average, placing the state 15th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.05 (U.S. = 1.00), a Illinois salary of $36,560 is roughly equivalent to $34,819 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($38,030), Alaska ($37,640), New Jersey ($37,640) 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 Illinois
Related career salary benchmarks
- Barbers $55,540/yr Illinois +51.9% vs this role
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $53,300/yr Illinois +45.8% vs this role
- Skincare Specialists $48,500/yr Illinois +32.7% vs this role
- Manicurists and Pedicurists $40,560/yr Illinois +10.9% vs this role
- Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists $39,720/yr Illinois +8.6% vs this role
- Animal Caretakers $38,670/yr Illinois +5.8% vs this role
- Travel Guides $38,420/yr Illinois +5.1% vs this role
- Recreation Workers $37,790/yr Illinois +3.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Childcare Workers salary in Illinois?
The average Childcare Workers salary in Illinois is $36,560 per year (median $35,830), which is 4.4% above the national average of $35,030.
How does Illinois rank for Childcare Workers pay?
Illinois ranks 15th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($48,360/yr).
How much do entry-level Childcare Workers make in Illinois?
The lowest-paid 10% of Childcare Workers in Illinois earn about $31,200 per year and the 25th percentile is $32,510.
How much do Childcare Workers make per hour in Illinois?
About $17.58 per hour, based on the $36,560 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Childcare Workers work in Illinois?
BLS counts 23,900 Childcare Workers jobs in Illinois (OEWS May 2025).
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