Childcare Workers Pay Range in Iowa
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$21,950
- 25th Percentile — Junior$25,790
- 50th Percentile — Median$28,420
- 75th Percentile — Senior$31,730
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$37,220
Half of Childcare Workers in Iowa earn more than $28,420. The top 10% make $37,220 or more, while entry-level workers start around $21,950.
Childcare Workers in Iowa: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Iowa ranks 43rd of 51 states for Childcare Workers pay, at $29,280 per year (16.4% below the U.S. average of $35,030).
- 6,020 people work as Childcare Workers in Iowa — 1.2% of all U.S. Childcare Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.16: Childcare Workers jobs are more concentrated in Iowa than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $21,950; the top 10% earn over $37,220.
- Hourly equivalent: $14.08 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $48,360.
- Among personal services jobs in Iowa, Skincare Specialists pays the most ($59,230).
Childcare Workers Job Market in Iowa
Key factors affecting compensation
Iowa's key industries are Agriculture, Manufacturing, Finance, and its job market is rated moderate. Childcare Workers here earn $29,280 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.86 (U.S. = 1.00), a Iowa salary of $29,280 is roughly equivalent to $34,047 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, South Carolina ($30,600), Kentucky ($30,520), Kansas ($30,430) 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 Iowa
Related career salary benchmarks
- Skincare Specialists $59,230/yr Iowa +102.3% vs this role
- Barbers $54,470/yr Iowa +86.0% vs this role
- Manicurists and Pedicurists $42,300/yr Iowa +44.5% vs this role
- Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists $40,410/yr Iowa +38.0% vs this role
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $38,290/yr Iowa +30.8% vs this role
- Recreation Workers $34,740/yr Iowa +18.6% vs this role
- Animal Caretakers $32,900/yr Iowa +12.4% vs this role
- Travel Guides $28,730/yr Iowa 1.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Childcare Workers salary in Iowa?
The average Childcare Workers salary in Iowa is $29,280 per year (median $28,420), which is 16.4% below the national average of $35,030.
How does Iowa rank for Childcare Workers pay?
Iowa ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($48,360/yr).
How much do entry-level Childcare Workers make in Iowa?
The lowest-paid 10% of Childcare Workers in Iowa earn about $21,950 per year and the 25th percentile is $25,790.
How much do Childcare Workers make per hour in Iowa?
About $14.08 per hour, based on the $29,280 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Childcare Workers work in Iowa?
BLS counts 6,020 Childcare Workers jobs in Iowa (OEWS May 2025).
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