Childcare Workers Pay Range in Kentucky
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$21,860
- 25th Percentile — Junior$24,500
- 50th Percentile — Median$28,920
- 75th Percentile — Senior$35,060
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$39,550
Half of Childcare Workers in Kentucky earn more than $28,920. The top 10% make $39,550 or more, while entry-level workers start around $21,860.
Childcare Workers in Kentucky: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Kentucky ranks 40th of 51 states for Childcare Workers pay, at $30,520 per year (12.9% below the U.S. average of $35,030).
- 5,820 people work as Childcare Workers in Kentucky — 1.1% of all U.S. Childcare Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.87: Childcare Workers jobs are less concentrated in Kentucky than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $21,860; the top 10% earn over $39,550.
- Hourly equivalent: $14.67 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $48,360.
- Among personal services jobs in Kentucky, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pays the most ($46,580).
Childcare Workers Job Market in Kentucky
Key factors affecting compensation
Kentucky's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Childcare Workers here earn $30,520 on average, placing the state 40th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Kentucky salary of $30,520 is roughly equivalent to $36,771 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($31,330), North Carolina ($30,940), Tennessee ($30,720) 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 Kentucky
Related career salary benchmarks
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $46,580/yr Kentucky +52.6% vs this role
- Skincare Specialists $44,350/yr Kentucky +45.3% vs this role
- Manicurists and Pedicurists $44,140/yr Kentucky +44.6% vs this role
- Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists $41,390/yr Kentucky +35.6% vs this role
- Travel Guides $37,680/yr Kentucky +23.5% vs this role
- Animal Caretakers $34,070/yr Kentucky +11.6% vs this role
- Recreation Workers $34,010/yr Kentucky +11.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Childcare Workers salary in Kentucky?
The average Childcare Workers salary in Kentucky is $30,520 per year (median $28,920), which is 12.9% below the national average of $35,030.
How does Kentucky rank for Childcare Workers pay?
Kentucky ranks 40th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($48,360/yr).
How much do entry-level Childcare Workers make in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid 10% of Childcare Workers in Kentucky earn about $21,860 per year and the 25th percentile is $24,500.
How much do Childcare Workers make per hour in Kentucky?
About $14.67 per hour, based on the $30,520 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Childcare Workers work in Kentucky?
BLS counts 5,820 Childcare Workers jobs in Kentucky (OEWS May 2025).
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