BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Childcare Workers in Tennessee

$30,720 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$14.77 per hour

▼ 12.3% below U.S. average38th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$30,720per year
Median$29,660per year
Hourly$14.77per hour
10th – 90th percentile$21,730 – $38,050per year

Childcare Workers Pay Range in Tennessee

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$21,730
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$26,910
  • 50th Percentile — Median$29,660
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$35,200
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$38,050

Half of Childcare Workers in Tennessee earn more than $29,660. The top 10% make $38,050 or more, while entry-level workers start around $21,730.

Childcare Workers in Tennessee: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Tennessee ranks 38th of 51 states for Childcare Workers pay, at $30,720 per year (12.3% below the U.S. average of $35,030).
  • 13,650 people work as Childcare Workers in Tennessee — 2.6% of all U.S. Childcare Workers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.25: Childcare Workers jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $21,730; the top 10% earn over $38,050.
  • Hourly equivalent: $14.77 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $48,360.
  • Among personal services jobs in Tennessee, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pays the most ($48,380).

Childcare Workers Job Market in Tennessee

Key factors affecting compensation

Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Childcare Workers here earn $30,720 on average, placing the state 38th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $30,720 is roughly equivalent to $34,909 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($31,510), Wyoming ($31,340), Indiana ($31,330) are the closest alternatives for Childcare Workers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Childcare Workers salary in Tennessee?

The average Childcare Workers salary in Tennessee is $30,720 per year (median $29,660), which is 12.3% below the national average of $35,030.

How does Tennessee rank for Childcare Workers pay?

Tennessee ranks 38th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($48,360/yr).

How much do entry-level Childcare Workers make in Tennessee?

The lowest-paid 10% of Childcare Workers in Tennessee earn about $21,730 per year and the 25th percentile is $26,910.

How much do Childcare Workers make per hour in Tennessee?

About $14.77 per hour, based on the $30,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Childcare Workers work in Tennessee?

BLS counts 13,650 Childcare Workers jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).

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