Childcare Workers pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,160 a year or less, while the top 10% make $50,220 or more. The middle half of childcare workers in Washington earn between $35,550 and $44,600.
- $32K10th
- $36K25th
- $38KMedian
- $45K75th
- $50K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $40,170 | $3,348 | $19.31 |
| Median | $37,610 | $3,134 | $18.08 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $35,550 | $2,962 | $17.09 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $44,600 | $3,717 | $21.44 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.
Childcare Workers salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $40,170, a single filer in Washington takes home about $33,212 a year, or $2,768 a month and $1,277 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $33,408 | $2,784 |
| Working in DC | $33,212 | $2,768 |
| Working in VA | $32,961 | $2,747 |
| Working in MD | $32,760 | $2,730 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for childcare workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $40,170 buys what about $36,892 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 14.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Childcare Workers salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$33,940
- Baltimore, MD$36,700
- Winchester, VA$31,870
- Lexington Park, MD$36,770
- Gettysburg, PA$32,110
- Chambersburg, PA$28,180
Highest-paying cities for childcare workers
Sarasota, FL pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($52,680).
- Sarasota, FL$52,680
- San Jose, CA$48,450
- San Francisco, CA$46,100
- Seattle, WA$44,390
- Boulder, CO$44,280
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Childcare Workers salary in Washington: questions
How much do childcare workers make an hour in Washington?
$19.31 an hour on average, and $18.08 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level childcare workers salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $32,160 a year and the 25th percentile is $35,550, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the childcare workers take-home pay in Washington?
About $33,212 a year ($2,768 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $40,170.
Do childcare workers earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 13% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($35,505).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 39-9011; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.3%.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.11, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.