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Day Care Worker Salary in the United States

How much does a Day Care Worker make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Day Care Worker in the United States is $32,659 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $16.

However, a Day Care Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $38,306
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $30,315 to $35,615
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $28,182
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Day Care Worker Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Day Care Worker Salaries

A Day Care Worker's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Day Care Worker Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Day Care Worker's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $31,866
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $32,330
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $32,741
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $32,864
  • Expert (over 8 years): $32,946
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Day Care Worker less than 1 year $31,866
Early Career Level Day Care Worker 1-2 years $32,330
Mid-Level Level Day Care Worker 2-4 years $32,741
Senior-Level Level Day Care Worker 5-8 years $32,864
Expert Level Day Care Worker over 8 years $32,946

How Do Day Care Worker Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Day Care Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $36,160.
  • California: $36,022.
  • Massachusetts: $35,542.

Top Paying Cities for Day Care Worker

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $41,192
  • San Francisco: $40,741
  • Oakland: $39,883

Day Care Worker Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Day Care Worker roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Day Care Worker positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Day Care Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Day Care Worker

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $42,456 $20.0 30%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $35,924 $17.0 10%

Day Care Worker Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Day Care Worker's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$30,315
Average $32,659/year
$35,615
$2,526
Average $2,722/month
$2,968
$583
Average $628/week
$685
$15
Average $16/hour
$17
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $35,615 $2,968 $685 $17
Average $32,659 $2,722 $628 $16
25th Percentile $30,315 $2,526 $583 $15

Most common benefits for Day Care Worker

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Day Care Worker

Here are companies hiring for Day Care Worker and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Day Care Worker Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Day Care Worker job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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    RN Registered Nurse PACU Post Anesthesia Care Unit

    White Glove Placement New York | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Ready for your next travel nursing opportunity. Join a. Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). team in Lancaster, Ohio, and pr... more

    7 Days Ago

  • AROMAIR | Columbus, OH

    Warehouse associate

    AROMAIR | Columbus, OH

    Warehouse Associate - New Albany. At Job&Talent, we are recruiting for a Warehouse Associate to work with Aromair in New Albany. This role involves managin... more

    7 Days Ago

  • KOHLS | Columbus, OH

    Senior Industrial Maintenance Technician

    KOHLS | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Shifts. \n. Monday-Thursday 2pm-12am. \n. Monday-Thursday 10pm-8am. \n. Friday-Sunday 6pm-6am. \n. \n. About the Role. \n. As a Senior Mai... more

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  • White Glove Placement | Columbus, OH

    RN

    White Glove Placement | Columbus, OH

    RN-Cath Lab Job in Westerville, OH $2387-$2795 per week* Location Westerville, OH. Schedule 5x8 Days. Start Date 09/27/2026. Assignment Length 13 weeks. Jo... more

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FAQ about Day Care Worker

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Day Care Worker?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Day Care Worker roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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