Salary AI Book a Demo

Day Care Worker Salary in California

How much does a Day Care Worker make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Day Care Worker in California is $36,022 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $42,252
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $33,438 to $39,283
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,084
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Day Care Worker Job Openings in California

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): $35,149
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $35,660
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $36,113
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $36,249
  • Expert (over 8 years): $36,339
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Day Care Worker less than 1 year $35,149
Early Career Level Day Care Worker 1-2 years $35,660
Mid-Level Level Day Care Worker 2-4 years $36,113
Senior-Level Level Day Care Worker 5-8 years $36,249
Expert Level Day Care Worker over 8 years $36,339

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:

  • Los Angeles: $36,084
  • West Hollywood: $36,058
  • Dodgertown: $36,084

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 $46,829 $23.0 30%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $39,625 $19.0 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.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$33,438
Average $36,022/year
$39,283
$2,786
Average $3,002/month
$3,274
$643
Average $693/week
$755
$16
Average $17/hour
$19
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $39,283 $3,274 $755 $19
Average $36,022 $3,002 $693 $17
25th Percentile $33,438 $2,786 $643 $16

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.

  • MarSell Wellness Center | Riverside, CA

    Youth Care Worker

    MarSell Wellness Center | Riverside, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Title. Youth Care Worker. Department. Location. Foster Family Services more

    2 Days Ago

  • Trinity Youth Services | El Monte, CA

    YOUTH CARE WORKER

    Trinity Youth Services | El Monte, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Now Hiring: Youth Care Worker. Location: El Monte, CA 91731. We are currently seeking a Youth Care Worker to join our res... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Independent Life Skills, LLC | Los Angeles, CA

    Home Health Care Worker

    Independent Life Skills, LLC | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary. We are looking for a Home Health Care Worker to join our team. You will be directly working with the assigne... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Epic Healthcare | Lynwood, CA

    Caregiver Care Worker

    Epic Healthcare | Lynwood, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Now Hiring: Caregiver. Saturday - Wednesday 7AM - 3PM (AM SHIFT). Come Join the team everyone is talking about. Caregiver... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Delta-T Group Inc. | Pasadena, CA

    Youth Care Worker

    Delta-T Group Inc. | Pasadena, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Location. Pasadena, CA 91103. Date Posted. 06/01/2026. Category. Behavioral. Education. None. Our client is seeking a. Yo... more

    3 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst