Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Child care associate salary
Average child care associate salary
$14.01
Average Child Care Associate Salary
The average salary for a child care associate in the United States is $29,146 annually, translating to about $14 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors like location, experience, and specific job responsibilities. For example, child care associates in urban areas or states with high demand often earn more than their counterparts in rural settings.
How Experience Affects Salary
Experience plays a vital role in determining earnings. Entry-level positions may start below the average, while those with several years in the field can earn significantly more. Associates often see salary increases as they gain experience and take on additional responsibilities, such as leading a classroom or managing administrative tasks.
Job Opportunities
For those interested in pursuing a career as a child care associate, there are numerous job openings available across various platforms. Organizations frequently seek dedicated professionals to support children’s development. Explore local listings to find opportunities that match your skills and interests.
Let Zippi find your next child care associate job
Let Zippi find your next child care associate job
Where can a Child Care Associate earn more?
Child care associate salaries by experience level
Average child care associate salary by state
The average child care associate salary in Washington, Massachusetts, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average child care associate salary states are Nebraska, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for child care associates
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $33,825 | $16.26 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $32,031 | $15.40 |
| 3 | Kentucky | $31,314 | $15.05 |
| 4 | Nevada | $29,719 | $14.29 |
| 5 | Washington | $36,316 | $17.46 |
| 6 | Arizona | $27,973 | $13.45 |
| 7 | Vermont | $31,149 | $14.98 |
| 8 | California | $34,375 | $16.53 |
| 9 | Michigan | $27,248 | $13.10 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $35,937 | $17.28 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $31,623 | $15.20 |
| 12 | Delaware | $29,729 | $14.29 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | $31,309 | $15.05 |
| 14 | Colorado | $31,405 | $15.10 |
| 15 | Idaho | $30,465 | $14.65 |
| 16 | New York | $28,931 | $13.91 |
| 17 | Ohio | $27,101 | $13.03 |
| 18 | Oregon | $28,669 | $13.78 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $30,693 | $14.76 |
| 20 | Missouri | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $25,543 | $12.28 |
| 22 | North Carolina | $25,669 | $12.34 |
| 23 | Wyoming | $25,728 | $12.37 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $28,076 | $13.50 |
| 25 | Illinois | $25,550 | $12.28 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $26,170 | $12.58 |
| 27 | Hawaii | $29,897 | $14.37 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $24,507 | $11.78 |
| 29 | Utah | $25,761 | $12.39 |
| 30 | Montana | $23,794 | $11.44 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $24,809 | $11.93 |
| 32 | South Dakota | $23,671 | $11.38 |
| 33 | District of Columbia | $28,445 | $13.68 |
| 34 | Georgia | $24,698 | $11.87 |
| 35 | Pennsylvania | $25,228 | $12.13 |
| 36 | Louisiana | $24,076 | $11.57 |
| 37 | Texas | $25,390 | $12.21 |
| 38 | Alaska | $21,716 | $10.44 |
| 39 | Kansas | $24,430 | $11.75 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $24,350 | $11.71 |
| 41 | Maryland | $24,983 | $12.01 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $22,409 | $10.77 |
| 43 | Virginia | $24,654 | $11.85 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $22,007 | $10.58 |
| 45 | Iowa | $20,658 | $9.93 |
| 46 | Indiana | $23,869 | $11.48 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $23,766 | $11.43 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $20,939 | $10.07 |
| 49 | Alabama | $22,672 | $10.90 |
| 50 | Florida | $23,348 | $11.22 |
| 51 | Nebraska | $22,569 | $10.85 |
Highest paying cities for child care associates
The highest-paying cities for child care associates are Seattle, WA, Boston, MA, and Santa Rosa, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $36,491 | $17.54 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $35,965 | $17.29 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $31,457 | $15.12 |
| 5 | Danbury, CT | $30,698 | $14.76 |
| 6 | Wilmington, DE | $29,868 | $14.36 |
| 7 | Albany, NY | $29,564 | $14.21 |
| 8 | Washington, DC | $28,491 | $13.70 |
| 9 | Hoboken, NJ | $28,252 | $13.58 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $27,328 | $13.14 |
| 11 | Cincinnati, OH | $26,467 | $12.72 |
| 12 | Raleigh, NC | $25,768 | $12.39 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $25,326 | $12.18 |
| 14 | Arlington, VA | $25,114 | $12.07 |
| 15 | Baltimore, MD | $25,096 | $12.07 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $24,698 | $11.87 |
| 17 | Fort Wayne, IN | $24,119 | $11.60 |
| 18 | Columbia, SC | $23,739 | $11.41 |
| 19 | Jacksonville, FL | $23,208 | $11.16 |
| 20 | Des Moines, IA | $20,596 | $9.90 |
Child care associate salary details
A child care associate's salary ranges from $19,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a child care associate's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $29,146 | $2,429 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
| 10th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
Highest paying child care associate jobs
The highest paying types of child care associates are child care counselor, child care provider, and care associate.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toddler Teacher | $30,703 | $2,559 | $14.76 | 67,810 |
| Baby Sitter | $30,972 | $2,581 | $14.89 | 19,382 |
| Recreation Aide | $28,756 | $2,396 | $13.83 | 43,283 |
| Kids Club Attendant | $24,787 | $2,066 | $11.92 | 45,501 |
| Day Care Teacher | $31,231 | $2,603 | $15.01 | 138,110 |
| Personal Care Worker | $29,490 | $2,458 | $14.18 | 129,522 |
Top companies hiring child care associates now:
Which companies pay child care associates the most?
Child care associate salaries at WRMA Incorporated and CARE are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average child care associate salary at companies like HarperCollins and Think Together are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WRMA Incorporated | $36,591 | $17.59 |
| 2 | CARE | $33,743 | $16.22 |
| 3 | HarperCollins | $33,189 | $15.96 |
| 4 | Think Together | $32,648 | $15.70 |
| 5 | Learning Care Group | $31,598 | $15.19 |
| 6 | Essentia Health | $30,567 | $14.70 |
| 7 | Nexus Recovery Center | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| 8 | West Tennessee Healthcare | $30,024 | $14.43 |
| 9 | Sylvan Union School District | $28,767 | $13.83 |
| 10 | EXOS | $28,701 | $13.80 |
| 11 | Right At School | $27,490 | $13.22 |
| 12 | MemorialCare | $27,466 | $13.20 |
| 13 | Balance Autism | $26,998 | $12.98 |
| 14 | Bright Horizons | $26,843 | $12.91 |
| 15 | Danbury Public Schools | $26,278 | $12.63 |
| 16 | Lutheran Services in Iowa | $26,152 | $12.57 |
| 17 | The Arc Montgomery County | $25,926 | $12.46 |
| 18 | Iowa Western Community College | $25,474 | $12.25 |
| 19 | State Of Montana | $24,968 | $12.00 |
| 20 | VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa | $24,818 | $11.93 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Child Care Associate salary by industry
The average child care associate salary varies across industries:
- The average child care associate salary in the education industry is $29,149, the highest of any industry.
- The average child care associate salary in the finance industry is $28,055.
- Child care associates in the non profits industry earn an average salary of $25,851, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for child care associates
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $29,149 | $14.01 |
| 2 | Professional | $28,055 | $13.49 |
| 3 | Government | $27,623 | $13.28 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $27,413 | $13.18 |
| 5 | Hospitality | $27,273 | $13.11 |
| 6 | Health Care | $26,727 | $12.85 |
| 7 | Non Profits | $25,851 | $12.43 |
High paying child care associate jobs
Child care associate salary trends
The average child care associate salary has risen by $6,903 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average child care associate earned $22,243 annually, but today, they earn $29,146 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for child care associates over the last decade.
Compare child care associate salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average child care associate salary over time
Compare child care associate salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Child care associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,100 | $14.01 | +4.8% |
| 2024 | $27,700 | $13.34 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $26,600 | $12.79 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $25,500 | $12.27 | +5.0% |
| 2021 | $24,200 | $11.65 | +4.0% |
Recently added child care associate salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bright Horizons Children's Centers | Child Care Associate Teacher-Summer | Hoboken, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $35,166 |
| Northeast Iowa Community College | Child Care Associate | Calmar, IA | 06/25/2025 | $26,881 |
| The Arc Montgomery County | Child Care Associate Teacher | Derwood, MD | 06/21/2025 | $38,756 |
| Bright Horizons Family Solutions | Child Care Substitute Associate Teacher | South San Francisco, CA | 06/19/2025 | $40,697 |
| Bright Horizons Children's Centers | Child Care Associate Teacher (Weekends | Elmont, NY | 06/17/2025 | $35,166 |
| Club4 Fitness | Child Care Associate | Mobile, AL | 06/17/2025 | $20,870 |
| Syufy Group | Child Care Associate | Meridian, ID | 06/13/2025 | $22,957 |
| Villasport | Child Care Associate | Meridian, ID | 06/12/2025 | $22,957 |
| Bright Horizons Children's Centers | Child Care Associate Teacher-Toddler | Madisonville, KY | 06/09/2025 | $28,488 |
| Rush-Copley Medical Center | Child Care Associate/Healthplex | Aurora, IL | 06/02/2025 | $31,305 |
Child care associate salary FAQs
Search for child care associate jobs