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Child care aide salary
Average child care aide salary
$14.03
Understanding Child Care Aide Salaries
The average salary for a Child Care Aide in the United States is around $29,192 per year, which translates to about $14.03 per hour. Factors impacting this salary include geographic location, years of experience, and the specific type of child care facility. For instance, child care aides in urban areas often earn more due to higher living costs and demand for services.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions typically start at lower wages, but with experience, salaries can increase significantly. Aides with several years of experience may earn upwards of $35,000 annually, particularly in specialized settings such as special needs care or private tutoring.
Highest Paying States
Some states offer higher salaries for child care aides due to increased demand. For example, states like New York and California often feature the highest wage brackets, reflecting their cost of living and larger populations. Understanding where these opportunities lie can help job seekers target their applications effectively.
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Where can a Child Care Aide earn more?
Child care aide salaries by experience level
Child care aide salary estimates from across the web
Average child care aide salary by state
The average child care aide salary in Massachusetts, Maine, and West Virginia are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average child care aide salary states are Alabama, Oklahoma, and Iowa.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for child care aides
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $38,074 | $18.30 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $36,339 | $17.47 |
| 3 | Delaware | $34,835 | $16.75 |
| 4 | Kentucky | $33,645 | $16.18 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $35,656 | $17.14 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $31,831 | $15.30 |
| 7 | Vermont | $34,929 | $16.79 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $38,273 | $18.40 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $35,449 | $17.04 |
| 10 | Washington | $35,126 | $16.89 |
| 11 | New York | $34,931 | $16.79 |
| 12 | Ohio | $29,684 | $14.27 |
| 13 | Michigan | $28,539 | $13.72 |
| 14 | Illinois | $29,567 | $14.21 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $29,113 | $14.00 |
| 16 | Nevada | $30,064 | $14.45 |
| 17 | North Carolina | $28,073 | $13.50 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $34,867 | $16.76 |
| 19 | Idaho | $30,600 | $14.71 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $27,037 | $13.00 |
| 21 | New Jersey | $33,819 | $16.26 |
| 22 | Missouri | $26,973 | $12.97 |
| 23 | North Dakota | $27,192 | $13.07 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $33,402 | $16.06 |
| 25 | Virginia | $30,085 | $14.46 |
| 26 | California | $31,502 | $15.15 |
| 27 | Arizona | $26,171 | $12.58 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $25,425 | $12.22 |
| 29 | Oregon | $27,172 | $13.06 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $26,415 | $12.70 |
| 31 | Montana | $24,316 | $11.69 |
| 32 | Georgia | $25,677 | $12.34 |
| 33 | Colorado | $27,837 | $13.38 |
| 34 | South Dakota | $25,084 | $12.06 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $25,040 | $12.04 |
| 36 | Utah | $26,312 | $12.65 |
| 37 | Indiana | $24,581 | $11.82 |
| 38 | Maryland | $27,078 | $13.02 |
| 39 | Texas | $26,181 | $12.59 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $25,536 | $12.28 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $25,285 | $12.16 |
| 42 | Iowa | $21,997 | $10.58 |
| 43 | Florida | $26,247 | $12.62 |
| 44 | Alaska | $20,591 | $9.90 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $23,609 | $11.35 |
| 46 | Alabama | $23,389 | $11.24 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $22,815 | $10.97 |
| 48 | Kansas | $21,814 | $10.49 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $24,449 | $11.75 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $23,587 | $11.34 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $21,513 | $10.34 |
Highest paying cities for child care aides
The highest-paying cities for child care aides are Mercer Island, WA, Albany, NY, and Paterson, NJ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercer Island, WA | $35,152 | $16.90 |
| 2 | Albany, NY | $35,003 | $16.83 |
| 3 | Paterson, NJ | $33,906 | $16.30 |
| 4 | Pacifica, CA | $32,139 | $15.45 |
| 5 | Las Vegas, NV | $30,049 | $14.45 |
| 6 | Delaware, OH | $29,493 | $14.18 |
| 7 | Sterling Heights, MI | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| 8 | Castle Rock, CO | $27,841 | $13.39 |
| 9 | Baltimore, MD | $27,208 | $13.08 |
| 10 | Surprise, AZ | $26,310 | $12.65 |
| 11 | Salt Lake City, UT | $26,290 | $12.64 |
| 12 | Clearwater, FL | $26,228 | $12.61 |
| 13 | Pittsburgh, PA | $25,974 | $12.49 |
| 14 | Dallas, TX | $25,943 | $12.47 |
| 15 | Fort Wayne, IN | $25,573 | $12.29 |
| 16 | Omaha, NE | $23,663 | $11.38 |
| 17 | Huntsville, AL | $23,551 | $11.32 |
| 18 | Manhattan, KS | $21,765 | $10.46 |
Child care aide salary details
A child care aide's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a child care aide's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| Average | $29,192 | $2,433 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying child care aide jobs
The highest paying types of child care aides are nanny, child care counselor, and child care provider.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nanny | $40,262 | $3,355 | $19.36 | 69,703 |
| Floater Teacher | $28,813 | $2,401 | $13.85 | 78,131 |
| Toddler Teacher | $30,703 | $2,559 | $14.76 | 67,810 |
| Baby Sitter | $30,972 | $2,581 | $14.89 | 19,382 |
| Aide | $27,793 | $2,316 | $13.36 | 78,919 |
| Day Care Teacher | $31,231 | $2,603 | $15.01 | 138,110 |
Which companies pay child care aides the most?
Child care aide salaries at Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs and New York State Restaurant Association are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average child care aide salary at companies like CARE and University of Colorado Boulder are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs | $39,284 | $18.89 |
| 2 | New York State Restaurant Association | $35,060 | $16.86 |
| 3 | CARE | $34,473 | $16.57 |
| 4 | University of Colorado Boulder | $33,399 | $16.06 |
| 5 | BayCare Health System | $32,784 | $15.76 |
| 6 | Ican | $32,667 | $15.71 |
| 7 | Holland | $32,541 | $15.64 |
| 8 | New London Hospital | $32,425 | $15.59 |
| 9 | Grandville Public Schools | $32,102 | $15.43 |
| 10 | Learning Care Group | $32,038 | $15.40 |
| 11 | Public Consulting Group | $31,657 | $15.22 |
| 12 | Right At School | $31,171 | $14.99 |
| 13 | St. Joseph Healthcare | $31,057 | $14.93 |
| 14 | St. Joseph's Health | $31,012 | $14.91 |
| 15 | Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District | $30,981 | $14.89 |
| 16 | Huntsville Hospital | $30,932 | $14.87 |
| 17 | Child and Family Services of NH | $30,712 | $14.77 |
| 18 | Immanuel | $30,649 | $14.74 |
| 19 | Reno, NV | $30,233 | $14.54 |
| 20 | Consolidated Investment Group | $29,767 | $14.31 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Child Care Aide salary by industry
The average child care aide salary varies across industries:
- The average child care aide salary in the finance industry is $35,622, the highest of any industry.
- The average child care aide salary in the finance industry is $30,830.
- Child care aides in the government industry earn an average salary of $25,794, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for child care aides
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finance | $35,622 | $17.13 |
| 2 | Health Care | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| 3 | Non Profits | $27,979 | $13.45 |
| 4 | Education | $27,791 | $13.36 |
| 5 | Media | $27,572 | $13.26 |
| 6 | Hospitality | $27,401 | $13.17 |
| 7 | Government | $25,794 | $12.40 |
High paying child care aide jobs
Child care aide salary trends
The average child care aide salary has risen by $6,914 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average child care aide earned $22,278 annually, but today, they earn $29,192 a year. That works out to a 20% change in pay for child care aides over the last decade.
Compare child care aide salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average child care aide salary over time
Compare child care aide salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Child care aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $29,200 | $14.03 | +4.8% |
| 2025 | $27,800 | $13.36 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $26,600 | $12.81 | +4.1% |
| 2023 | $25,600 | $12.29 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $24,300 | $11.67 | +4.0% |
Recently added child care aide salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alphabest Education | After School/Child Care Professional | Crandall, TX | 06/27/2025 | $31,305 |
| Gold's Gym International, Inc. | Kid's Care | Jackson, TN | 06/25/2025 | $20,870 |
| The Salvation Army | Child Care Aide | Norfolk, VA | 06/23/2025 | $25,900 |
| Butterfly Effects | ABA Child Interventionist | Durham, NC | 06/22/2025 | $41,740 |
| Millville Public Schools | School AGE Child Care (Sacc)-Aides | Millville, NJ | 06/19/2025 | $32,328 |
| Catholic Charities of The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis | Child Care Aide | Minneapolis, MN | 06/16/2025 | $37,566 |
| Catholic Charities Twin Cities | Child Care Aide | Minneapolis, MN | 06/16/2025 | $37,566 |
| Alphabest Education | Summer Camp Instructor/Child Care Professional | Oxnard, CA | 06/15/2025 | $43,827 |
| Kennedy Krieger Institute | Child Care Aide-Intermittent Work Schedule (World of Care) | Baltimore, MD | 06/11/2025 | $31,305 |
| Community Action Agency | Child Care Aide | Hillsdale, MI | 06/11/2025 | $23,938 |
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