California ranks 4th of 51 states and D.C. for childcare workers pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($45,400) by $7,180 — a 19% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $34,130 to $49,920 — a $15,790 spread, 27% tighter than the national $21,660 range.
Childcare Workers are less concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.77 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.30× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $34,130 | $16.41 |
| 25th percentile | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| 75th percentile | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Mean (average) | $41,260 | $19.84 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $38,220 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $45,400 | +19% |
| Massachusetts | $39,290 | +3% |
| Colorado | $38,410 | +0% |
| Vermont | $37,830 | -1% |
| Washington | $37,800 | -1% |
| New York | $36,630 | -4% |
| Hawaii | $36,440 | -5% |
| Oregon | $36,250 | -5% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workers | $38,150 | 98,950 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $38,300 | 7,560 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $38,640 | 237,680 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $38,660 | 6,830 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,690 | 29,570 |
| Recreation Workers | $37,580 | 48,580 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Childcare Workers salary in California?
The mean childcare workers salary in California is $41,260 per year. The median (middle) salary is $38,220 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Childcare Workers in California?
Entry-level childcare workerss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $34,130 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $36,030 per year.
What is the highest Childcare Workers salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $49,920 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $45,510 per year.
How does the California Childcare Workers salary compare to the national average?
The median childcare workers salary in California is $38,220, which is +19% above national average of $32,050.