Childcare Worker salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Childcare Workers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $34,990 a year ($16.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,600 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 2% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $35,830. There are 5.0 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $31,440 | $15.12 |
| Median | $34,990 | $16.82 |
| 75th percentile | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Average (mean) | $35,060 | $16.86 |
Half of childcare workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,915.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,457.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,345.77 |
| Weekly | $672.88 |
| Hourly | $16.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Childcare Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,610 | 17,540 |
| Springfield, IL | $35,170 | 380 |
| Decatur, IL | $34,740 | 100 |
| Rockford, IL | $33,560 | 500 |
| Peoria, IL | $33,340 | 600 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $33,320 | 5,710 |
| Bloomington, IL | $33,140 | 520 |
| Kankakee, IL | $32,820 | 210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,300 | 810 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,210 | 140 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $26,800 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for childcare workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,340 |
| Washington | $41,680 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 |
| Colorado | $40,750 |
| California | $40,020 |
| Oregon | $38,650 |
| Vermont | $38,030 |
| New York | $37,590 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 |
| Hawaii | $37,030 |
See Childcare Worker pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Residential Advisor | $51,400 | $24.71 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,610 | $15.20 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $33,840 | $16.27 |
| Animal Caretaker | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $42,110 | $20.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $57,180 | $27.49 |
| Skincare Specialist | $49,440 | $23.77 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $34,990 a year, or $16.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $41,600 a year. The top 25% earn $36,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $31,440 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 530 childcare workers are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.