Childcare Worker salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Childcare Workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $36,610 a year ($17.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,540 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,940 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 2% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $35,830. There are 3.9 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $33,770 | $16.24 |
| Median | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| 75th percentile | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| Average (mean) | $37,220 | $17.89 |
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 | $3,050.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,525.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,408.08 |
| Weekly | $704.04 |
| Hourly | $17.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield, IL | $35,170 | 380 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $34,990 | 530 |
| 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 |
| Muncie, IN | $30,800 | 340 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $30,720 | 380 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,650 | 2,760 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,150 | 2,390 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,150 | 1,720 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $30,050 | 680 |
| Kokomo, IN | $29,930 | 120 |
| Evansville, IN | $29,880 | 400 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $29,840 | 380 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $29,790 | 130 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,510 | 170 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,210 | 140 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,970 | 70 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,200 | 210 |
| 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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,320 | $21.31 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $42,540 | $20.45 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,260 | $16.47 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| Animal Caretaker | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,390 | $23.27 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| Gambling Dealer | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $40,390 | $19.42 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $36,610 a year, or $17.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $45,940 a year. The top 25% earn $38,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $33,770 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 17,540 childcare workers are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.