Childcare Worker salary in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
Childcare Workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn a median of $30,150 a year ($14.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,790 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 2% higher than the Ohio statewide median of $29,680. There are 2.2 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $32,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,090 | $11.58 |
| 25th percentile | $27,570 | $13.26 |
| Median | $30,150 | $14.50 |
| 75th percentile | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,790 | $19.13 |
| Average (mean) | $32,160 | $15.46 |
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 | $2,512.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,256.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,159.62 |
| Weekly | $579.81 |
| Hourly | $14.50 |
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 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $35,100 | 850 |
| Muncie, IN | $30,800 | 340 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $30,720 | 380 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,650 | 2,760 |
| Springfield, OH | $30,610 | 60 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $30,520 | 460 |
| Cleveland, OH | $30,460 | 2,620 |
| Columbus, OH | $30,280 | 2,580 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,150 | 1,720 |
| Akron, OH | $30,140 | 600 |
| 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 |
| Sandusky, OH | $29,570 | 80 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,510 | 170 |
| Owensboro, KY | $29,150 | 170 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $29,140 | 700 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $29,110 | 150 |
| Toledo, OH | $29,000 | 700 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,970 | 70 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $28,940 | 90 |
| Lima, OH | $28,790 | 80 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,420 | 770 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,200 | 210 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $27,970 | 70 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $26,800 | 90 |
| Mansfield, OH | $26,770 | 110 |
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 Ohio statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $29,880 | $14.36 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,650 | $13.29 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,540 | $14.68 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| Skincare Specialist | $43,570 | $20.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $42,130 | $20.26 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| Funeral Attendant | $34,960 | $16.81 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Cincinnati, OH-KY-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 Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area is $30,150 a year, or $14.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area earn at least $39,790 a year. The top 25% earn $35,830 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,090 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $27,570 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN?
About 2,390 childcare workers are employed in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.