Childcare Worker salary in Illinois
Childcare Workers in Illinois earn a median of $35,830 a year ($17.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 23,900 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,980 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $34,980. Illinois ranks 18th of 51 states for childcare workers pay. There are 3.9 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,560, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $32,510 | $15.63 |
| Median | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| 75th percentile | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,980 | $21.62 |
| Average (mean) | $36,560 | $17.58 |
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 | $2,985.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,492.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,378.08 |
| Weekly | $689.04 |
| Hourly | $17.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Childcare Worker salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,610 | 17,540 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,770 | $15.75 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Gambling Dealer | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $40,390 | $19.42 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for childcare workers in Illinois is $35,830 a year, or $17.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of childcare workers in Illinois earn at least $44,980 a year. The top 25% earn $37,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,200 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $32,510 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Illinois?
About 23,900 childcare workers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.