Childcare Worker salary in Iowa
Childcare Workers in Iowa earn a median of $28,420 a year ($13.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,220 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $34,980. Iowa ranks 43rd 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 $29,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,950 | $10.55 |
| 25th percentile | $25,790 | $12.40 |
| Median | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| 75th percentile | $31,730 | $15.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Average (mean) | $29,280 | $14.08 |
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 | $2,368.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,184.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,093.08 |
| Weekly | $546.54 |
| Hourly | $13.66 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,300 | 810 |
| Dubuque, IA | $31,730 | 370 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $31,330 | 4,940 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $29,760 | 1,720 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $29,330 | 280 |
| Iowa City, IA | $29,170 | 460 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $28,170 | 380 |
| Ames, IA | $27,850 | 260 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $27,580 | 380 |
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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,160 | $17.39 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,430 | $13.19 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,700 | $17.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Gambling Dealer | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Funeral Attendant | $40,060 | $19.26 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for childcare workers in Iowa is $28,420 a year, or $13.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of childcare workers in Iowa earn at least $37,220 a year. The top 25% earn $31,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,950 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $25,790 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Iowa?
About 6,020 childcare workers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.