Childcare Worker salary in Ithaca, NY
Childcare Workers in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn a median of $37,410 a year ($17.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,220 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is about the same as the New York statewide median of $37,590. There are 6.1 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $38,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Ithaca, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,660 | $16.19 |
| 25th percentile | $34,830 | $16.74 |
| Median | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| 75th percentile | $38,730 | $18.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,220 | $20.78 |
| Average (mean) | $38,090 | $18.31 |
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 | $3,117.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,558.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,438.85 |
| Weekly | $719.42 |
| Hourly | $17.99 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,870 | 48,780 |
| Kingston, NY | $36,360 | 460 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $36,230 | 1,810 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $36,170 | 2,420 |
| Binghamton, NY | $35,890 | 640 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $35,460 | 220 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $35,410 | 2,100 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $35,190 | 530 |
| Rochester, NY | $35,090 | 2,410 |
| Syracuse, NY | $34,380 | 1,020 |
| Elmira, NY | $34,170 | 90 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $33,630 | 210 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ithaca, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $34,770 | $16.71 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,670 | $22.92 |
| Residential Advisor | $53,760 | $25.85 |
| Animal Caretaker | $36,930 | $17.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $61,140 | $29.39 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Ithaca, NY
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 Ithaca, NY?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Ithaca, NY metro area is $37,410 a year, or $17.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Ithaca, NY?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Ithaca, NY metro area earn at least $43,220 a year. The top 25% earn $38,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Ithaca, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,660 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $34,830 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Ithaca, NY?
About 290 childcare workers are employed in the Ithaca, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.