Childcare Worker salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Childcare Workers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $30,770 a year ($14.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,260 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 10% lower than the Florida statewide median of $34,210. There are 1.4 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.41). The average (mean) salary is $32,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,250 | $13.58 |
| 25th percentile | $29,710 | $14.29 |
| Median | $30,770 | $14.79 |
| 75th percentile | $34,890 | $16.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| Average (mean) | $32,180 | $15.47 |
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 | $2,564.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,282.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,183.46 |
| Weekly | $591.73 |
| Hourly | $14.79 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $47,300 | 1,530 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $35,210 | 1,660 |
| Ocala, FL | $35,150 | 330 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $34,750 | 6,150 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $34,730 | 120 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $34,670 | 270 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $34,620 | 620 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $34,300 | 80 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $33,930 | 410 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $33,530 | 3,420 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $33,460 | 540 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $32,570 | 150 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $32,310 | 460 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $32,150 | 180 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $32,060 | 390 |
| Sebring, FL | $31,630 | 80 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $31,200 | 3,380 |
| Gainesville, FL | $30,870 | 320 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $29,840 | 260 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $33,860 | $16.28 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $32,520 | $15.63 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| Animal Caretaker | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,860 | $13.40 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $50,220 | $24.14 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,460 | $18.49 |
| Animal Trainer | $33,200 | $15.96 |
| Concierge | $33,450 | $16.08 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $30,770 a year, or $14.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $36,260 a year. The top 25% earn $34,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,250 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $29,710 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 360 childcare workers are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.