Childcare Worker salary in Louisiana
Childcare Workers in Louisiana earn a median of $22,900 a year ($11.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,610 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $34,980. Louisiana ranks 49th of 51 states for childcare workers pay. There are 4.1 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $25,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,650 | $8.97 |
| 25th percentile | $21,390 | $10.28 |
| Median | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| 75th percentile | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $33,610 | $16.16 |
| Average (mean) | $25,470 | $12.25 |
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 | $1,908.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $954.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $880.77 |
| Weekly | $440.38 |
| Hourly | $11.01 |
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 Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $27,630 | 1,850 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $25,550 | 1,650 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $22,610 | 570 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $22,590 | 610 |
| Alexandria, LA | $22,350 | 280 |
| Hammond, LA | $22,150 | 350 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $22,100 | 260 |
| Lafayette, LA | $21,840 | 940 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $21,820 | 240 |
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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,060 | $15.89 |
| Residential Advisor | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $22,680 | $10.90 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $26,030 | $12.51 |
| Animal Caretaker | $27,910 | $13.42 |
| Gambling Dealer | $17,760 | $8.54 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $28,170 | $13.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $27,750 | $13.34 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $28,630 | $13.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $26,320 | $12.65 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for childcare workers in Louisiana is $22,900 a year, or $11.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of childcare workers in Louisiana earn at least $33,610 a year. The top 25% earn $28,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,650 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $21,390 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Louisiana?
About 8,000 childcare workers are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.