Childcare Worker salary in Mankato, MN
Childcare Workers in the Mankato, MN metro area earn a median of $34,590 a year ($16.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,430 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 3% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $35,520. There are 5.4 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,930, close to the median.
Pay range for childcare workers in Mankato, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| 25th percentile | $29,270 | $14.07 |
| Median | $34,590 | $16.63 |
| 75th percentile | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Average (mean) | $32,930 | $15.83 |
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 | $2,882.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,441.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,330.38 |
| Weekly | $665.19 |
| Hourly | $16.63 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,310 | 7,740 |
| Rochester, MN | $34,510 | 650 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | 480 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $30,960 | 450 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $30,730 | 330 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $30,210 | 410 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $30,030 | 1,380 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $28,030 | 1,140 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Mankato, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,720 | $22.46 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $37,390 | $17.98 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,060 | $13.97 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $52,450 | $25.21 |
| Animal Caretaker | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $31,760 | $15.27 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,110 | $23.61 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Mankato, MN
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 Mankato, MN?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Mankato, MN metro area is $34,590 a year, or $16.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Mankato, MN?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Mankato, MN metro area earn at least $37,430 a year. The top 25% earn $35,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Mankato, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,730 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $29,270 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Mankato, MN?
About 300 childcare workers are employed in the Mankato, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.