Childcare Worker salary in New Jersey
Childcare Workers in New Jersey earn a median of $36,390 a year ($17.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 25,070 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,800 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $34,980. New Jersey ranks 13th of 51 states for childcare workers pay. There are 5.8 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $37,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| 25th percentile | $34,170 | $16.43 |
| Median | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| 75th percentile | $38,400 | $18.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| Average (mean) | $37,640 | $18.10 |
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 | $3,032.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,516.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,399.62 |
| Weekly | $699.81 |
| Hourly | $17.49 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,870 | 48,780 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $35,640 | 1,140 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $34,540 | 530 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,520 | 7,960 |
| Vineland, NJ | $33,390 | 400 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $32,220 | 910 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Residential Advisor | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,150 | $17.38 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,370 | $17.49 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,850 | $17.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $54,330 | $26.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $52,360 | $25.17 |
| Gambling Dealer | $33,000 | $15.87 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,870 | $22.06 |
| Concierge | $37,740 | $18.14 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for childcare workers in New Jersey is $36,390 a year, or $17.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,800 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of childcare workers in New Jersey earn at least $44,800 a year. The top 25% earn $38,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,220 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $34,170 or less.
How many childcare workers work in New Jersey?
About 25,070 childcare workers are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.