Childcare Worker salary in New York
Childcare Workers in New York earn a median of $37,590 a year ($18.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 44,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,970 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $34,980. New York ranks 8th of 51 states for childcare workers pay. There are 4.5 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,630 | $16.17 |
| 25th percentile | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Median | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| 75th percentile | $43,730 | $21.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Average (mean) | $39,690 | $19.08 |
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 | $3,132.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,566.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,445.77 |
| Weekly | $722.88 |
| Hourly | $18.07 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $37,870 | 48,780 |
| Ithaca, NY | $37,410 | 290 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,090 | $22.64 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,760 | $17.19 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,660 | $16.66 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $36,300 | $17.45 |
| Animal Caretaker | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Concierge | $57,570 | $27.68 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $51,320 | $24.67 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for childcare workers in New York is $37,590 a year, or $18.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,970 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in New York?
The top 10% of childcare workers in New York earn at least $46,970 a year. The top 25% earn $43,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,630 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $35,420 or less.
How many childcare workers work in New York?
About 44,020 childcare workers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.