Childcare Worker salary in Owensboro, KY
Childcare Workers in the Owensboro, KY metro area earn a median of $29,150 a year ($14.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,940 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 1% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $28,920. There are 3.5 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Owensboro, KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,640 | $11.37 |
| 25th percentile | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Median | $29,150 | $14.02 |
| 75th percentile | $31,190 | $14.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| Average (mean) | $29,430 | $14.15 |
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 | $2,429.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,214.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,121.15 |
| Weekly | $560.58 |
| Hourly | $14.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $35,100 | 850 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,150 | 2,390 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,150 | 1,720 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $28,940 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,420 | 770 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $26,800 | 90 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $25,360 | 540 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $24,960 | 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 |
See Childcare Worker pay in every state or the Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Owensboro, KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| Residential Advisor | $18,370 | $8.83 |
| Animal Caretaker | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $24,690 | $11.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $27,890 | $13.41 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Owensboro, KY
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 Owensboro, KY?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Owensboro, KY metro area is $29,150 a year, or $14.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Owensboro, KY?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Owensboro, KY metro area earn at least $34,940 a year. The top 25% earn $31,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Owensboro, KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,640 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $27,250 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Owensboro, KY?
About 170 childcare workers are employed in the Owensboro, KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.