Childcare Worker salary in Paducah, KY-IL
Childcare Workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn a median of $26,800 a year ($12.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31,200 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 7% lower than the Kentucky statewide median of $28,920. There are 1.8 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $27,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Paducah, KY-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,870 | $11.00 |
| 25th percentile | $24,950 | $12.00 |
| Median | $26,800 | $12.89 |
| 75th percentile | $29,750 | $14.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Average (mean) | $27,300 | $13.13 |
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 | $2,233.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,116.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,030.77 |
| Weekly | $515.38 |
| Hourly | $12.89 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,610 | 17,540 |
| Springfield, IL | $35,170 | 380 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $35,100 | 850 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $34,990 | 530 |
| Decatur, IL | $34,740 | 100 |
| Rockford, IL | $33,560 | 500 |
| Peoria, IL | $33,340 | 600 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $33,320 | 5,710 |
| Bloomington, IL | $33,140 | 520 |
| Kankakee, IL | $32,820 | 210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,300 | 810 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,150 | 2,390 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,150 | 1,720 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,210 | 140 |
| Owensboro, KY | $29,150 | 170 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $28,940 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,420 | 770 |
| 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 Paducah, KY-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $28,380 | $13.64 |
| Animal Caretaker | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $28,350 | $13.63 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $23,730 | $11.41 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Paducah, KY-IL
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 Paducah, KY-IL?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area is $26,800 a year, or $12.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Paducah, KY-IL?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area earn at least $31,200 a year. The top 25% earn $29,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Paducah, KY-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,870 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $24,950 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Paducah, KY-IL?
About 90 childcare workers are employed in the Paducah, KY-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.