Childcare Worker salary in Pennsylvania
Childcare Workers in Pennsylvania earn a median of $30,140 a year ($14.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,290 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pennsylvania ranks 33rd of 51 states for childcare workers pay. There are 2.1 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $31,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,710 | $10.92 |
| 25th percentile | $27,040 | $13.00 |
| Median | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| 75th percentile | $35,970 | $17.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,290 | $18.89 |
| Average (mean) | $31,510 | $15.15 |
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 | $2,511.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,255.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,159.23 |
| Weekly | $579.62 |
| Hourly | $14.49 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34,520 | 7,960 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $32,220 | 910 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $30,630 | 600 |
| Lancaster, PA | $30,620 | 420 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $30,310 | 470 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $29,950 | 890 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $29,840 | 2,560 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $29,640 | 40 |
| Reading, PA | $29,530 | 390 |
| Lebanon, PA | $28,520 | 90 |
| Erie, PA | $28,030 | n/a |
| Altoona, PA | $27,520 | 160 |
| Williamsport, PA | $27,460 | 140 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $27,030 | 140 |
| Johnstown, PA | $26,570 | 160 |
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 Pennsylvania
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Residential Advisor | $40,010 | $19.24 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $27,590 | $13.27 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| Animal Caretaker | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $27,990 | $13.46 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,130 | $14.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Gambling Dealer | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Skincare Specialist | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Concierge | $39,560 | $19.02 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for childcare workers in Pennsylvania is $30,140 a year, or $14.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of childcare workers in Pennsylvania earn at least $39,290 a year. The top 25% earn $35,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,710 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $27,040 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Pennsylvania?
About 13,000 childcare workers are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.