Childcare Worker salary in Rochester, MN
Childcare Workers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $34,510 a year ($16.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,580 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 3% lower than the Minnesota statewide median of $35,520. There are 5.3 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,750, close to the median.
Pay range for childcare workers in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,880 | $12.93 |
| 25th percentile | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Median | $34,510 | $16.59 |
| 75th percentile | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,580 | $19.03 |
| Average (mean) | $33,750 | $16.23 |
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 | $2,875.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,437.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,327.31 |
| Weekly | $663.65 |
| Hourly | $16.59 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,310 | 7,740 |
| Mankato, MN | $34,590 | 300 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $34,030 | 480 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $30,960 | 450 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $30,730 | 330 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $30,210 | 410 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $30,030 | 1,380 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $28,030 | 1,140 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $40,460 | $19.45 |
| Recreation Worker | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Residential Advisor | $50,060 | $24.07 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $32,690 | $15.72 |
| Animal Caretaker | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | $37,510 | $18.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Skincare Specialist | $57,420 | $27.61 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Rochester, MN metro area is $34,510 a year, or $16.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $39,580 a year. The top 25% earn $37,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,880 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $29,430 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Rochester, MN?
About 650 childcare workers are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.