Childcare Worker salary in Rochester, NY
Childcare Workers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $35,090 a year ($16.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,540 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 7% lower than the New York statewide median of $37,590. There are 4.9 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $35,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,240 | $15.50 |
| 25th percentile | $33,020 | $15.88 |
| Median | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| 75th percentile | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Average (mean) | $35,680 | $17.16 |
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 | $2,924.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,462.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,349.62 |
| Weekly | $674.81 |
| Hourly | $16.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Childcare Worker pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $35,840 | $17.23 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,250 | $15.50 |
| Animal Caretaker | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,830 | $17.71 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $32,760 | $15.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $54,060 | $25.99 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $33,250 | $15.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| Skincare Specialist | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Concierge | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants | $32,290 | $15.52 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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, NY?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Rochester, NY metro area is $35,090 a year, or $16.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $39,540 a year. The top 25% earn $36,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,240 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $33,020 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Rochester, NY?
About 2,410 childcare workers are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.