Childcare Worker salary in St. Joseph, MO-KS
Childcare Workers in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $29,130 a year ($14.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,410 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 5% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $30,790. There are 4.8 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $32,390, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| 25th percentile | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Median | $29,130 | $14.01 |
| 75th percentile | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,410 | $19.43 |
| Average (mean) | $32,390 | $15.57 |
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 | $2,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,213.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,120.38 |
| Weekly | $560.19 |
| Hourly | $14.01 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $33,320 | 5,710 |
| Topeka, KS | $32,790 | 540 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $31,770 | 6,660 |
| Springfield, MO | $29,610 | 920 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,210 | 140 |
| Lawrence, KS | $29,090 | 240 |
| Columbia, MO | $29,070 | 470 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $28,600 | 350 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 300 |
| Manhattan, KS | $28,590 | 210 |
| Wichita, KS | $28,210 | 1,490 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Joseph, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $31,380 | $15.09 |
| Recreation Worker | $37,470 | $18.01 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Animal Caretaker | $29,830 | $14.34 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $43,620 | $20.97 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $28,730 | $13.81 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Joseph, MO-KS
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 St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The median salary for childcare workers in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area is $29,130 a year, or $14.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area earn at least $40,410 a year. The top 25% earn $36,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,600 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $28,600 or less.
How many childcare workers work in St. Joseph, MO-KS?
About 260 childcare workers are employed in the St. Joseph, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.