Childcare Worker salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Childcare Workers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $33,320 a year ($16.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,710 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,230 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 8% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $30,790. There are 4.3 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| 25th percentile | $30,360 | $14.60 |
| Median | $33,320 | $16.02 |
| 75th percentile | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,230 | $20.78 |
| Average (mean) | $34,490 | $16.58 |
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 | $2,776.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,388.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,281.54 |
| Weekly | $640.77 |
| Hourly | $16.02 |
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 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $34,990 | 530 |
| Decatur, IL | $34,740 | 100 |
| Rockford, IL | $33,560 | 500 |
| Peoria, IL | $33,340 | 600 |
| Bloomington, IL | $33,140 | 520 |
| Kankakee, IL | $32,820 | 210 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,300 | 810 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $31,770 | 6,660 |
| Springfield, MO | $29,610 | 920 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $29,210 | 140 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $29,130 | 260 |
| Columbia, MO | $29,070 | 470 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $28,600 | 350 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $28,600 | 300 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $26,800 | 90 |
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. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,500 | $17.55 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,750 | $16.23 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,450 | $17.52 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Animal Caretaker | $31,530 | $15.16 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $33,350 | $16.03 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $31,980 | $15.38 |
| Gambling Dealer | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,590 | $21.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $40,840 | $19.64 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for childcare workers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $33,320 a year, or $16.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $43,230 a year. The top 25% earn $36,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,370 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $30,360 or less.
How many childcare workers work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 5,710 childcare workers are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.