Childcare Worker salary in Texas
Childcare Workers in Texas earn a median of $28,570 a year ($13.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 34,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,290 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $34,980. Texas ranks 41st of 51 states for childcare workers pay. There are 2.4 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $29,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Texas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,750 | $10.46 |
| 25th percentile | $23,370 | $11.23 |
| Median | $28,570 | $13.73 |
| 75th percentile | $31,920 | $15.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,290 | $17.93 |
| Average (mean) | $29,050 | $13.96 |
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 | $2,380.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,190.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,098.85 |
| Weekly | $549.42 |
| Hourly | $13.73 |
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 Texas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $31,110 | 8,660 |
| Midland, TX | $30,010 | 240 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $29,530 | 8,690 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $29,440 | 3,100 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $28,470 | 3,400 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $27,250 | 350 |
| Amarillo, TX | $27,230 | 370 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $27,210 | 570 |
| Odessa, TX | $27,210 | 200 |
| Abilene, TX | $26,810 | 130 |
| San Angelo, TX | $26,780 | 190 |
| Waco, TX | $26,760 | 280 |
| Lubbock, TX | $26,650 | 620 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $26,400 | 70 |
| Tyler, TX | $26,050 | 300 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $25,960 | 480 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $24,680 | 190 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $24,120 | 170 |
| El Paso, TX | $23,410 | 810 |
| Longview, TX | $23,410 | 300 |
| Victoria, TX | $23,280 | 180 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $22,940 | 470 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $22,480 | 130 |
| Laredo, TX | $22,350 | 330 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $22,310 | 750 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $22,290 | 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 |
Related jobs in Texas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $40,880 | $19.65 |
| Recreation Worker | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Residential Advisor | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,570 | $12.78 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,680 | $14.75 |
| Animal Caretaker | $32,730 | $15.74 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $26,610 | $12.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,560 | $21.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $44,690 | $21.49 |
| Skincare Specialist | $49,250 | $23.68 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Concierge | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Barber | $30,760 | $14.79 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Texas
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 Texas?
The median salary for childcare workers in Texas is $28,570 a year, or $13.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Texas?
The top 10% of childcare workers in Texas earn at least $37,290 a year. The top 25% earn $31,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Texas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,750 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $23,370 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Texas?
About 34,160 childcare workers are employed in Texas, not counting the self-employed.