Childcare Worker salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Childcare Workers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median of $22,040 a year ($10.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $29,440 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 3% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $22,720. There are 1.4 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $24,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,750 | $9.01 |
| 25th percentile | $20,650 | $9.93 |
| Median | $22,040 | $10.60 |
| 75th percentile | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $29,440 | $14.15 |
| Average (mean) | $24,000 | $11.54 |
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 | $1,836.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $918.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $847.69 |
| Weekly | $423.85 |
| Hourly | $10.60 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $26,150 | 510 |
| Huntsville, AL | $23,110 | 440 |
| Birmingham, AL | $23,070 | 920 |
| Montgomery, AL | $22,720 | 660 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $22,640 | n/a |
| Mobile, AL | $22,350 | 370 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $22,280 | 180 |
| Decatur, AL | $22,170 | 100 |
| Dothan, AL | $21,910 | 140 |
| Gadsden, AL | $21,050 | 60 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $20,730 | 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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $30,980 | $14.90 |
| Residential Advisor | $26,170 | $12.58 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $36,490 | $17.54 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $22,460 | $10.80 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,250 | $14.54 |
| Animal Caretaker | $27,650 | $13.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $44,230 | $21.26 |
| Skincare Specialist | $39,970 | $19.22 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Tuscaloosa, AL
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 Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $22,040 a year, or $10.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $29,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn at least $29,440 a year. The top 25% earn $27,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,750 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $20,650 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Tuscaloosa, AL?
About 150 childcare workers are employed in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.