Childcare Worker salary in Virginia
Childcare Workers in Virginia earn a median of $34,330 a year ($16.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 13,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,100 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $34,980. Virginia ranks 22nd of 51 states for childcare workers pay. There are 3.4 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,150 | $13.53 |
| 25th percentile | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Median | $34,330 | $16.51 |
| 75th percentile | $37,200 | $17.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| Average (mean) | $35,070 | $16.86 |
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 | $2,860.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,430.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,320.38 |
| Weekly | $660.19 |
| Hourly | $16.51 |
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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,610 | 11,650 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $34,130 | 350 |
| Richmond, VA | $33,570 | 2,610 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $32,090 | 150 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $30,780 | 140 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $29,790 | 2,830 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $29,710 | 170 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $29,500 | 280 |
| Roanoke, VA | $29,100 | 530 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $29,090 | 250 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,190 | 320 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $40,820 | $19.63 |
| Recreation Worker | $36,120 | $17.36 |
| Residential Advisor | $42,890 | $20.62 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Animal Caretaker | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,910 | $14.86 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| Concierge | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Skincare Specialist | $39,350 | $18.92 |
| Funeral Attendant | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $36,530 | $17.56 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for childcare workers in Virginia is $34,330 a year, or $16.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of childcare workers in Virginia earn at least $44,100 a year. The top 25% earn $37,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,150 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $29,540 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Virginia?
About 13,930 childcare workers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.