Childcare Worker salary in Washington
Childcare Workers in Washington earn a median of $41,680 a year ($20.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,080 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $34,980. Washington ranks 2nd of 51 states for childcare workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.2 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $42,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| 25th percentile | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Median | $41,680 | $20.04 |
| 75th percentile | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,080 | $24.08 |
| Average (mean) | $42,400 | $20.39 |
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 | $3,473.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,736.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,603.08 |
| Weekly | $801.54 |
| Hourly | $20.04 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $43,710 | 2,520 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $42,300 | 30 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $40,150 | 60 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $39,590 | 3,020 |
| Bellingham, WA | $38,820 | 130 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $38,690 | 110 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $38,390 | 240 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $38,130 | 60 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $37,840 | 180 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $37,230 | 290 |
| Yakima, WA | $36,550 | 130 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $36,040 | 60 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $31,080 | 160 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $50,830 | $24.44 |
| Recreation Worker | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,640 | $23.38 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $41,020 | $19.72 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| Animal Caretaker | $40,570 | $19.51 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| Gambling Dealer | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $41,010 | $19.71 |
| Skincare Specialist | $79,320 | $38.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $62,900 | $30.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $54,160 | $26.04 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for childcare workers in Washington is $41,680 a year, or $20.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Washington?
The top 10% of childcare workers in Washington earn at least $50,080 a year. The top 25% earn $44,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,340 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $37,460 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Washington?
About 4,340 childcare workers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.