Childcare Worker salary in Wisconsin
Childcare Workers in Wisconsin earn a median of $32,460 a year ($15.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,830 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $34,980. Wisconsin ranks 25th of 51 states for childcare workers pay. There are 1.9 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $33,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,650 | $11.85 |
| 25th percentile | $29,360 | $14.12 |
| Median | $32,460 | $15.61 |
| 75th percentile | $36,720 | $17.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Average (mean) | $33,420 | $16.07 |
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 | $2,705 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,352.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,248.46 |
| Weekly | $624.23 |
| Hourly | $15.61 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $36,310 | 7,740 |
| Green Bay, WI | $34,650 | 460 |
| Madison, WI | $34,450 | 680 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $33,280 | 1,840 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $33,030 | 120 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $32,460 | 110 |
| Appleton, WI | $31,140 | 260 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $30,960 | 450 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $30,950 | 140 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $30,730 | 330 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $30,450 | 210 |
| Kenosha, WI | $30,290 | 150 |
| Wausau, WI | $30,210 | 130 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $30,040 | 140 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $29,270 | 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 |
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Residential Advisor | $41,690 | $20.04 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,100 | $23.61 |
| Skincare Specialist | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $30,160 | $14.50 |
| Gambling Dealer | $61,670 | $29.65 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for childcare workers in Wisconsin is $32,460 a year, or $15.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $42,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of childcare workers in Wisconsin earn at least $42,830 a year. The top 25% earn $36,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,650 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $29,360 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Wisconsin?
About 5,560 childcare workers are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.