Salary data · Bespree
Childcare Worker Salary in New York City
Childcare Workers in the New York City area earn a median of $17.57/hr — based on BLS OEWS May 2024.
At median pay, that's roughly $36,546/year, $703/week, or $3,043/month (40-hour week, before taxes).
About childcare workers
Job duties, work environment, and education based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What childcare workers do
Childcare workers attend to the basic needs of children, including feeding, bathing, dressing, and supervising play. They organize age-appropriate activities that promote physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. Childcare workers also keep records of children's progress, communicate with parents about daily activities, and maintain a safe and clean environment. In structured settings, they may follow a planned curriculum.
Work environment
Childcare workers are employed in daycare centers, preschools, private homes, and religious institutions. The work is physically active — workers spend much of their time standing, walking, and bending to interact with children at their level. The environment can be noisy. Work hours may vary; some childcare workers work full time, while others have part-time or irregular schedules. Self-employed childcare workers set their own hours.
How to become one
Education requirements vary by setting and state regulations. Workers in childcare centers often need at least a high school diploma, and some states require postsecondary coursework in early childhood education. Workers in private homes may not need formal qualifications. CPR and first aid certification are commonly required. Many states require background checks for childcare workers.
Similar occupations
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — bls.gov/ooh. BLS content is in the public domain.
Hourly wage ranges
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th) | $15.15 | $31,512 |
| 25th percentile | $16.49 | $34,299 |
| Median (50th) | $17.57 | $36,546 |
| 75th percentile | $20.23 | $42,078 |
| Top earners (90th) | $21.92 | $45,594 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 · Annual estimate = hourly × 2,080 hrs · Actual annual income varies by hours worked and schedule.
Childcare Workers — Hourly Pay Distribution
Percentile range from entry-level to top earners
How New York City compares
Childcare Workers pay by metro
| Metro | Median/hr |
|---|---|
| New York City | $17.57 |
| Los Angeles | $18.30 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford | $17.64 |
| New Haven | $16.60 |
| Trenton-Princeton | $16.60 |
| Chicago | $16.40 |
| Miami | $15.30 |
| Philadelphia | $15.23 |
| Houston | $13.70 |
Childcare Workers — Median Hourly Pay by Metro
Sorted by median pay, highest to lowest
Job outlook for Childcare Workers
National employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
🔵 Little or no change
+1.8% projected growth, 2024–2034
+10,200
2024–2034
~117,200
New + replacement
553,700
2024 estimate
High school diploma
Entry-level
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034. Published August 2025. National-level projections — local growth may differ.
Skills & qualifications
Key skills and knowledge areas from O*NET OnLine, plus representative tools compiled by Bespree for childcare workers.
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Monitoring
- Service Orientation
- Speaking
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- Public Safety and Security
- Child safety equipment
- Educational toys
- First aid kits
- Playground equipment
- Childcare management software
Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree.
Commute-adjusted effective wage
What you actually earn after subtracting the cost of getting to work.
Effective hourly wage after estimated commute costs, based on a 40-hr work week.
| Commute mode | Monthly cost | Hourly impact | Effective wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| No commute cost (baseline) | — | — | $17.57 |
| NYC Subway (unlimited monthly) | ~$132/mo | −$0.76/hr | $16.81/hr |
| Driving + parking (estimate) | ~$550/mo | −$3.17/hr | $14.40/hr |
Methodology: Commute cost is deducted from median hourly wage assuming 2,080 working hours per year (52 weeks × 40 hrs). Costs are directional estimates based on published transit fares or AAA average variable driving costs. Actual costs vary by distance, schedule, vehicle, and commute days.
NYC Subway (unlimited monthly): MTA 30-day unlimited pass, 2024 rate.
Driving + parking (estimate): AAA avg variable cost + typical NYC street/garage parking.
Local job market
—
No current paid openings on Bespree
Public-sector pay signals
—
No current imported salary signals for this role
BLS estimates 46,800 childcare workers employed in the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area, or 7.3 per 1,000 jobs. (BLS OEWS May 2024)
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Data source: Wage data is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, BLS OEWS May 2024. Job outlook data is from the BLS Employment Projections program (BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034). BLS data is in the public domain. Occupation profile content summarized from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Skills and knowledge data from O*NET OnLine, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Bespree has selected and summarized a subset of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Tools & technology listed are representative examples compiled by Bespree. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after retrieval. Wage figures are estimates and do not constitute a guarantee of earnings. Actual pay depends on employer, experience, certifications, and hours worked. Weekly and monthly earnings shown assume a 40-hour work week and are pre-tax estimates. Commute cost figures are directional estimates based on published transit fares and AAA average variable driving cost data; actual commute costs vary.