How much does a childcare worker make in California?
$40,020a year
Median yearly pay for childcare workers in California. That is $19.24 an hour or $3,335 a month.
- Hourly
- $19.24
- Vs. national median
- +14%
- Rank among states
- 5 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 52,780
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,340Median: $40,020Highest 10%: $52,670
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,340 | $16.99 | |
| 25th | $37,600 | $18.08 | |
| Median | $40,020 | $19.24 | |
| 75th | $46,320 | $22.27 | |
| 90th | $52,670 | $25.32 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $45,720 |
| San Francisco, CA | $44,540 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $42,860 |
| Modesto, CA | $41,920 |
| Napa, CA | $41,570 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $41,260 |
| Riverside, CA | $40,210 |
| Stockton, CA | $40,010 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $39,890 |
| San Diego, CA | $39,800 |
| Salinas, CA | $39,520 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,850 |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,390 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $38,390 |
| Oxnard, CA | $38,340 |
| El Centro, CA | $38,220 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $38,050 |
| Redding, CA | $37,820 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,550 |
| Visalia, CA | $37,190 |
| Hanford, CA | $36,890 |
| Chico, CA | $36,660 |
| Merced, CA | $36,590 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,480 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $36,190 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for childcare workers.
| 2. Washington | $41,680 |
| 3. Massachusetts | $40,900 |
| 4. Colorado | $40,750 |
| 5. California | $40,020 |
| 6. Oregon | $38,650 |
| 7. Vermont | $38,030 |
| 8. New York | $37,590 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $19.24 ($40,020 a year).
Do childcare workers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $40,020 against $34,980 nationally, 14% more.
Where does California rank for childcare worker pay?
California ranks 5 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays childcare workers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $45,720 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.