SOC 39-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Childcare Workers — Michigan
Michigan · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Michigan is $30,970 a year, trailing the national median of $34,980 by 11.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Michigan is $30,970 a year, trailing the national median of $34,980 by 11.5%. Half of workers earn between $28,850 and $36,010. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,210 and the ninetieth at $39,340.
The area has 14,010 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.2 of every thousand jobs. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Michigan ranks 27th by median wage. Traverse City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $33,100. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 756th of 774 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,210 | −22.2% |
| 25th | $28,850 | −17.5% |
| Median (50th) | $30,970 | −11.5% |
| 75th | $36,010 | +2.9% |
| 90th | $39,340 | +12.5% |
| Mean | $33,100 | −5.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Traverse City | $33,100 | 230 | |
| 2 | Ann Arbor | $32,700 | 760 | |
| 3 | Lansing | $32,000 | 920 | |
| 4 | Flint | $31,930 | 630 | |
| 5 | Grand Rapids | $31,690 | 1,800 | |
| 6 | Detroit | $31,060 | 5,810 | |
| 7 | Battle Creek | $30,940 | 160 | |
| 8 | Jackson | $30,860 | 280 | |
| 9 | Kalamazoo | $30,420 | 410 | |
| 10 | Midland | $29,880 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $30,970 goes as far as $32,193 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,193US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,970 a year, 11.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,210 to $39,340 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 14,010 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 27th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Traverse City, at $33,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Childcare Workers in Michigan?
The median annual wage is $30,970, or $14.89 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $34,980, so pay in Michigan is 11.5% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Michigan earns more than $39,340 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,210 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Traverse City, at $33,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 14,010 jobs in this occupation in Michigan. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data