SOC 39-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Childcare Workers — Southwest Alabama
Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay in Southwest Alabama, AL is $22,190 a year, 36.6% under the national median of $34,980 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Southwest Alabama, AL is $22,190 a year, 36.6% under the national median of $34,980 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $19,890 and $26,840. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $17,030 and the ninetieth at $27,450.
The area has 200 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.91 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Huntsville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $23,110. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 246th of 252 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17,030 | −51.3% |
| 25th | $19,890 | −43.1% |
| Median (50th) | $22,190 | −36.6% |
| 75th | $26,840 | −23.3% |
| 90th | $27,450 | −21.5% |
| Mean | $23,240 | −33.6% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | $23,110 | 440 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $23,070 | 920 | |
| 3 | Montgomery | $22,720 | 660 | |
| 4 | Auburn | $22,640 | — | |
| 5 | Mobile | $22,350 | 370 | |
| 6 | Daphne | $22,280 | 180 | |
| 7 | Decatur | $22,170 | 100 | |
| 8 | Tuscaloosa | $22,040 | 150 | |
| 9 | Dothan | $21,910 | 140 | |
| 10 | Gadsden | $21,050 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $22,190 goes as far as $24,989 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$22,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$24,989US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $22,190 a year, 36.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $17,030 to $27,450 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 200 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntsville, at $23,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Childcare Workers in Southwest Alabama, AL?
The median annual wage is $22,190, or $10.67 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 Southwest Alabama, AL is 36.6% 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 Southwest Alabama, AL earns more than $27,450 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $17,030 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 Huntsville, at $23,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 200 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Alabama, AL. 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.
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