SOC 39-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Childcare Workers — Washington
Washington · 10 metro areas compared
In Washington the median wage for Childcare Workers is $41,680 a year, which is 19.2% higher than the national figure of $34,980.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Washington the median wage for Childcare Workers is $41,680 a year, which is 19.2% higher than the national figure of $34,980. Half of workers earn between $37,460 and $44,770. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,340 and the ninetieth at $50,080.
The area has 4,340 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.2 of every thousand jobs. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Washington ranks 2nd by median wage. Seattle leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $43,710. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 720th of 757 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,340 | +1.0% |
| 25th | $37,460 | +7.1% |
| Median (50th) | $41,680 | +19.2% |
| 75th | $44,770 | +28.0% |
| 90th | $50,080 | +43.2% |
| Mean | $42,400 | +21.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $43,710 | 2,520 | |
| 2 | Longview | $42,300 | 30 | |
| 3 | Mount Vernon | $40,150 | 60 | |
| 4 | Bellingham | $38,820 | 130 | |
| 5 | Bremerton | $38,690 | 110 | |
| 6 | Olympia | $38,390 | 240 | |
| 7 | Wenatchee | $38,130 | 60 | |
| 8 | Kennewick | $37,840 | 180 | |
| 9 | Spokane | $37,230 | 290 | |
| 10 | Yakima | $36,550 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Washington run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $41,680 buys what $38,953 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 11.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$41,680as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,953US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $41,680 a year, 19.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,340 to $50,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,340 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 2nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $43,710.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Childcare Workers in Washington?
The median annual wage is $41,680, or $20.04 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 Washington is 19.2% higher. 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 Washington earns more than $50,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,340 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 Seattle, at $43,710 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,340 jobs in this occupation in Washington. 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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