Childcare Worker Salary in Tennessee: $32,000 Average

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Average base salary, Tennessee

$32,000 / year

≈ $2,650 per month · $15.38 per hour

LocationOr metro area

BLS May 2025 state data for Tennessee · median $30,500

25th percentile
$28,000Average
$32,00075th percentile
$36,500

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.

Childcare Worker salary by state

Alabama$26,000

Alaska$39,000

Arizona$37,500

Arkansas$30,000

California$44,500

Colorado$44,000

Connecticut$39,500

Delaware$35,500

District of Columbia$50,000

Florida$37,000

Georgia$30,000

Hawaii$39,500

Idaho$32,500

Illinois$38,000

Indiana$32,500

Iowa$30,500

Kansas$31,500

Kentucky$31,500

Louisiana$26,500

Maine$38,500

Maryland$39,500

Massachusetts$44,000

Michigan$34,500

Minnesota$37,000

Mississippi$25,000

Missouri$34,500

Montana$34,500

Nebraska$34,000

Nevada$33,000

New Hampshire$37,500

New Jersey$39,000

New Mexico$37,000

New York$41,000

North Carolina$32,000

North Dakota$33,000

Ohio$33,000

Oklahoma$30,000

Oregon$40,500

Pennsylvania$32,500

Rhode Island$38,000

South Carolina$31,500

South Dakota$31,000

Tennessee$32,000

Texas$30,000

Utah$34,000

Vermont$41,000

Virginia$36,500

Washington$44,000

West Virginia$28,500

Wisconsin$34,500

Wyoming$32,500

About this role

Childcare Worker is a professional role in the Personal Care and Service job family, focused on Childcare Worker work. Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.

What Childcare Workers do

Typical education: High School Diploma

Maintain a safe play environment.
Observe and monitor children's play activities.
Communicate with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
Care for children in institutional setting, such as group homes, nursery schools, private businesses, or schools for people with disabilities.

Top skills: Monitoring Service Orientation Social Perceptiveness Speaking Critical Thinking Coordination

Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).

Childcare Worker salary by industry

Health Care and Social Assistance

305,330 workers

$35,500

Educational Services

124,760 workers

$39,500

Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)

104,720 workers

$40,000

Other Services (except Public Administration)

34,800 workers

$35,000

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

30,480 workers

$30,500

Federal, State, and Local Government, excl. State & Local Schools & Hospitals & USPS

12,410 workers

$37,000

Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services

6,970 workers

$38,500

State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)

2,840 workers

$40,500

National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.

How this role compares

Childcare Worker pays 25% below the average across 32 roles in the Personal Care and Service job family (family average $48,000).

Similar-paying roles in Personal Care and Service

Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other$36,000

Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners$38,000

Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$34,500

Funeral Attendant$38,500

Amusement and Recreation Attendants$33,500

Shampooer$33,000

Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants$40,000

Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$41,500

Gambling Service Workers, All Other$43,000

Concierge$44,000

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Childcare Worker make?

The average base salary for a Childcare Worker in the United States is $36,000 per year, or about $17.31 per hour.

What is the typical salary range?

Pay typically falls between $30,500 and $40,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.

How does this compare with other Personal Care and Service roles?

The Personal Care and Service job family averages $48,000 across 32 roles tracked by WePayFairly.

Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.

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