Childcare Worker salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Childcare Workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $31,870 a year ($15.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,860 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,760 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 7% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $29,650. There are 4.7 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,620 | $12.80 |
| 25th percentile | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| Median | $31,870 | $15.32 |
| 75th percentile | $37,280 | $17.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,760 | $19.60 |
| Average (mean) | $33,350 | $16.03 |
Half of childcare workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,655.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,327.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,225.77 |
| Weekly | $612.88 |
| Hourly | $15.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $31,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Childcare Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $30,740 | 220 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $30,390 | 3,790 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,430 | 620 |
| Columbia, SC | $28,850 | 1,670 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $28,850 | 410 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $28,730 | 2,000 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $28,440 | 1,740 |
| Florence, SC | $27,780 | 410 |
| Sumter, SC | $27,660 | 300 |
Highest-paying states for childcare workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,340 |
| Washington | $41,680 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 |
| Colorado | $40,750 |
| California | $40,020 |
| Oregon | $38,650 |
| Vermont | $38,030 |
| New York | $37,590 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 |
| Hawaii | $37,030 |
See Childcare Worker pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $36,550 | $17.57 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $47,280 | $22.73 |
| Residential Advisor | $34,090 | $16.39 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,730 | $14.29 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $46,270 | $22.24 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,410 | $14.62 |
| Skincare Specialist | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,850 | $16.76 |
| Concierge | $37,980 | $18.26 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $31,870 a year, or $15.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $40,760 a year. The top 25% earn $37,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,620 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $28,870 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 1,860 childcare workers are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.