Childcare Worker salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Childcare Workers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $28,190 a year ($13.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,410 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $29,660. There are 2.6 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $28,170, close to the median.
Pay range for childcare workers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,210 | $10.68 |
| 25th percentile | $25,980 | $12.49 |
| Median | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| 75th percentile | $29,590 | $14.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,410 | $17.03 |
| Average (mean) | $28,170 | $13.55 |
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 | $2,349.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,174.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,084.23 |
| Weekly | $542.12 |
| Hourly | $13.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,190 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,610 | 11,650 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,450 | 5,280 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $34,130 | 350 |
| Richmond, VA | $33,570 | 2,610 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $32,090 | 150 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $30,780 | 140 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $29,790 | 2,830 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $29,710 | 170 |
| Knoxville, TN | $29,590 | 1,800 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $29,500 | 280 |
| Roanoke, VA | $29,100 | 530 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $29,090 | 250 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,030 | 330 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $28,860 | 1,190 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $28,860 | 2,780 |
| Cleveland, TN | $28,510 | 250 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,420 | 770 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,800 | 110 |
| Jackson, TN | $27,540 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $35,750 | $17.19 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $28,670 | $13.78 |
| Residential Advisor | $29,940 | $14.39 |
| Animal Caretaker | $29,290 | $14.08 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $28,820 | $13.86 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,330 | $12.66 |
| Funeral Attendant | $28,780 | $13.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $45,440 | $21.85 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Skincare Specialist | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $37,740 | $18.14 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $28,190 a year, or $13.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $35,410 a year. The top 25% earn $29,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,210 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $25,980 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 320 childcare workers are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.