Childcare Worker salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Childcare Workers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn a median of $30,720 a year ($14.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,180 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 2% higher than the Indiana statewide median of $30,180. There are 3.8 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,130 | $11.60 |
| 25th percentile | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Median | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| 75th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Average (mean) | $31,330 | $15.06 |
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 | $2,560 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,280 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,181.54 |
| Weekly | $590.77 |
| Hourly | $14.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $36,610 | 17,540 |
| Muncie, IN | $30,800 | 340 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,650 | 2,760 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,150 | 2,390 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $30,150 | 1,720 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $30,050 | 680 |
| Kokomo, IN | $29,930 | 120 |
| Evansville, IN | $29,880 | 400 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $29,840 | 380 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $29,790 | 130 |
| Bloomington, IN | $29,510 | 170 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,970 | 70 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,200 | 210 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Recreation Worker | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| Residential Advisor | $43,650 | $20.98 |
| Animal Caretaker | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $31,270 | $15.04 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,620 | $12.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| Skincare Specialist | $47,140 | $22.66 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
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 Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area is $30,720 a year, or $14.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area earn at least $36,180 a year. The top 25% earn $35,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,130 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $28,330 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
About 380 childcare workers are employed in the Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.