Childcare Worker salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
Childcare Workers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn a median of $30,150 a year ($14.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,130 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 4% higher than the Kentucky statewide median of $28,920. There are 2.5 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $33,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,490 | $10.33 |
| 25th percentile | $26,810 | $12.89 |
| Median | $30,150 | $14.50 |
| 75th percentile | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Average (mean) | $33,280 | $16.00 |
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 | $2,512.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,256.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,159.62 |
| Weekly | $579.81 |
| Hourly | $14.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $35,100 | 850 |
| Muncie, IN | $30,800 | 340 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $30,720 | 380 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $30,650 | 2,760 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $30,150 | 2,390 |
| 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 |
| Owensboro, KY | $29,150 | 170 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $28,970 | 70 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $28,940 | 90 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $28,420 | 770 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $28,200 | 210 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $26,800 | 90 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $25,360 | 540 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $24,960 | 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 Kentucky statewide figures.
Related jobs in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $30,190 | $14.52 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Residential Advisor | $25,310 | $12.17 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $37,740 | $18.14 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $29,220 | $14.05 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $33,620 | $16.16 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,040 | $13.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,750 | $18.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Animal Trainer | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Concierge | $32,370 | $15.56 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area is $30,150 a year, or $14.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area earn at least $48,130 a year. The top 25% earn $36,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,490 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $26,810 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN?
About 1,720 childcare workers are employed in the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.