Childcare Worker salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Childcare Workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $34,450 a year ($16.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,880 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 16% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $29,660. There are 4.8 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,950, close to the median.
Pay range for childcare workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,630 | $11.36 |
| 25th percentile | $29,460 | $14.16 |
| Median | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| 75th percentile | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Average (mean) | $33,950 | $16.32 |
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 | $2,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,435.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,325 |
| Weekly | $662.50 |
| Hourly | $16.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $34,450 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $29,590 | 1,800 |
| 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 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,190 | 320 |
| 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| Recreation Worker | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $37,970 | $18.26 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,430 | $16.56 |
| Animal Caretaker | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,820 | $13.86 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,110 | $18.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Entertainment Attendants and Related Workers, All Other | $28,620 | $13.76 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,040 | $22.61 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $34,450 a year, or $16.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $43,880 a year. The top 25% earn $37,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,630 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $29,460 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 5,280 childcare workers are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.