Childcare Worker salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Childcare Workers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $38,390 a year ($18.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,450 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 4% lower than the California statewide median of $40,020. There are 3.9 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| 25th percentile | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Median | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| 75th percentile | $44,210 | $21.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $51,450 | $24.73 |
| Average (mean) | $41,620 | $20.01 |
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 | $3,199.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,599.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,476.54 |
| Weekly | $738.27 |
| Hourly | $18.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $38,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $45,720 | 3,090 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,540 | 8,260 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $42,860 | 370 |
| Modesto, CA | $41,920 | 660 |
| Napa, CA | $41,570 | 170 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $41,260 | 620 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $40,210 | 5,110 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $40,010 | 810 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $39,890 | 16,530 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $39,800 | 4,420 |
| Salinas, CA | $39,520 | 530 |
| Vallejo, CA | $38,850 | 570 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $38,390 | 2,280 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $38,340 | 860 |
| El Centro, CA | $38,220 | 380 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $38,050 | 330 |
| Redding, CA | $37,820 | 240 |
| Yuba City, CA | $37,550 | 220 |
| Visalia, CA | $37,190 | 680 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $36,890 | 200 |
| Chico, CA | $36,660 | 310 |
| Merced, CA | $36,590 | 390 |
| Fresno, CA | $36,480 | 1,520 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $36,190 | 1,690 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Recreation Worker | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Residential Advisor | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $43,160 | $20.75 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $35,130 | $16.89 |
| Animal Caretaker | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,760 | $17.68 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,230 | $17.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $55,710 | $26.78 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $43,670 | $21.00 |
| Concierge | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,430 | $18.00 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $38,390 a year, or $18.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $51,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $51,450 a year. The top 25% earn $44,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,410 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $37,250 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 790 childcare workers are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.