Childcare Worker salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Childcare Workers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $29,790 a year ($14.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $26,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,610 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 13% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $34,330. There are 3.7 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,920 | $12.94 |
| 25th percentile | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Median | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| 75th percentile | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,610 | $17.60 |
| Average (mean) | $31,720 | $15.25 |
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 | $2,482.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,241.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,145.77 |
| Weekly | $572.88 |
| Hourly | $14.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $34,130 | 350 |
| Richmond, VA | $33,570 | 2,610 |
| Asheville, NC | $32,150 | 520 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $32,150 | 430 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $32,090 | 150 |
| Burlington, NC | $31,030 | 170 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $30,970 | 800 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $30,780 | 140 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $30,390 | 3,790 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $30,060 | 820 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $29,710 | 170 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $29,590 | 130 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $29,500 | 280 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $29,310 | 120 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $29,240 | 900 |
| Roanoke, VA | $29,100 | 530 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $29,090 | 250 |
| Wilmington, NC | $29,040 | 480 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $28,680 | 2,070 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $28,460 | 250 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,190 | 320 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $28,130 | 140 |
| Greenville, NC | $28,110 | 220 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $27,740 | 150 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,350 | $17.48 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $27,460 | $13.20 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,870 | $14.84 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $28,260 | $13.59 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $44,280 | $21.29 |
| Skincare Specialist | $34,190 | $16.44 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| Funeral Attendant | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Concierge | $36,050 | $17.33 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $29,790 a year, or $14.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $26,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $36,610 a year. The top 25% earn $35,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $26,920 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $28,420 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 2,830 childcare workers are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.