Childcare worker salary in California after taxes
The median childcare worker in California earns $40,020 a year ($19.24 an hour). After 2026 taxes, that's about $33,174 a year, or $1,275.92 every two weeks.
Take-home pay at each pay level
| Pay level | Gross / year | Take-home / year | Per month | Every 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,340 | $29,680 | $2,473 | $1,141.55 |
| 25th percentile | $37,600 | $31,367 | $2,614 | $1,206.44 |
| Median | $40,020 | $33,174 | $2,764 | $1,275.92 |
| 75th percentile | $46,320 | $37,877 | $3,156 | $1,456.80 |
| 90th percentile | $52,670 | $42,496 | $3,541 | $1,634.46 |
The 10th percentile means 10% of childcare workers in California earn less than this. New hires usually start near the 10th–25th percentile.
Your exact paycheck
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Childcare worker take-home pay in other states
California ranks #2 of 20 of the states we cover for median childcare worker take-home pay.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $41,680 | $35,092 |
| California | $40,020 | $33,174 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 | $33,130 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 | $31,974 |
| Alaska | $36,200 | $31,267 |
| New York | $37,590 | $30,724 |
| New Jersey | $36,390 | $30,497 |
| Florida | $34,210 | $29,668 |
| Illinois | $35,830 | $29,341 |
| Virginia | $34,330 | $28,604 |
| Nevada | $29,740 | $26,076 |
| Tennessee | $29,660 | $26,012 |
| Michigan | $30,970 | $25,999 |
| Ohio | $29,680 | $25,522 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,140 | $25,472 |
| Texas | $28,570 | $25,136 |
| North Carolina | $29,140 | $24,918 |
| Wyoming | $28,250 | $24,874 |
| South Dakota | $27,940 | $24,619 |
| Georgia | $28,020 | $24,035 |
Questions
How much does a childcare worker make in California after taxes?
The median childcare worker in California earns $40,020 a year ($19.24 an hour) before tax, according to BLS data for May 2025. After 2026 federal and state taxes that's about $33,174 a year, $2,764 a month or $1,275.92 every two weeks for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions.
How many childcare workers work in California?
About 52,780, according to the BLS May 2025 estimates.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, statewide, all industries. BLS wages include tips and commissions, not overtime premiums or benefits. Take-home uses 2026 tax rules for a single filer paid every two weeks with W-4 defaults and no pre-tax deductions.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state data)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and Annual Percentage Method tables
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
- California EDD, 2026 Withholding Schedules, Method B (exact calculation)
- California EDD: SDI withholding rate (1.3% in 2026, no wage cap)
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