Childcare Workers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $28,410 -11.4% vs national
Median hourly $13.66
10th percentile $21,230
90th percentile $35,400
Employed locally 1,810
National median $32,050

Compare Childcare Workers salary & buying power

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Childcare Workers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,230
    25th
    $23,260
    50th (median)
    $28,410
    75th
    $29,470
    90th
    $35,400

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Childcare Workers salary vs area income 43% Median Childcare Workers salary is 57% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Childcare Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL $47,730
    District of Columbia $45,400
    Ocala, FL $44,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $44,970
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,640
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $42,810

    Nearby metros — Childcare Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $44,970
    Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $38,680
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $35,230
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $34,380
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $31,260
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $30,160

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Animal Caretakers$29,620
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants$23,740
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$39,870
    Recreation Workers$30,550
    Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$27,090
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$29,400

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Childcare Workers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Childcare Workers in Columbia, SC is $13.66, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.99 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Childcare Workers salaries?

    The median Childcare Workers salary in Columbia, SC is 11.4% below the national median of $32,050. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Childcare Workers in Columbia?

    Entry-level Childcare Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,230 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,260.