Childcare Workers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $36,170 +12.9% vs national
Median hourly $17.39
10th percentile $33,580
90th percentile $50,920
Employed locally 410
National median $32,050

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Childcare Workers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,580
    25th
    $35,220
    50th (median)
    $36,170
    75th
    $43,950
    90th
    $50,920

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Childcare Workers salary vs area income 33% Median Childcare Workers salary is 67% 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
    Ocala, FL $44,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $44,970
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $43,640
    Modesto, CA $39,610
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,460
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $39,290

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $34,690
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors $52,510
    Recreation Workers $37,020
    Animal Caretakers $37,650
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $39,790
    First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services $53,340

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Childcare Workers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Childcare Workers in Santa Cruz, CA is $17.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.30 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Childcare Workers salaries?

    The median Childcare Workers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 12.9% above 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Childcare Workers (10th percentile) earn around $33,580 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,220.