Childcare Workers Salary in Lincoln, NE
Childcare Workers in Lincoln, NE make a median of $28,470 a year, or about $13.69 an hour. The range runs from $25K at the entry level to $37K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.58), which stretches that salary to about $31,088 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,141/month — about 56.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $28K get you in Lincoln?
About childcare workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lincoln, NE
Entry-level childcare workers (10th percentile) start around $25K. Mid-career wages sit at $28K.Top earners bring in $37K or more - a $12K spread from bottom to top.
Childcare Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $45K | +42% | 1,010 |
| Massachusetts | $39K | +23% | 12,370 |
| California | $38K | +19% | 47,190 |
| Vermont | $38K | +18% | 1,120 |
| Washington | $38K | +18% | 4,300 |
| New York | $37K | +14% | 42,780 |
| Hawaii | $36K | +14% | 1,860 |
| Oregon | $36K | +13% | 4,230 |
| Connecticut | $35K | +10% | 9,630 |
| Maryland | $35K | +10% | 8,910 |
| Arizona | $35K | +10% | 6,190 |
| Alaska | $35K | +9% | 1,260 |
| Rhode Island | $35K | +9% | 2,390 |
| Maine | $35K | +8% | 4,110 |
| New Hampshire | $35K | +8% | 2,530 |
Track childcare workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lincoln numbers change.
Related careers in Personal Care
Frequently asked questions
How much do childcare workers make in Lincoln, NE?
The median is $28,470 a year - that works out to about $13.69 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $24,960, and experienced childcare workers can clear $36,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $28K enough to live in Lincoln?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,019/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,141/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 56.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a childcare workers salary go in Lincoln?
Lincoln has a Regional Price Parity of 91.58 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median childcare workers salary is worth about $31,088 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do childcare workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.