Salary comparison
Childcare Workers: Denver vs Modesto
Denver, CO pays about 5.7% more for childcare workers on paper — $44,320 vs $41,920. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Denver comes out ahead by $2,400 a year in real buying power.
Denver, CO
$44,320
$39,400
$46,610
$21.31
100
$44,320/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Modesto, CA
$41,920
$37,840
$44,820
$20.16
100
$41,920/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $2,400 a year (5.7%) in favor of Denver. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Denver runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Modesto sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Denver is the better deal by $2,400 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Modesto to Denver for this role, the raise needs to beat 5.7% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do childcare workers earn more, Denver or Modesto?
Denver pays $44,320 on median — about 5.7% more than Modesto ($41,920). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Denver. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Denver gives you roughly$44,320 of real buying power versus $41,920 in the other city.