# Childcare Prices in Washington: Typical Ranges and What Drives Them _Last updated: 2026-10-05T07:43:17Z_ > Residents of Washington usually pay between $509 and $1,783 per job for childcare, and a typical job sits close to $953. ## Typical cost at a glance | Level | Price | | --- | --- | | Low | ~$509 | | Typical | ~$953 | | High | ~$1,783 | _Currency: USD, per job._ ## Cost by type | Type | Low | Typical | High | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Standard cost | ~$509 | ~$1,146 | ~$1,783 | | Part-time or occasional option | ~$193 | ~$614 | ~$1,034 | | Supplies and extras | ~$56.00 | ~$233 | ~$410 | | Full-time or premium option | ~$738 | ~$2,197 | ~$3,655 | | Summer or holiday coverage | ~$570 | ~$1,578 | ~$2,585 | ## What moves the price of childcare Labour, materials and timing explain most of the gap between two quotes for childcare. Access and preparation often matter as much as the headline task, so a job that needs extra setup or a second visit costs more even when the base price looks identical. ## Timing your childcare Urgent childcare work is priced for speed: overtime, priority materials and squeezed schedules all add cost. Planning a few weeks ahead is often the simplest way to stay near $953. ## What Childcare typically costs Most buyers in Washington see childcare quoted between $509 and $1,783 per job. The typical figure is close to $953, and that is the number worth writing into a budget before you request quotes. ## How to compare quotes for childcare Cheapest is not the same as best value for childcare. A slightly higher quote with a complete scope and no open-ended extras is often safer than the lowest figure with caveats. ## Who sets childcare prices childcare prices are set by the providers who do the work, not by a regulator or a single market rate. Their costs, capacity and risk assessment decide the figure you see. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does childcare cost? Most childcare falls between $509 and $1,783, with a typical figure near $953 per job. The low end is a straightforward job with no surprises; the high end covers complex scope, premium materials or urgent timing. It is worth testing that against a couple of quotes in Washington. ### What affects the price of childcare? Providers price risk as well as work. A job with unknowns costs more to guarantee, which is why two quotes for the same request can differ so much. Local providers in Washington can confirm how that applies to your area. ### Is Childcare cheaper in smaller cities? Often, but not always. Smaller markets can carry a travel or availability premium that offsets a lower local rate, so it is worth checking a nearby city before assuming the lowest published figure applies to you. In Washington, that is worth confirming with a local provider before you commit. ### How many quotes should I get for childcare? Two or three written quotes are enough to see the real market range. Compare the same scope side by side, and ask each provider what is excluded and what would change the price after the quote is accepted. The answer can shift with the Washington market, so check locally. ## Keep comparing - [Kids and Family](/category/kids-family/) - [Daycare](/washington/daycare/) - [Adoption](/washington/adoption/) - [Doula Services](/washington/doula/) - [Baby Costs](/washington/baby-costs/) - [Child Support](/washington/childcare-legal/) - [Summer Camps](/washington/summer-camps/) - [Alabama](/alabama/childcare/) - [Alaska](/alaska/childcare/) - [Arizona](/arizona/childcare/) - [Arkansas](/arkansas/childcare/) - [California](/california/childcare/) - [Colorado](/colorado/childcare/) - [Connecticut](/connecticut/childcare/) - [Delaware](/delaware/childcare/) - [District of Columbia](/district-of-columbia/childcare/) - [Florida](/florida/childcare/) - [Georgia](/georgia/childcare/) - [Hawaii](/hawaii/childcare/) - [Idaho](/idaho/childcare/) - [Illinois](/illinois/childcare/) - [Indiana](/indiana/childcare/) - [Iowa](/iowa/childcare/) - [Kansas](/kansas/childcare/) - [Kentucky](/kentucky/childcare/) - [Louisiana](/louisiana/childcare/) - [Maine](/maine/childcare/) - [Maryland](/maryland/childcare/) - [Massachusetts](/massachusetts/childcare/) - [Michigan](/michigan/childcare/) - [Minnesota](/minnesota/childcare/) - [Mississippi](/mississippi/childcare/) - [Missouri](/missouri/childcare/) - [Montana](/montana/childcare/) - [Nebraska](/nebraska/childcare/) - [Nevada](/nevada/childcare/) - [New Hampshire](/new-hampshire/childcare/) - [New Jersey](/new-jersey/childcare/) - [New Mexico](/new-mexico/childcare/) - [New York](/new-york/childcare/) - [North Carolina](/north-carolina/childcare/) - [North Dakota](/north-dakota/childcare/) - [Ohio](/ohio/childcare/) - [Oklahoma](/oklahoma/childcare/) - [Oregon](/oregon/childcare/) - [Pennsylvania](/pennsylvania/childcare/) - [Rhode Island](/rhode-island/childcare/) - [South Carolina](/south-carolina/childcare/) - [South Dakota](/south-dakota/childcare/) - [Tennessee](/tennessee/childcare/) - [Texas](/texas/childcare/) - [Utah](/utah/childcare/) - [Vermont](/vermont/childcare/) - [Virginia](/virginia/childcare/) - [Washington](/washington/childcare/) - [West Virginia](/west-virginia/childcare/) - [Wisconsin](/wisconsin/childcare/) - [Wyoming](/wyoming/childcare/) - [Ontario](/ontario/childcare/) - [Quebec](/quebec/childcare/) - [British Columbia](/british-columbia/childcare/) - [Alberta](/alberta/childcare/) - [Saskatchewan](/saskatchewan/childcare/) - [Manitoba](/manitoba/childcare/) - [Nova Scotia](/nova-scotia/childcare/) - [New Brunswick](/new-brunswick/childcare/) - [Newfoundland and Labrador](/newfoundland-and-labrador/childcare/) - [Prince Edward Island](/prince-edward-island/childcare/) - [Bellevue](/bellevue/) - [Everett](/everett/) - [Kent](/kent/) - [Seattle](/seattle/) - [Spokane](/spokane/) - [Tacoma](/tacoma/) --- These are planning ranges drawn from public price data and market research. They are not a quote, an offer or financial advice, and your actual price depends on the provider, the location and the scope of the work.