The True Cost of Quality Child Care in Washington A report by the Washington Child Care Collaborative Task Force | Page 23

MIT ' s Living Wage Model

The Child Care Collaborative Task Force recommends setting a living wage floor based on MIT ’ s Living Wage Model for every member of the workforce while adjusting for the additional responsibilities of different staff positions . MIT ’ s Living Wage Model is an alternative measure of basic needs . It is a market-based approach that draws upon geographically specific expenditure data related to a family ’ s likely costs for minimum food , child care , health insurance , housing , transportation and other basic necessities . The living wage draws on these cost elements and the rough effects of income and payroll taxes to determine the minimum earnings necessary to meet a family ’ s basic needs while maintaining self-sufficiency .
Salary scales in model ( centers ) Current salaries MIT living wage salaries
Program director $ 35,265 - $ 40,569 $ 85,245 - $ 106,257
Assistant director $ 31,449 - $ 36,512 $ 70,451 - $ 87,816
Administrative assistant $ 30,139 - $ 34,715 $ 44,420 - $ 55,369
Lead teacher $ 31,302 - $ 37,261 $ 57,746 - $ 71,980
Assistant teacher $ 26,040 - $ 29,126 $ 44,420 - $ 55,369
Aide / floater $ 19,781 - $ 26,597 $ 44,420 - $ 55,369
Salary scales in model ( family
homes )
Current salaries
MIT living wage salaries
Family child care provider / owner $ 34,427 - $ 58,042 $ 73,702 - $ 91,695
Family child care assistant teacher $ 26,040 - $ 29,126 $ 44,420 - $ 55,369
Ranges indicate variation across regions . Living wage data from the MIT Living Wage calculator is calculated based on simulated family size of assistant teacher or FCC providers , and is adjusted for other positions to account for additional responsibilities .
2022 COST OF QUALITY CHILD CARE LEGISLATIVE REPORT 20