economy

January 15, 2026

How much one parent needs to earn so the other can stay home in every U.S. state

Many families want or need one parent to stay at home with a young child. While that may help save on child care, the single-earner still needs a decent income.

How much one parent needs to earn so the other can stay home in every U.S. state

TL;DR

  • One parent staying home can save on childcare costs, which can exceed college tuition in many states.
  • This decision may negatively impact the stay-at-home parent's future salary prospects and career growth.
  • In Hawaii, a working parent needs to earn approximately $102,773 annually to support a family of three if the other parent stays home.
  • Women comprise 82% of stay-at-home parents, and leaving the workforce can result in missed salary increases and resume gaps.
  • For some families, the cost of childcare makes a career break for one parent an unavoidable financial decision.

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