Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earn a median of $59,300 per year ($28.51/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 3.1% through 2035, with about 5,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 11-9031
- Management
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare in four numbers
- Median pay
- $59,300a year, or $28.51/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $39KTop 10% $98K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -3.1%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−3.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −3.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 5,20091,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202591.9K
- Projected 203589K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 91.9K Projected 2035 89K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: Child Care Center Director, Child Care Director, Childcare Director, Day Care Director, Early Childhood Program Supervisor (ECP Supervisor), Early Childhood Services Director.
Pay
How much do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare make?
Every education and childcare administrator, preschool and daycare in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$59,300
Middle half earn $47,040 to $75,500
- 10th
- $38,580
- 25th
- $47,040
- 75th
- $75,500
- 90th
- $98,240
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $38,580 |
| 25th | $47,040 |
| Median | $59,300 |
| 75th | $75,500 |
| 90th | $98,240 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $59,300
- Median hourly wage
- $28.51/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $64,800
- People employed
- 73,660
Versus all US occupations
At $59,300, Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earn 16% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $8,320 a year.
Versus management occupations
Inside the Management group, where the middle occupation pays $126,060, this is 53% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $98,240 or more while the bottom 10% earn $38,580, a gap of 2.5×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 31% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New York pays the most at $96,810, and still leads at $89,705 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York | $96,810 | $89,705 | 3,950 |
| 2New Jersey | $78,770 | $72,396 | 2,900 |
| 3District of Columbia | $77,850 | $70,836 | 410 |
| 4Alaska | $75,540 | $73,799 | 60 |
| 5Washington | $70,470 | $65,852 | 1,560 |
| 6Massachusetts | $70,320 | $66,492 | 2,260 |
| 7California | $67,100 | $60,603 | 9,810 |
| 8Hawaii | $65,080 | $59,190 | 260 |
| 9Colorado | $64,620 | $62,706 | 1,150 |
| 10South Dakota | $63,240 | $71,388 | 150 |
Job outlook
Is Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -3.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | −3.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare to change -3.1% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 2,900 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 5,200 openings are projected each year, 5.7% of the 91,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Early childhood education is widely recognized as important for a child’s intellectual and emotional development. However, low birth rates and the rising cost of childcare may limit the demand for preschool and childcare center directors over the projections decade.
Getting in
How to become an Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare
A bachelor’s degree and experience in early childhood education are typically required to become a preschool or childcare center director. However, educational requirements vary. Additionally, some employers require these directors to have a nationally recognized credential.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does an Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
Preschool and childcare center directors supervise and lead staffs, design program plans, oversee daily activities, and prepare budgets. They are responsible for all aspects of their center’s program, which may include before- and after-school care.
Day-to-day tasks
- Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff and recommend personnel actions for programs and services.
- Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies and students' behavioral or learning problems.
- Determine allocations of funds for staff, supplies, materials, and equipment and authorize purchases.
- Monitor students' progress and provide students and teachers with assistance in resolving any problems.
- Direct and coordinate activities of teachers or administrators at daycare centers, schools, public agencies, or institutions.
- Determine the scope of educational program offerings and prepare drafts of program schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements.
- Prepare and maintain attendance, activity, planning, accounting, or personnel reports and records for officials and agencies, or direct preparation and maintenance activities.
- Set educational standards and goals and help establish policies, procedures, and programs to carry them out.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most preschool and childcare center directors work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. They are on the job while the childcare center is open and may work early in the morning and late in the evening, particularly in centers that provide before- and after-school care. In large facilities, the director and assistant directors may stagger their schedules to ensure that someone is always onsite.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Child daycare services72%
- Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations10%
- Self-employed workers6%
- Elementary and secondary schools; private3%
- Elementary and secondary schools; local3%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Child daycare services | 72% |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 10% |
| Self-employed workers | 6% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; private | 3% |
| Elementary and secondary schools; local | 3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Writing3.9
- Active Learning3.9
- Learning Strategies3.9
- Monitoring3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Writing | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Coordination3.9
- Instructing3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Management of Personnel Resources3.9
- Service Orientation3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Time Management3.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Coordination | 3.9 |
| Instructing | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 3.9 |
| Service Orientation | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Time Management | 3.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software
- Desktop communications software
- Desktop publishing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Instant messaging software
- Internet browser software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits an Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 1 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 6 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Social6.5
- Enterprising4.8
- Conventional4.5
- Investigative2.9
- Artistic2.8
- Realistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare
O*NET related occupations
- Management
Education Administrator, Kindergarten through Secondary
$105,870median a year
Most earn $76K to $168K
−0.3%Master's - Educational Instruction and Library
Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education
$38,140median a year
Most earn $29K to $61K
+4.5%Associate's - Management
- Educational Instruction and Library
Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten
$67,170median a year
Most earn $49K to $105K
−0.1%Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed - Educational Instruction and Library
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School
$74,260median a year
Most earn $50K to $109K
−0.2%Bachelor's - Educational Instruction and Library
More management careers
Median annual pay, with education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare highlighted
- IT Manager$175,140
- Marketing Manager$166,790
- Financial Manager$166,570
- Human Resources Manager$149,280
- Sales Manager$148,270
- Construction Manager$114,990
- Supply Chain Manager$107,230
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager$69,990
- Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare$59,300
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| IT Manager | $175,140 |
| Marketing Manager | $166,790 |
| Financial Manager | $166,570 |
| Human Resources Manager | $149,280 |
| Sales Manager | $148,270 |
| Construction Manager | $114,990 |
| Supply Chain Manager | $107,230 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Manager | $69,990 |
| Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare | $59,300 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within education and childcare administrator, preschool and daycare
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare appears on
Questions
Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare: frequently asked questions
How much do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare make?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earn a median of $59,300 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 16% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $28.51/hr. The middle half earn between $47,040 and $75,500. The top 10% earn $98,240 or more.
Do you need a degree to become an Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first.
Is Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 3.1% over 2025–2035, a loss of 2,900 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 5,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does an Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare do?
Preschool and childcare center directors supervise and lead staffs, design program plans, oversee daily activities, and prepare budgets. A core O*NET task: recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff and recommend personnel actions for programs and services. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare the most?
The highest state medians for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare are New York ($96,810), New Jersey ($78,770), District of Columbia ($77,850) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits an Education and Childcare Administrator, Preschool and Daycare?
O*NET scores Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare highest on the Social, Enterprising and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ENFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.