Post job

Center director vs parent educator

The differences between center directors and parent educators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a center director and a parent educator. Additionally, a center director has an average salary of $106,505, which is higher than the $38,992 average annual salary of a parent educator.

The top three skills for a center director include customer service, oversight and proficiency testing. The most important skills for a parent educator are child development, social work, and community resources.

Center director vs parent educator overview

Center DirectorParent Educator
Yearly salary$106,505$38,992
Hourly rate$51.20$18.75
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs62,3487,183
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4747
Years of experience44

What does a center director do?

A center director is responsible for ensuring and maintaining the efficiency of child care facilities. Their role is to conduct various assessments, ensure that all aspects adhere to federal requirements, develop programs and supplemental activities in collaboration with child care experts, recruit and hire an efficient workforce, and train staff for professional development. Furthermore, a center director is also responsible for managing budgets, handling issues, meeting parents or guardians to discuss the scope of programs or any other concerns, and implementing policies and regulations.

What does a parent educator do?

A parent educator is an individual who specializes in tutoring parents on skills to help them raise children who are healthy and well-rounded. You will help parents learn the skills they may need to raise children who are healthy emotionally, psychologically, and physically. Parent educators can work as social workers employed by a public agency, in schools and childcare centers, or can be self-employed counselors who specialize in child care and parenting skills.

Center director vs parent educator salary

Center directors and parent educators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Center DirectorParent Educator
Average salary$106,505$38,992
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $172,000Between $28,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityNewark, DEAllentown, PA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandRhode Island
Best paying companyMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterEasterseals
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between center director and parent educator education

There are a few differences between a center director and a parent educator in terms of educational background:

Center DirectorParent Educator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Center director vs parent educator demographics

Here are the differences between center directors' and parent educators' demographics:

Center DirectorParent Educator
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 29.0% Female, 71.0%Male, 9.0% Female, 91.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between center director and parent educator duties and responsibilities

Center director example responsibilities.

  • Manage programs provide by SDE, DMH, DHS.
  • Design, implement and manage day-to-day operation of the 21st CCLC grant support afterschool program.
  • Manage daily operations of NAEYC accredit childcare center.
  • Manage daily operation for a family-own business with responsibility for sales, production, and administrative functions including payroll.
  • Manage delivery of quality early childhood education programs by establishing an environment of learning and maintaining the integrity of the programs.
  • Lead a staff of 76 FTE's.
  • Show more

Parent educator example responsibilities.

  • Provide assistance for patients navigating government and community agencies.
  • Provide and assist in a variety of parenting classes, including CPR and health classes.
  • Develop courses, and provide training for infant CPR and newborn care for expectant parents.
  • Maintain effective verbal and written communication with clients, DCS case managers, teachers, adjustment councilors, and probation officers.
  • Support parents throughout pregnancy until their children enter kindergarten.
  • Advocate and encourage community coalition to support at-risk families.
  • Show more

Center director vs parent educator skills

Common center director skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • Proficiency Testing, 6%
  • Center Management, 6%
  • State Regulations, 6%
  • Federal Regulations, 6%
Common parent educator skills
  • Child Development, 17%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • Community Resources, 12%
  • Mental Health, 6%
  • Family Support, 4%
  • Child Abuse, 4%

Browse executive management jobs