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Center director vs site director

The differences between center directors and site directors 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 site director. Additionally, a center director has an average salary of $106,505, which is higher than the $43,762 average annual salary of a site director.

The top three skills for a center director include customer service, oversight and proficiency testing. The most important skills for a site director are customer service, child care, and CPR.

Center director vs site director overview

Center DirectorSite Director
Yearly salary$106,505$43,762
Hourly rate$51.20$21.04
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs62,34821,166
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
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 site director do?

A site director is in charge of delegating tasks to supervisors, and overseeing all construction operations, implementing all safety policies and regulations to ensure a safe and productive work environment for all employees. They are also primarily responsible for coordinating with architects and clients, reporting progress or any issues to them, negotiating contracts, and even deciding on workforce and suppliers. Furthermore, it is crucial to monitor all operations and ensure that everything is within the allotted budget and deadline.

Center director vs site director salary

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

Center DirectorSite Director
Average salary$106,505$43,762
Salary rangeBetween $65,000 And $172,000Between $22,000 And $85,000
Highest paying CityNewark, DEPhiladelphia, PA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandDelaware
Best paying companyMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer CenterOkta
Best paying industry--

Differences between center director and site director education

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

Center DirectorSite Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorthwestern University

Center director vs site director demographics

Here are the differences between center directors' and site directors' demographics:

Center DirectorSite Director
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 29.0% Female, 71.0%Male, 35.0% Female, 65.0%
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, 11.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 4.4% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between center director and site director 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

Site director example responsibilities.

  • Manage all company quality functions, including serving as management representative with regulatory agencies (FDA, EU) and clients.
  • Plan activities for early childhood care at a child care program.
  • Certify health care provider in CPR and first aid.
  • Set up and maintain company website and Facebook page.
  • Purchase and write all advertising including TV, radio, newspaper and Facebook.
  • Complete training in CPR, distribution of medication, and psychology of elementary age children.
  • Show more

Center director vs site director skills

Common center director skills
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Oversight, 8%
  • Proficiency Testing, 6%
  • Center Management, 6%
  • State Regulations, 6%
  • Federal Regulations, 6%
Common site director skills
  • Customer Service, 24%
  • Child Care, 16%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Direct Supervision, 5%
  • Oversight, 4%
  • Youth Development, 4%

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