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Child care director salary
Average child care director salary
$37,471
Understanding Child Care Director Salaries
The average salary for a Child Care Director in the United States is approximately $37,471 per year, translating to about $18 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as geographical location, level of education, and years of experience. For instance, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries compared to others.
In addition, experience plays a critical role in determining salaries. Directors with several years in the field or additional certifications can command a higher wage. The demand for qualified Child Care Directors also influences salary ranges, indicating a growing need for professionals in this sector.
Salary Variations by State
Child Care Directors in metropolitan areas often earn more due to a higher cost of living and demand for quality care. Below are some of the highest paying states:
- California
- New York
- Massachusetts
Understanding these salary dynamics can assist you in making informed career choices and maximizing your earning potential in the field.
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Where can a Child Care Director earn more?
Child care director salary estimates from across the web
Average child care director salary by state
The highest-paying states for child care directors are Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Nevada. The lowest average child care director salary states are South Dakota, Alabama, and Indiana.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for child care directors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | $49,709 | $23.90 |
| 2 | Arizona | $44,243 | $21.27 |
| 3 | Delaware | $49,711 | $23.90 |
| 4 | Michigan | $44,594 | $21.44 |
| 5 | Oregon | $47,363 | $22.77 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $48,095 | $23.12 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $49,741 | $23.91 |
| 8 | Vermont | $41,497 | $19.95 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $44,836 | $21.56 |
| 10 | Maine | $41,721 | $20.06 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $37,126 | $17.85 |
| 12 | California | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| 13 | New Mexico | $43,598 | $20.96 |
| 14 | Mississippi | $37,546 | $18.05 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $42,899 | $20.62 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $46,631 | $22.42 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $38,287 | $18.41 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $46,771 | $22.49 |
| 19 | Washington | $43,026 | $20.69 |
| 20 | New York | $40,968 | $19.70 |
| 21 | Alaska | $39,291 | $18.89 |
| 22 | Connecticut | $43,420 | $20.88 |
| 23 | Louisiana | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $38,475 | $18.50 |
| 26 | Wyoming | $36,588 | $17.59 |
| 27 | Iowa | $35,012 | $16.83 |
| 28 | Ohio | $35,989 | $17.30 |
| 29 | Illinois | $35,277 | $16.96 |
| 30 | Utah | $37,166 | $17.87 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $39,975 | $19.22 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $32,581 | $15.66 |
| 33 | Colorado | $36,766 | $17.68 |
| 34 | Texas | $36,824 | $17.70 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $34,273 | $16.48 |
| 36 | Kansas | $35,545 | $17.09 |
| 37 | Florida | $37,511 | $18.03 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| 39 | Idaho | $35,596 | $17.11 |
| 40 | Missouri | $32,528 | $15.64 |
| 41 | Montana | $31,723 | $15.25 |
| 42 | Virginia | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| 43 | Alabama | $30,212 | $14.53 |
| 44 | Minnesota | $33,350 | $16.03 |
| 45 | Maryland | $36,822 | $17.70 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $28,899 | $13.89 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $31,175 | $14.99 |
| 48 | Tennessee | $29,078 | $13.98 |
| 49 | Georgia | $28,603 | $13.75 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $30,849 | $14.83 |
| 51 | Indiana | $29,489 | $14.18 |
Highest paying cities for child care directors
The highest-paying cities for child care directors are Easton, PA, Wellesley, MA, and Phoenix, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Easton, PA | $50,461 | $24.26 |
| 2 | Wellesley, MA | $46,656 | $22.43 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,416 | $21.35 |
| 4 | Bremerton, WA | $43,464 | $20.90 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $41,179 | $19.80 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, CO | $36,876 | $17.73 |
| 8 | Burleson, TX | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| 9 | Bethesda, MD | $36,147 | $17.38 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $35,549 | $17.09 |
| 11 | Madison, WI | $35,276 | $16.96 |
| 12 | Des Moines, IA | $34,603 | $16.64 |
| 13 | Minneapolis, MN | $33,401 | $16.06 |
| 14 | Wilson, NC | $31,761 | $15.27 |
| 15 | Fort Wayne, IN | $30,940 | $14.88 |
| 16 | Moore, OK | $29,063 | $13.97 |
| 17 | Carrollton, GA | $28,530 | $13.72 |
Child care director salary details
A child care director's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $57,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a child care director's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| 75th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
| Average | $37,471 | $3,123 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying child care director jobs
The highest paying types of child care directors are director, center director, and writing center director.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test Center Administrator | $26,135 | $2,178 | $12.57 | 95,722 |
| Parent Educator | $38,992 | $3,249 | $18.75 | 7,183 |
| Aquatic Director | $39,785 | $3,315 | $19.13 | 20,846 |
| Director | $113,489 | $9,457 | $54.56 | 230,711 |
| Center Director | $106,505 | $8,875 | $51.20 | 62,348 |
| Site Director | $43,762 | $3,647 | $21.04 | 21,166 |
Top companies hiring child care directors now:
Which companies pay child care directors the most?
Child care director salaries at Anthem and Educational are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average child care director salary at companies like CARE and Association for Mental Health and Wellness are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevance Health | $46,761 | $22.48 |
| 2 | Educational | $45,038 | $21.65 |
| 3 | CARE | $44,236 | $21.27 |
| 4 | Association for Mental Health and Wellness | $43,643 | $20.98 |
| 5 | Brown & Brown | $43,553 | $20.94 |
| 6 | Charter Schools USA | $40,368 | $19.41 |
| 7 | City Of Lafayette, Colorado | $39,471 | $18.98 |
| 8 | Right At School | $38,666 | $18.59 |
| 9 | St Luke's Hospital & Health Network Inc | $37,966 | $18.25 |
| 10 | Associated Recreation Council | $37,388 | $17.98 |
| 11 | Grandville Public Schools | $36,782 | $17.68 |
| 12 | Community Action Partnership of Lake County | $36,501 | $17.55 |
| 13 | Early Learning Indiana | $35,876 | $17.25 |
| 14 | St. Luke's Health System | $34,237 | $16.46 |
| 15 | Learning Care Group | $33,808 | $16.25 |
| 16 | Dayton Children's Hospital | $32,729 | $15.74 |
| 17 | Finger Lakes Community Health | $31,844 | $15.31 |
| 18 | UPMC | $31,654 | $15.22 |
| 19 | BrightStar Care | $31,115 | $14.96 |
| 20 | Choctaw Nation Of Oklahoma | $30,963 | $14.89 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Child care director salary trends
The average child care director salary has risen by $4,063 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average child care director earned $33,408 annually, but today, they earn $37,471 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for child care directors over the last decade.
Compare child care director salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average child care director salary over time
Compare child care director salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Child care director salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $37,500 | $18.01 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $36,700 | $17.67 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | $36,500 | $17.57 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $35,700 | $17.18 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $34,900 | $16.78 | +0.3% |
Recently added child care director salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Philadelphia YMCA | Child Care Director-Early Learning | Phoenixville, PA | 06/22/2025 | $53,000 |
| Ymca of Frederick County | Child Care Director 2 | Frederick, MD | 06/22/2025 | $52,000 |
| Columbia George Community College | Child Care Resource and Referral Director | The Dalles, OR | 06/20/2025 | $81,056 |
| Ymcaknoxville | Child Care Site Director | Knoxville, TN | 06/20/2025 | $39,500 |
| Ywca Northeasternny | Child Care | Schenectady, NY | 06/16/2025 | $33,392 |
| Cascade Christian Schools | Child Care Director | Tacoma, WA | 06/15/2025 | $50,000 |
| Sharkey's Charleston | Child Care and Pre-School Director | Charleston, SC | 06/15/2025 | $52,175 |
| Bright Horizons Family Solutions | Child Care Assistant Director | Harrisburg, PA | 06/14/2025 | $51,480 |
| The Learning Experience | Child Care Assistant Director | Austin, TX | 06/07/2025 | $40,000 |
| Southern District YMCA Camp Lincoln | School Aged Child Care Site Director-NOW for August! | Exeter, NH | 06/01/2025 | $37,566 |
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