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The average salary for a Child Development Associate Teacher is approximately $31,223 annually or about $15.01 per hour. Variations in salary can occur based on several factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the type of institution. For instance, urban areas often offer higher salaries due to the cost of living.
In states like California and New York, salaries tend to be significantly higher. For example, the highest-paying states report averages exceeding $40,000 annually. Understanding these regional differences can help educators make informed career choices.
Many Child Development Associate Teachers find work in preschools, daycare centers, and educational institutions. The demand for qualified professionals in early childhood education continues to grow, presenting numerous job opportunities across the country. Employers often look for candidates with relevant certifications and experience.
As with many professions, experience plays a crucial role in determining salary. Entry-level positions may start at lower wages, but with additional years of service and professional development, educators can see significant increases in their compensation.
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The highest-paying states for child development associate teachers are Massachusetts, Maryland, and Vermont. The lowest average child development associate teacher salary states are Louisiana, Idaho, and Oklahoma.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | $36,568 | $17.58 |
| 2 | Michigan | $33,713 | $16.21 |
| 3 | Maryland | $38,393 | $18.46 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $38,472 | $18.50 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $43,262 | $20.80 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $36,203 | $17.41 |
| 7 | Vermont | $37,731 | $18.14 |
| 8 | Hawaii | $37,258 | $17.91 |
| 9 | Montana | $31,040 | $14.92 |
| 10 | West Virginia | $33,258 | $15.99 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $30,399 | $14.61 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $30,707 | $14.76 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $35,074 | $16.86 |
| 14 | Alaska | $32,330 | $15.54 |
| 15 | Illinois | $33,467 | $16.09 |
| 16 | New York | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| 17 | Texas | $29,835 | $14.34 |
| 18 | Iowa | $30,545 | $14.69 |
| 19 | Colorado | $33,603 | $16.16 |
| 20 | South Dakota | $30,035 | $14.44 |
| 21 | Washington | $33,708 | $16.21 |
| 22 | Indiana | $28,847 | $13.87 |
| 23 | Kansas | $28,645 | $13.77 |
| 24 | Maine | $31,675 | $15.23 |
| 25 | New Mexico | $27,304 | $13.13 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $28,755 | $13.82 |
| 27 | North Dakota | $28,942 | $13.91 |
| 28 | California | $33,889 | $16.29 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $27,377 | $13.16 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $30,115 | $14.48 |
| 31 | Oregon | $31,318 | $15.06 |
| 32 | Missouri | $27,956 | $13.44 |
| 33 | Connecticut | $31,747 | $15.26 |
| 34 | Nevada | $26,514 | $12.75 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $26,183 | $12.59 |
| 36 | Arizona | $25,642 | $12.33 |
| 37 | Virginia | $29,151 | $14.01 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $25,840 | $12.42 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $23,386 | $11.24 |
| 40 | Ohio | $24,530 | $11.79 |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $24,375 | $11.72 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $25,840 | $12.42 |
| 43 | Georgia | $23,973 | $11.53 |
| 44 | Rhode Island | $26,796 | $12.88 |
| 45 | Florida | $21,012 | $10.10 |
| 46 | Utah | $26,335 | $12.66 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $23,965 | $11.52 |
| 48 | Delaware | $25,287 | $12.16 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $21,580 | $10.38 |
| 50 | Idaho | $23,584 | $11.34 |
| 51 | Alabama | $18,715 | $9.00 |
The highest-paying cities for child development associate teachers are Sacramento, CA, Ashburn, VA, and Norristown, PA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $35,463 | $17.05 |
| 2 | Ashburn, VA | $30,655 | $14.74 |
| 3 | Norristown, PA | $30,450 | $14.64 |
A child development associate teacher's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| Average | $31,223 | $2,602 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
The highest paying types of child development associate teachers are development associate, teacher, and pre-k teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floater | $31,721 | $2,643 | $15.25 | 6,071 |
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
| Pre-K Teacher | $40,301 | $3,358 | $19.38 | 60,464 |
| Lead Teacher | $33,652 | $2,804 | $16.18 | 56,131 |
| Preschool Teacher | $33,582 | $2,798 | $16.14 | 55,298 |
| Preschool Lead Teacher | $33,176 | $2,765 | $15.95 | 54,870 |
Top companies hiring child development associate teachers now:
Child development associate teacher salaries at Long Beach City College and Paso Robles Joint Unified School District are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average child development associate teacher salary at companies like Kern Community College District and Children's Hospital Los Angeles are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Beach City College | $43,968 | $21.14 |
| 2 | Paso Robles Joint Unified School District | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| 3 | Kern Community College District | $33,977 | $16.34 |
| 4 | Children's Hospital Los Angeles | $33,908 | $16.30 |
| 5 | Grass Valley (US), Inc. | $30,809 | $14.81 |
| 6 | Bright Horizons | $27,156 | $13.06 |
The average child development associate teacher salary has risen by $5,192 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average child development associate teacher earned $26,031 annually, but today, they earn $31,223 a year. That works out to a 11% change in pay for child development associate teachers over the last decade.
Compare child development associate teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare child development associate teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $31,200 | $15.01 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | $29,800 | $14.35 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $29,100 | $14.00 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $28,300 | $13.63 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | $28,200 | $13.53 | +0.8% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colusa County Office of Education | Associate Teachers-Child Development (5) | Colusa, CA | 06/13/2025 | $39,423 |
| DCA | Early Education Center (EEC) Child Development Infant/Toddler Associate Teacher | Sacramento, CA | 04/26/2025 | $43,326 |
| California Department of Education | Substitute Child Development Associate Teacher-Chico, Oroville, Magalia, and Gridley | Oroville, CA | 04/15/2025 | $38,463 |
| Colusa County Office of Education | Associate Teachers-Child Development (5) | Colusa, CA | 03/29/2025 | $39,423 |
| Bright Horizons | Associate Teacher-Jeannette Cathy Children's Center | College Park, GA | 02/28/2025 | $32,662 |
| Best Value Schools | Best 12 Associate In Child Development | Culver City, CA | 02/16/2025 | $29,000 |
| California Department of Education | Substitute Child Development Associate Teacher-Chico, Oroville, Magalia, and Gridley | Oroville, CA | 02/14/2025 | $38,463 |
| Colusa County Office of Education | Associate Teachers-Child Development (5) | Colusa, CA | 02/09/2025 | $39,423 |
| Kern Comunity College District | Child Development Center Associate Teacher | Bakersfield, CA | 02/05/2025 | $35,714 |
| California Department of Education | Associate Teacher-Child Development (6) | Colusa, CA | 01/30/2025 | $39,423 |
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