Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Preschool and childcare center directors supervise and lead their staffs, design program plans, oversee daily activities, and prepare budgets.
Is education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare a good career?
It scores 11/100 and ranks #657 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Tracked in official BLS wage and projection data, so the numbers here are verifiable
Possible tradeoffs
- Employment is projected to decline (-2.5% through 2034)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
- Often needs prior experience (less than 5 years)
What education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare earn between $47,040 and $75,500 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare jobs
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When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare openings will appear here — each shown against the $59,300 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Most states require preschool and childcare center directors to have at least a bachelor’s degree, but educational requirements vary by state. Employers may prefer candidates who have a degree, or at least some postsecondary coursework, in early childhood education. These programs teach child development, provide strategies for instructing young children, and show how to observe and document children’s progress.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
States may require childcare centers, including those in private homes, to be licensed. To qualify for licensure, staff must pass a background check and meet a minimum training requirement. Some states have more requirements, such as requiring staff to have certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.
Some employers have additional requirements such as professional credentials. Candidates may need to pay a fee, take coursework, obtain experience in the field, and be observed while working with children.
Important qualities
Business skills. Preschool and childcare center directors manage childcare centers and need to be able to operate the business effectively.
Communication skills. Directors inform parents and staff about the children’s progress. They need good writing and speaking skills to convey this information.
Interpersonal skills. Preschool and childcare center directors must be able to develop relationships with parents, children, and staff.
Leadership skills. Preschool and childcare center directors need leadership skills to supervise staff and inspire diligence. They also must enforce rules and regulations.
Organizational skills. Directors need to maintain clear records about children and staff. In addition, they must be able to multitask when several people or situations require their attention.
Related occupations
How much do education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare make?
The national median wage is $59,300 a year, with the middle half earning between $47,040 and $75,500 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 11 of 100 and ranks #657 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -2.5% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, usually with less than 5 years.
Where do education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare earn the most?
Among states, New York pays the highest median ($96,810). Local pay for every state and metro is below.