Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare Salary in 2026
How Much Do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycares Make?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycares earn a median annual salary of $56,270 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $37,060 at the 10th percentile to $96,400 at the 90th percentile — a range of $59,340. The highest-paying state is New York at $79,660.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,060 |
| 25th percentile | $45,310 |
| Median (50th) | $56,270 |
| 75th percentile | $72,690 |
| 90th percentile | $96,400 |
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Yorktop | $79,660 |
| District of Columbia | $76,270 |
| Massachusetts | $68,660 |
| New Mexico | $67,780 |
| New Jersey | $66,360 |
| California | $65,420 |
| Washington | $64,360 |
| Delaware | $63,950 |
| Hawaii | $63,220 |
| Nebraska | $61,590 |
| Colorado | $61,150 |
| Connecticut | $60,300 |
| Nevada | $60,200 |
| Minnesota | $59,850 |
| Virginia | $59,420 |
| Utah | $59,400 |
| Vermont | $58,260 |
| Wisconsin | $57,790 |
| South Dakota | $55,270 |
| Michigan | $55,100 |
| Oregon | $54,510 |
| Montana | $52,300 |
| Kansas | $51,670 |
| Maine | $50,620 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,540 |
| North Carolina | $50,270 |
| Indiana | $50,250 |
| Rhode Island | $50,130 |
| New Hampshire | $50,000 |
| Florida | $49,990 |
| Arizona | $49,220 |
| Illinois | $48,580 |
| Texas | $48,510 |
| Wyoming | $47,230 |
| Ohio | $47,140 |
| South Carolina | $46,650 |
| Iowa | $46,550 |
| North Dakota | $46,300 |
| Tennessee | $45,620 |
| Georgia | $44,510 |
| West Virginia | $44,240 |
| Oklahoma | $44,110 |
| Arkansas | $42,430 |
| Alabama | $41,150 |
| Mississippi | $40,630 |
| Louisiana | $40,220 |
| Missouri | $39,370 |
| Kentucky | $38,860 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycares
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$37,060 – $45,310 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$56,270 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$72,690 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $96,400+ |
How to Earn More as an Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycares in New York earn $79,660 — $23,390 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($72,690) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycarethis career | $56,270 |
| Training and Development Manager | $127,090 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,070 |
| Education Administrator | $103,960 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $117,960 |
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SOC: 11-9031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.