Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New Jersey NJ | $74,935 | $36.03/hr | $62,759 | 220 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 119.4 |
| #2 | New York NY | $73,058 | $35.12/hr | $56,112 | 5,650 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 130.2 |
| #3 | Washington WA | $72,494 | $34.85/hr | $62,983 | 1,220 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 115.1 |
| #4 | Alaska AK | $70,030 | $33.67/hr | $58,750 | 40 | Anchorage, AK | 119.2 |
| #5 | Massachusetts MA | $68,783 | $33.07/hr | $52,586 | 2,220 | Barnstable Town, MA | 130.8 |
| #6 | Hawaii HI | $65,405 | $31.44/hr | $40,224 | 200 | Urban Honolulu, HI | 162.6 |
| #7 | California CA | $65,157 | $31.33/hr | $44,115 | 9,470 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 147.7 |
| #8 | New Mexico NM | $65,020 | $31.26/hr | $65,809 | 50 | Las Cruces, NM | 98.8 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance & Management Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance & Management occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, & career ladder progression for Education & Childcare Administrators. Official 2026 economic data for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare is $59,300 per year ($28.51/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 245 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $38,500 in Lawton, OK to $98,470 in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $98,470 | +66.1% |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $83,600 | +41.0% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $78,770 | +32.8% |
| Salinas, CA | $76,620 | +29.2% |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $76,390 | +28.8% |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $74,080 | +24.9% |
| Vineland, NJ | $73,480 | +23.9% |
| Visalia, CA | $73,100 | +23.3% |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $72,910 | +23.0% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $72,560 | +22.4% |
| Yakima, WA | $72,250 | +21.8% |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $71,150 | +20.0% |