How much does a education and childcare administrator make?
The median education and childcare administrator in the United States earns $59,300 per year, about $28.51 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all education and childcare administrators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-9031.
Education and childcare administrator salary range
Pay for education and childcare administrators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,580 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $98,240. The average (mean) wage of $64,800 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,580 | $18.55 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,040 | $22.62 | |
| Median (50th) | $59,300 | $28.51 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $75,500 | $36.30 | |
| 90th percentile | $98,240 | $47.23 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare (SOC 11-9031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Education and childcare administrator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Education and childcare administrators earn the most in New York at $96,810 a year, and the least in Alabama at $41,780. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $96,810 | 3,950 |
| New Jersey | $78,770 | 2,900 |
| District of Columbia | $77,850 | 410 |
| Alaska | $75,540 | 60 |
| Washington | $70,470 | 1,560 |
| Massachusetts | $70,320 | 2,260 |
| California | $67,100 | 9,810 |
| Hawaii | $65,080 | 260 |
| Colorado | $64,620 | 1,150 |
| South Dakota | $63,240 | 150 |
| Vermont | $63,220 | 190 |
| Maryland | $62,520 | 1,270 |
| Minnesota | $62,020 | 1,010 |
| Utah | $60,980 | 400 |
| Georgia | $60,300 | 1,550 |
| Oregon | $60,250 | 1,230 |
| Nevada | $60,120 | N/A |
| Maine | $60,090 | 240 |
| Wisconsin | $59,930 | 1,320 |
| Connecticut | $59,760 | 1,290 |
| Indiana | $58,740 | 750 |
| Illinois | $58,550 | 3,090 |
| Delaware | $58,230 | 420 |
| North Carolina | $57,200 | 2,410 |
| Kansas | $56,970 | 600 |
| Michigan | $56,870 | 1,890 |
| Florida | $56,750 | 5,980 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,380 | 4,100 |
| Wyoming | $56,170 | 160 |
| Nebraska | $56,160 | 550 |
| Rhode Island | $55,290 | 390 |
| New Hampshire | $55,120 | 410 |
| Virginia | $53,320 | 1,590 |
| North Dakota | $51,390 | 290 |
| South Carolina | $51,200 | 700 |
| Texas | $50,840 | 5,480 |
| Mississippi | $49,740 | 580 |
| Ohio | $49,580 | 3,030 |
| Tennessee | $49,200 | 710 |
| Idaho | $48,530 | 200 |
| Arizona | $48,160 | 1,210 |
| Montana | $48,140 | 180 |
| Missouri | $47,940 | 1,060 |
| Iowa | $47,480 | 1,020 |
| Oklahoma | $46,690 | 830 |
| Louisiana | $46,030 | 690 |
| West Virginia | $45,660 | 290 |
| Arkansas | $44,990 | 1,090 |
| Kentucky | $44,530 | 1,000 |
| Alabama | $41,780 | 940 |
State median wages for education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare (SOC 11-9031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for education and childcare administrators
The BLS projects employment of education and childcare administrators to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 3.1%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 91,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 89,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 5,200 openings a year for education and childcare administrators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an education and childcare administrator
The typical entry-level education for education and childcare administrators is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an education and childcare administrator earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $96,810) and the lowest (Alabama, $41,780) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 73,660 people work as education and childcare administrators in the United States. At $59,300 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Education and childcare administrator salary FAQ
How much does an education and childcare administrator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an education and childcare administrator is $28.51. The middle half of education and childcare administrators earn between $22.62 and $36.30 per hour.
What is the highest education and childcare administrator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of education and childcare administrators earn more than $98,240 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an education and childcare administrator make a year?
The median annual salary for an education and childcare administrator is $59,300. The average (mean) wage of $64,800 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an education and childcare administrator a well paid job?
At $59,300 a year, an education and childcare administrator earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 73,660 people work as education and childcare administrators in the United States.
Which state pays education and childcare administrators the most?
New York has the highest median salary for education and childcare administrators at $96,810 a year. New Jersey ($78,770) and District of Columbia ($77,850) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an education and childcare administrator a good career?
Employment of education and childcare administrators is projected to shrink 3.1% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 5,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an education and childcare administrator?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for education and childcare administrators as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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