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Lead Child Care Teacher Salary in the United States

How much does a Lead Child Care Teacher make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Child Care Teacher in the United States is $43,706 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Lead Child Care Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $52,114
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,684 to $48,107
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $34,112
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Lead Child Care Teacher Salaries

A Lead Child Care Teacher's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Lead Child Care Teacher Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lead Child Care Teachers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $48,391.
  • California: $48,208.
  • Massachusetts: $47,565.

Top Paying Cities for Lead Child Care Teachers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $55,126
  • San Francisco: $54,523
  • Oakland: $53,374

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Child Care Teacher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 3.87% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 6.98% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
  • Child Abuse (Mentioned in 1.3% Job Postings): Child abuse is not just physical violence directed at a child. It is any form of maltreatment by an adult, which is violent or threatening for the child.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 3.87%
First Aid 6.98%
Child Abuse 1.3%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lead Child Care Teacher's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • IDEA: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Special Education: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $48,951
12%
IDEA $47,640
9%
Special Education $47,202
8%
Get Latest Data

Lead Child Care Teacher Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Child Care Teacher roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Lead Child Care Teacher positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Child Care Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Child Care Teacher

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$65,559$32.050%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$52,447$25.020%

How Education impacts a Lead Child Care Teacher's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead Child Care Teachers enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lead Child Care Teacher with a No Diploma is between $36,746 and $39,056).

Lead Child Care Teacher Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Lead Child Care Teacher
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.0%
High School 27.5%
Associates 24.5%
Bachelors 39.7%
Masters 7.2%
Doctorate 0.2%
View as Graph

Lead Child Care Teacher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Child Care Teacher's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$38,684
Average $43,706/year
$48,107
$3,224
Average $3,642/month
$4,009
$744
Average $841/week
$925
$19
Average $21/hour
$23
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $48,107 $4,009 $925 $23
Average $43,706 $3,642 $841 $21
25th Percentile $38,684 $3,224 $744 $19

Most common benefits for Lead Child Care Teacher

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Lead Child Care Teacher

Here are companies hiring for Lead Child Care Teacher and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Lead Child Care Teacher

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Lead Child Care Teacher?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Lead Child Care Teacher roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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