As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Childcare Center Director in the United States is $78,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $38.
However, a Childcare Center Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Childcare Center Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Childcare Center Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Childcare Center Director | $73,033 |
| Intermediate Level Childcare Center Director | $73,714 |
| Senior Level Childcare Center Director | $74,849 |
| Specialist Level Childcare Center Director | $75,983 |
| Expert Level Childcare Center Director | $77,971 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Childcare Center Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 13.99% |
| Sales and Marketing | 3.22% |
| Work Ethic | 1.15% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Patient Care
|
$94,080 |
20%
|
|
Financial Acumen
|
$88,592 |
13%
|
|
Business Acumen
|
$86,240 |
10%
|
|
Builds Networks
|
$84,672 |
8%
|
|
Clinical Leadership
|
$83,888 |
7%
|
|
Business Administration
|
$83,104 |
6%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Childcare Center Directors enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 Childcare Center Director with a Associate's Degree is between $81,048 and $87,354).
Childcare Center Director Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.7% |
| High School | 15.5% |
| Associates | 19.6% |
| Bachelors | 46.6% |
| Masters | 15.5% |
| Doctorate | 2.0% |
Understanding how a Childcare Center Director'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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Childcare Center Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $77,415 in 2023 to around $76,348 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Childcare Center Director salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $77,415 |
| 2024 | $77,136 |
| 2025 | $76,348 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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