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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Day Care Director in Wisconsin is $140,985 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.
However, a Day Care Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Day Care Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $153,439 | $12,787 | $2,951 | $74 |
| Average | $140,985 | $11,749 | $2,711 | $68 |
| 25th Percentile | $120,854 | $10,071 | $2,324 | $58 |
Little Cub Academy LLC Childcare Center - Mukwonago, WI
Optum - Chilton, WI
Aria of Brookfield - Brookfield, WI
Stevens Point Area YMCA - Stevens Point, WI
A Day Care 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Day Care 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 |
|---|---|
| Home Heal... Level Day Care Director | $70,708 |
| Home Heal... Level Day Care Director | $93,961 |
| Day Care ... Level Day Care Director | $142,383 |
| Home Heal... Level Day Care Director | $193,112 |
| Chief Exe... Level Day Care Director | $254,266 |
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 Day Care Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Day Care Director roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Day Care Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Day Care Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $183,280 | $88.0 | 30% |
Understanding how a Day Care 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $153,439 | $12,787 | $2,951 | $74 |
| Average | $140,985 | $11,749 | $2,711 | $68 |
| 25th Percentile | $120,854 | $10,071 | $2,324 | $58 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Day Care Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Stevens Point Area YMCA
Wautoma, WI
Stevens Point Area YMCA | Wautoma, WI
Job Description. Job Description. Description. Waushara Community YMCA. Position Title. Child Care Director. Reports To. Waushara Community YMCA Branch Exe... more
5 Days Ago
The Learning Experience of Sun Prairie
Sun Prairie, WI
The Learning Experience of Sun Prairie | Sun Prairie, WI
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Bonus based on performance. Competitive salary. Dental insurance. Employee discounts. Free uniforms. Opportunit... more
5 Days Ago
The Learning Experience New Berlin
New Berlin, WI
The Learning Experience New Berlin | New Berlin, WI
Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Bonus based on performance. Competitive salary. Dental insurance. Employee discounts. Flexible schedule. Free u... more
5 Days Ago
Aspirus Health
Wausau, WI
Aspirus Health | Wausau, WI
Kirby Bates Associates has been exclusively retained by Aspirus Health to conduct a search for their next Director, System Care Coordination. Aspirus Healt... more
6 Days Ago
Mile Bluff Medical Center
Mauston, WI
Mile Bluff Medical Center | Mauston, WI
General Information:Job title:Director of Dialysis CareSchedules Available:Full-time, 80 hours per pay period. Monday-Friday, 6:30am - 3:30pmWeekend rotati... more
6 Days Ago
Kettle Moraine YMCA
West Bend, WI
Kettle Moraine YMCA | West Bend, WI
Job Description. Job Description. About This Role. Under the direction of the Senior Director of Early Childhood Education, the Child Care Director is resp... more
6 Days Ago
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