Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Head Start Director in Iowa is $76,327 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Head Start Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
Recruit with AI
Head Start Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $85,805 | $7,150 | $1,650 | $41 |
| Average | $76,327 | $6,361 | $1,468 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,885 | $5,740 | $1,325 | $33 |
Iowa Community Action Association - West Central Community Action - Denison, IA
Preferred Electric - BLOOMINGDALE, IL
UAB Medicine - BIRMINGHAM, AL
Paladin Inc - PINES, IN
A Head Start 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 Head Start 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 Head Start Director | $71,096 |
| Intermediate Level Head Start Director | $71,760 |
| Senior Level Head Start Director | $72,865 |
| Specialist Level Head Start Director | $73,971 |
| Expert Level Head Start Director | $75,909 |
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 Head Start 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 Head Start Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (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 30% above the average. In contrast, Head Start Director positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Head Start Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $99,225 | $48.0 | 30% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $83,959 | $40.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Head Start 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 | $85,805 | $7,150 | $1,650 | $41 |
| Average | $76,327 | $6,361 | $1,468 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,885 | $5,740 | $1,325 | $33 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Head Start Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
CASS, WV
National Radio Astronomy Observatory | CASS, WV
National Radio Astronomy Observatory Title: Head of Software Engineering Location: 5651 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy, Albuquerque, NM 87113, USA• NRAO Headquarters,... more
3 Days Ago
Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg
HARRISBURG, PA
Christian School Association of Greater Harrisburg | HARRISBURG, PA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary. We are seeking an experienced and passionate Head Coach for our Varsity Boys' Volleyball program. The ideal ... more
3 Days Ago
Paladin Inc
PINES, IN
Paladin Inc | PINES, IN
POSITION SUMMARY: Nurture curiosity through purposeful experiences to create a future full of lifelong learners. Help to meet the diverse needs of our fami... more
7 Days Ago
Trane Technologies
CHARLESTON, SC
Trane Technologies | CHARLESTON, SC
Be a part of our mission. As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient climate solutions for buildings, homes and transportation, ... more
3 Days Ago
Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort,Disney Vacation Club
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC
Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort,Disney Vacation Club | HILTON HEAD ISLAND, SC
At Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, our part-time Housekeeping Hosts/Hostesses do so much more than keep guests’ rooms impeccably clean. They draw upon ... more
5 Days Ago
Marriott
KANSAS CITY, MO
Marriott | KANSAS CITY, MO
Marriott International invites experienced culinary professionals to apply for the role of Head Garde Manger. As part of our esteemed culinary team, you wi... more
3 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
