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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Head Start Director in Oregon is $80,992 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Head Start Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Head Start Director Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $91,050 | $7,588 | $1,751 | $44 |
| Average | $80,992 | $6,749 | $1,558 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,095 | $6,091 | $1,406 | $35 |
UMATILLA-MORROW COUNTY HEAD START INC - Hermiston, OR
CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION - Canby, OR
CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION - Oregon City, OR
Family Building Blocks - Salem, OR
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 | $75,442 |
| Intermediate Level Head Start Director | $76,146 |
| Senior Level Head Start Director | $77,320 |
| Specialist Level Head Start Director | $78,493 |
| Expert Level Head Start Director | $80,549 |
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 | $105,290 | $51.0 | 30% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $89,092 | $43.0 | 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 | $91,050 | $7,588 | $1,751 | $44 |
| Average | $80,992 | $6,749 | $1,558 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,095 | $6,091 | $1,406 | $35 |
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.
CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION
Oregon City, OR
CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION | Oregon City, OR
Job Description. Job Description. Description. CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDREN'S COMMISSION HEAD START TEACHER. Supporting the growth of healthy children and fam... more
4 Days Ago
CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION
Clackamas, OR
CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION | Clackamas, OR
Job Description. Job Description. Description. CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDREN'S COMMISSION EARLY HEAD START TEACHER. GENERAL OBJECTIVE. Develop and maintain a s... more
5 Days Ago
Native American Youth And Family Center
Portland, OR
Native American Youth And Family Center | Portland, OR
Job Description. Job Description. Description. NAYA Family Center is looking for compassionate and qualified Early Childhood professionals to join our Fami... more
4 Days Ago
CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION
Wilsonville, OR
CLACKAMAS COUNTY CHILDRENS COMMISSION | Wilsonville, OR
Job Description. Job Description. Description. GENERAL OBJECTIVE. Assist the classroom Teacher in providing Head Start educational services to selected low... more
3 Days Ago
Family Building Blocks
Salem, OR
Family Building Blocks | Salem, OR
Job Description. Job Description. EARLY HEAD START HOME VISITOR Family Building Blocks in Salem, OR is seeking to hire an Early Head Start Home Visitor who... more
4 Days Ago
Confidential
Portland, OR
Confidential | Portland, OR
Director, Head of Sales Operations. About the Company. Innovative healthcare SaaS platform for patient intake & electronic health records. Industry. Hospit... more
5 Days Ago
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