What Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare this way: "Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies and students' behavioral or learning problems"; "Prepare and maintain attendance, activity, planning, accounting, or personnel reports and records for officials and agencies, or direct preparation and maintenance activities"; "Set educational standards and goals and help establish policies, procedures, and programs to carry them out"; "Monitor students' progress and provide students and teachers with assistance in resolving any problems"; "Determine allocations of funds for staff, supplies, materials, and equipment and authorize purchases".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 91,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 89,000 in 2035, a decrease of 2,900 jobs (-3.1%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 5,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 5.7% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 5.8% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,300, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $83,971 in New Jersey to $94,247 in New York, a gap of $10,276 (1.12 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $59,300 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 7,970, which is 57.9% of the 13,770 counted across them. New York follows with 5,800.
Highest-paying states
New York ($94,247) and New Jersey ($83,971) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($83,971) and New York ($94,247) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary and Education Administrators, Postsecondary belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-9000) include Natural Sciences Managers, Architectural and Engineering Managers, Medical and Health Services Managers and Construction Managers.
Frequently asked questions about Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
How much do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,300. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $83,971 to $94,247.
Which state pays Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $94,247. New Jersey is next at $83,971.
Is Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 3.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 5,200 openings a year.
What education do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.