SalaryByCity

Childcare Workers vs Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Childcare Workers

$32,050

Median annual salary

520,180 employed nationally

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

$56,270

Median annual salary

71,620 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals earn $24,220 more per year than Childcare Workers professionals — that's 75.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Childcare Workers earns $44,560 compared to $96,400 for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare.

Salary Range Comparison

Childcare Workers$22,900 – $44,560
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$37,060 – $96,400
$22,900$96,400

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileChildcare WorkersEducation and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and DaycareDifference
10th Percentile$22,900$37,060$-14,160
25th Percentile$28,000$45,310$-17,310
Median (50th)$32,050$56,270$-24,220
75th Percentile$36,960$72,690$-35,730
90th Percentile$44,560$96,400$-51,840
Mean (Average)$33,140$62,640$-29,500

Employment Numbers

Childcare Workers

520,180

employed nationwide

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

71,620

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Childcare Workers

CityMedian
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$44,970
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$43,640
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$40,180
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$39,290
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$38,720

Best Cities for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare

CityMedian
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$79,000
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$77,390
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$64,180
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$62,530
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$61,880

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Childcare Workers or Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $24,220 (75.6% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Childcare Workers?
Childcare Workers salaries range from $22,900 (10th percentile) to $44,560 (90th percentile), with a median of $32,050.
What is the salary range for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salaries range from $37,060 (10th percentile) to $96,400 (90th percentile), with a median of $56,270.
How many Childcare Workers and Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare jobs are there?
There are approximately 520,180 Childcare Workers positions and 71,620 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare to Childcare Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Childcare Workers has a median salary of $32,050 while Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earns $56,270. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS