Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
SOC: 11-9031 O*NET: 11-9031.00
Median Salary
$56,270
per year
Job Growth
📉 -2.5%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
5.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
What does a Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,060
10th percentile
Early Career
$45,310
25th percentile
Median
$56,270
50th percentile
Experienced
$72,690
75th percentile
Top Earners
$96,400
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,060
25th
$45,310
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$56,270
Mean: $62,640
75th
$72,690
90th
$96,400
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $59,340 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $45,310 and $72,690
- •Salary spread is 48.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 71,620 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:90,200
Top Industries
Social Assistance85.3%
Child Care Services82.5%
Educational Services3.8%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-2.5%
Annual Openings:5,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)90,200
Current
2034 (Projected)87,900
-2.5%
-2,300
Employment Change
-2.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 49 locations
California
8,290 jobs$65,4200.99x
Texas
6,600 jobs$48,5101.03x
New York
3,810 jobs$79,6600.86x
Illinois
3,630 jobs$48,5801.29x
Pennsylvania
3,370 jobs$50,5401.20x
New Jersey
2,820 jobs$66,3601.43x
Ohio
2,750 jobs$47,1401.07x
North Carolina
2,290 jobs$50,2701.00x
Massachusetts
2,230 jobs$68,6601.32x
Washington
1,580 jobs$64,3600.96x
Michigan
1,580 jobs$55,1000.78x
Virginia
1,550 jobs$59,4200.82x
Oregon
1,380 jobs$54,5101.52x
Arizona
1,380 jobs$49,2200.93x
Wisconsin
1,320 jobs$57,7900.97x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Speaking
80%
#5
Coordination
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Social Perceptiveness
60%
#8
Judgment and Decision Making
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Instructing
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Speaking
intermediate4.0
80%
Coordination
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.0
60%
Judgment and Decision Making
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Instructing
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Airfield Operations Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Athletes and Sports Competitors82%
5 shared skills
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film82%
5 shared skills
Police Identification and Records Officers82%
5 shared skills
Security Managers82%
5 shared skills
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
17
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (5)Planning & Development (3)Training & Development (1)Analysis & Evaluation (3)Communication & Coordination (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (2)
1
Confer with parents and staff to discuss educational activities and policies and students' behavioral or learning problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Prepare and maintain attendance, activity, planning, accounting, or personnel reports and records for officials and agencies, or direct preparation and maintenance activities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Set educational standards and goals and help establish policies, procedures, and programs to carry them out.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Monitor students' progress and provide students and teachers with assistance in resolving any problems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development91% perform94%
5
Determine allocations of funds for staff, supplies, materials, and equipment and authorize purchases.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff and recommend personnel actions for programs and services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation85% perform90%
7
Direct and coordinate activities of teachers or administrators at daycare centers, schools, public agencies, or institutions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination82% perform88%
8
Plan, direct, and monitor instructional methods and content of educational, vocational, or student activity programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Review and interpret government codes and develop procedures to meet codes and to ensure facility safety, security, and maintenance.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Determine the scope of educational program offerings and prepare drafts of program schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •41% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals typically have a SEC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
EEnterprising
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.91
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.71
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.69
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.50
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.48
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.44
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.9
Stress Tolerance
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Self-Control
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Independence
4.4
Attention to Detail
4.4
Concern for Others
4.4
Leadership
4.3
Cooperation
4.3
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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