Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Guiding people or projects, setting direction, taking responsibility, and helping others succeed.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
A bachelor’s degree and experience in early childhood education are typically required to become a preschool and childcare center director. However, educational requirements vary. Additionally, some employers require these directors to have a nationally recognized credential. PayThe median annual wage for preschool and childcare center directors was $59,300 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of preschool and childcare center directors is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 5,200 openings for preschool and childcare center directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for preschool and childcare center directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of preschool and childcare center directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about preschool and childcare center directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for preschool and childcare center directors was $59,300 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of preschool and childcare center directors is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 5,200 openings for preschool and childcare center directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for preschool and childcare center directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of preschool and childcare center directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about preschool and childcare center directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of preschool and childcare center directors is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 5,200 openings for preschool and childcare center directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for preschool and childcare center directors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of preschool and childcare center directors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about preschool and childcare center directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Preschool and childcare center directors supervise and lead their staffs, design program plans, oversee daily activities, and prepare budgets.
Work Environment
Preschool and childcare center directors work primarily in child daycare services. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Preschool or Childcare Center Director
A bachelor’s degree and experience in early childhood education are typically required to become a preschool and childcare center director. However, educational requirements vary. Additionally, some employers require these directors to have a nationally recognized credential.
Pay
The median annual wage for preschool and childcare center directors was $59,300 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of preschool and childcare center directors is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 5,200 openings for preschool and childcare center directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for preschool and childcare center directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of preschool and childcare center directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about preschool and childcare center directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Preschool and childcare center directors work primarily in child daycare services. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Preschool or Childcare Center Director
A bachelor’s degree and experience in early childhood education are typically required to become a preschool and childcare center director. However, educational requirements vary. Additionally, some employers require these directors to have a nationally recognized credential.
Pay
The median annual wage for preschool and childcare center directors was $59,300 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of preschool and childcare center directors is projected to decline 3 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 5,200 openings for preschool and childcare center directors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for preschool and childcare center directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of preschool and childcare center directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about preschool and childcare center directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for preschool and childcare center directors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of preschool and childcare center directors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about preschool and childcare center directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about preschool and childcare center directors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.