California Median
$67,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.26
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $59,300
State Rank
#7 of 50
9,810 employed here
How much do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare make in California?
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare in California take home a median of $67,100 annually — roughly $32.26 an hour — which runs 13% above the national median of $59,300.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $47,590 while the top 10% make $100,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,020 and $80,640 a year.
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,590 | $22.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $54,020 | $25.97 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $67,100 | $32.26 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,640 | $38.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,800 | $48.46 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 50 states and territories for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary in other states
New York $96,810New Jersey $78,770District of Columbia $77,850Alaska $75,540Washington $70,470Massachusetts $70,320Hawaii $65,080Colorado $64,620South Dakota $63,240Vermont $63,220Maryland $62,520Minnesota $62,020Utah $60,980Georgia $60,300Oregon $60,250Nevada $60,120Maine $60,090Wisconsin $59,930Connecticut $59,760Indiana $58,740Illinois $58,550Delaware $58,230North Carolina $57,200Kansas $56,970Michigan $56,870Florida $56,750Pennsylvania $56,380Wyoming $56,170Nebraska $56,160Rhode Island $55,290New Hampshire $55,120Virginia $53,320North Dakota $51,390South Carolina $51,200Texas $50,840Mississippi $49,740Ohio $49,580Tennessee $49,200Idaho $48,530Arizona $48,160Montana $48,140Missouri $47,940Iowa $47,480Oklahoma $46,690Louisiana $46,030West Virginia $45,660Arkansas $44,990Kentucky $44,530Alabama $41,780
Working as Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare in California
Nationally, about 74,000 people work as Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare in the United States. An associate degree (about 2 years of college) is the typical entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($67,100) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare make in California?
The median Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary in California is $67,100 per year, or about $32.26 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,590 at the entry level to $100,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare about 13% more than the national median of $59,300. California ranks 7th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $67,100 a year. About 9,810 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.