Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$44,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $59,300
State Rank
#49 of 50
1,000 employed here

How much do Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare make in Kentucky?

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $44,530 per year, or about $21.41 per hour. That is 25% below the national median of $59,300 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $31,200 while the top 10% make $71,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,290 and $58,030 a year.

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$31,200$15.00
25th percentile (early career)$37,290$17.93
50th percentile (median)$44,530$21.41
75th percentile (experienced)$58,030$27.90
90th percentile (top earners)$71,300$34.28

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 49th out of 50 states and territories for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$96,810
2New Jersey$78,770
3District of Columbia$77,850
4Alaska$75,540
5Washington$70,470

Working as Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($44,530) 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 Kentucky?
The median Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary in Kentucky is $44,530 per year, or about $21.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $31,200 at the entry level to $71,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare about 25% less than the national median of $59,300. Kentucky ranks 49th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,530 a year. About 1,000 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.