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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Tennessee Median
$49,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $59,300
State Rank
#39 of 50
710 employed here

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

Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare working in Tennessee earn a median salary of $49,200 per year, or about $23.65 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $59,300 for this occupation.

Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $39,670 while the top 10% make $79,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,900 and $60,270 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,670$19.07
25th percentile (early career)$45,900$22.07
50th percentile (median)$49,200$23.65
75th percentile (experienced)$60,270$28.98
90th percentile (top earners)$79,290$38.12

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee ranks 39th 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 Tennessee

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 Tennessee pay ($49,200) 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 Tennessee?
The median Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare salary in Tennessee is $49,200 per year, or about $23.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,670 at the entry level to $79,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare about 17% less than the national median of $59,300. Tennessee ranks 39th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,200 a year. About 710 Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.