Child Care Staff Trends Show Increase in Demand Across the U.S. – 2026 Study

The number of child care administrators for preschool and daycares grew 11.75% between 2023 and 2024, with 7,530 individuals joining the ranks of 71,620 total child care administrators nationwide. At the same time, the annual median income for this cohort grew by 3.65% to $56,270. The combination of high growth in employment and an increase in wages suggests that the demand for child care and respective administration is increasing. But in select states, this trend was reversed – and in all states, the typical child care administrator earns less than the median U.S. household income. Meanwhile, the top echelon of workers in this field earn well over $100,000 on average. 

With this in mind, Playground evaluated the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data to determine statewide trends in the employment and income rates for child care administrators for preschool-aged facilities.

Key Findings

• Nebraska child care administrators see the biggest jump in income. Between 2023 and 2024, the annual median income for child care administrators in Nebraska increased 32.79% from $46,380 to $61,590. This represents nearly all of the child care administrators’ gains over the past five years, given volatile year-to-year changes in the Cornhusker State since 2019. Other states that saw the largest increase in pay for child care administrators include Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Wisconsin.

• Oregon, Utah add the most child care administrators to the workforce. Over just one year, the number of child care administrators grew by 86.49% in Oregon, going from 740 to 1,380 individuals, paired with a median pay increase of 10.68%. Over five years, the growth in Utah was highest nationwide, going from 140 child care administrators to 550 – a 292.86% increase, in tandem with a 65.46% increase in pay over the same time. 

• In New York, top child care administrators earn over $160k. The top 10% of earners in child care administration in New York earn a minimum of $162,960. In general, New York has the highest pay for all child care and daycare administrators with a median annual income of $79,660 and median hourly wage of $38.30. Administrators in Massachusetts, New Mexico, New Jersey, and California are also among the highest paid.

• Child care administrator income declined in 19 states. The median annual income for child care administrators dropped by 18.88% in Louisiana, the biggest year-over-year decline nationwide. Other states where the median income dropped include New Hampshire (-16.96%); Missouri (-13.07%); Alabama (-11.24%); Georgia (-9.62%); New Jersey (-7.50%); Connecticut (-5.93%); and Pennsylvania (-4.93%).

• The demand for child care administrators is lowest in these states. Six states saw a decline in the number of child care administrators employed year over year, including Vermont, South Carolina, Hawaii, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Iowa, New York. Of these, only Vermont, Massachusetts and Iowa saw a compensatory increase in the median wage of the child care administrators remaining. For the other states, declining income paired with declining employment may indicate a lack of demand.

Child Care Administrators Pay and Employment by State

States are ranked based on the one-year change in the annual median income for child care administrators for preschools and daycares between 2023 and 2024.n

1. Nebraska

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 32.79%

• Annual median income, 2024: $61,590

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $29.61

• One-year change in employment total: 19.05%

• Employment total, 2024: 500

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $98,090

2. Nevada

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 27.33%

• Annual median income, 2024: $60,200

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $28.94

• One-year change in employment total: NA

• Employment total, 2024: NA

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $99,070

3. Utah

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 22.75%

• Annual median income, 2024: $59,400

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $28.56

• One-year change in employment total: 7.84%

• Employment total, 2024: 550

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $102,360

4. New Mexico

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 20.93%

• Annual median income, 2024: $67,780

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $32.59

• One-year change in employment total: 19.35%

• Employment total, 2024: 370

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $106,640

5. Wisconsin

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 16.04%

• Annual median income, 2024: $57,790

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $27.79

• One-year change in employment total: 11.86%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,320

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $71,190

6. Vermont

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 14.44%

• Annual median income, 2024: $58,260

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $28.01

• One-year change in employment total: -21.88%

• Employment total, 2024: 250

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $85,870

7. Delaware

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 14.22%

• Annual median income, 2024: $63,950

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $30.75

• One-year change in employment total: 8.33%

• Employment total, 2024: 390

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $103,630

8. Michigan

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 13.58%

• Annual median income, 2024: $55,100

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $26.49

• One-year change in employment total: 0.64%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,580

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $83,620

9. Massachusetts

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 12.39%

• Annual median income, 2024: $68,660

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $33.01

• One-year change in employment total: -6.30%

• Employment total, 2024: 2,230

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $101,030

10. Oregon

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 10.68%

• Annual median income, 2024: $54,510

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $26.21

• One-year change in employment total: 86.49%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,380

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $81,800

11. Montana

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 10.29%

• Annual median income, 2024: $52,300

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $25.14

• One-year change in employment total: 0.00%

• Employment total, 2024: 180

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $85,360

12. Washington

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 8.31%

• Annual median income, 2024: $64,360

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $30.94

• One-year change in employment total: 17.04%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,580

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $105,280

13. California

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 7.92%

• Annual median income, 2024: $65,420

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $31.45

• One-year change in employment total: 1.84%

• Employment total, 2024: 8,290

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $120,760

14. Kansas

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 6.14%

• Annual median income, 2024: $51,670

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $24.84

• One-year change in employment total: 9.09%

• Employment total, 2024: 480

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $77,520

15. Florida

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 6.00%

• Annual median income, 2024: $49,990

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $24.03

• One-year change in employment total: NA

• Employment total, 2024: NA

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $85,850

16. West Virginia

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 5.94%

• Annual median income, 2024: $44,240

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $21.27

• One-year change in employment total: 22.58%

• Employment total, 2024: 380

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $66,030

17. Iowa

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 5.89%

• Annual median income, 2024: $46,550

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $22.38

• One-year change in employment total: -4.63%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,030

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $74,840

18. Indiana

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 4.30%

• Annual median income, 2024: $50,250

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $24.16

• One-year change in employment total: 16.90%

• Employment total, 2024: 830

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $88,120

19. Ohio

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 4.13%

• Annual median income, 2024: $47,140

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $22.66

• One-year change in employment total: 19.57%

• Employment total, 2024: 2,750

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $79,050

20. Maine

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 2.10%

• Annual median income, 2024: $50,620

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $24.34

• One-year change in employment total: 4.35%

• Employment total, 2024: 240

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $73,100

21. North Carolina

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 1.91%

• Annual median income, 2024: $50,270

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $24.17

• One-year change in employment total: 8.53%

• Employment total, 2024: 2,290

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $88,430

22. Kentucky

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 1.65%

• Annual median income, 2024: $38,860

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $18.68

• One-year change in employment total: 26.47%

• Employment total, 2024: 860

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $66,870

23. Texas

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 1.44%

• Annual median income, 2024: $48,510

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $23.32

• One-year change in employment total: 2.01%

• Employment total, 2024: 6,600

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $76,840

24. Colorado

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 1.19%

• Annual median income, 2024: $61,150

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $29.40

• One-year change in employment total: 23.23%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,220

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $97,330

25. Arizona

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 1.13%

• Annual median income, 2024: $49,220

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $23.66

• One-year change in employment total: 14.05%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,380

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $69,490

26. Virginia

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 0.87%

• Annual median income, 2024: $59,420

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $28.57

• One-year change in employment total: 23.02%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,550

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $81,300

27. New York

• One-year income change for child care administrators: 0.54%

• Annual median income, 2024: $79,660

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $38.30

• One-year change in employment total: -0.26%

• Employment total, 2024: 3,810

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $162,960

28. Minnesota

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -0.03%

• Annual median income, 2024: $59,850

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $28.77

• One-year change in employment total: -7.44%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,120

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $91,050

29. South Carolina

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -0.96%

• Annual median income, 2024: $46,650

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $22.43

• One-year change in employment total: -11.48%

• Employment total, 2024: 540

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $80,510

30. Illinois

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -1.36%

• Annual median income, 2024: $48,580

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $23.36

• One-year change in employment total: 30.58%

• Employment total, 2024: 3,630

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $74,910

31. Arkansas

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -2.37%

• Annual median income, 2024: $42,430

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $20.40

• One-year change in employment total: 24.18%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,130

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $70,600

32. Hawaii

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -2.96%

• Annual median income, 2024: $63,220

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $30.39

• One-year change in employment total: -10.00%

• Employment total, 2024: 270

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $75,960

33. South Dakota

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -4.43%

• Annual median income, 2024: $55,270

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $26.57

• One-year change in employment total: 20.00%

• Employment total, 2024: 120

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $77,670

34. Oklahoma

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -4.44%

• Annual median income, 2024: $44,110

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $21.21

• One-year change in employment total: 10.94%

• Employment total, 2024: 710

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $79,500

35. Pennsylvania

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -4.93%

• Annual median income, 2024: $50,540

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $24.30

• One-year change in employment total: 0.30%

• Employment total, 2024: 3,370

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $78,930

36. Mississippi

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -5.84%

• Annual median income, 2024: $40,630

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $19.54

• One-year change in employment total: 15.09%

• Employment total, 2024: 610

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $73,950

37. Connecticut

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -5.93%

• Annual median income, 2024: $60,300

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $28.99

• One-year change in employment total: 17.02%

• Employment total, 2024: 1,100

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $104,070

38. Rhode Island

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -6.84%

• Annual median income, 2024: $50,130

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $24.10

• One-year change in employment total: -5.00%

• Employment total, 2024: 380

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $56,070

39. New Jersey

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -7.50%

• Annual median income, 2024: $66,360

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $31.91

• One-year change in employment total: 36.23%

• Employment total, 2024: 2,820

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $140,920

40. Tennessee

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -7.88%

• Annual median income, 2024: $45,620

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $21.93

• One-year change in employment total: 41.03%

• Employment total, 2024: 550

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $77,690

41. Wyoming

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -8.43%

• Annual median income, 2024: $47,230

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $22.71

• One-year change in employment total: 7.69%

• Employment total, 2024: 140

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $77,790

42. Georgia

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -9.62%

• Annual median income, 2024: $44,510

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $21.40

• One-year change in employment total: 13.95%

• Employment total, 2024: 980

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $76,400

43. Alabama

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -11.24%

• Annual median income, 2024: $41,150

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $19.78

• One-year change in employment total: 41.82%

• Employment total, 2024: 780

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $61,470

44. Missouri

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -13.07%

• Annual median income, 2024: $39,370

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $18.93

• One-year change in employment total: NA

• Employment total, 2024: NA

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $70,410

45. New Hampshire

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -16.96%

• Annual median income, 2024: $50,000

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $24.04

• One-year change in employment total: 31.43%

• Employment total, 2024: 460

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $89,980

46. Louisiana

• One-year income change for child care administrators: -18.88%

• Annual median income, 2024: $40,220

• Median hourly pay, 2024: $19.34

• One-year change in employment total: 18.18%

• Employment total, 2024: 520

• Threshold for highest-paid 10% of child care administrators: $68,550

Data and Methodology

Data for 46 states was evaluated and ranked based on the one-year change in the annual median wage for education and child care administrators for daycares and preschools. Data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Tables for May 2024, May 2023, and May 2019. Full data was not available to rank Alaska, Idaho, Maryland, and North Dakota.

Questions about this study? Email us at press@tryplayground.com