How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train for this work?

732 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Management · SOC 11-9031

$59,300US median pay, 2025

-3.1%Projected growth, 2025–35

5,200Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Work in: education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Educational Leadership and Administration, General	CIP 13.0401	696
Educational, Instructional, and Curriculum Supervision	CIP 13.0404	74
Superintendency and Educational System Administration	CIP 13.0411	72
Early Childhood Program Administration	CIP 13.0414	8
International School Administration/Leadership	CIP 13.0412	3

See the 732 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do education and childcare administrators, preschool and daycare make?: The US median is $59,300 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train for this work?: 732 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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