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Daycare teachers play an integral part in the formative years of millions of children across the United States. However, the average daycare teacher salary can vary widely based on location and level of experience. Whether you're an aspiring daycare teacher or simply interested in learning more about this rewarding profession, we've got you covered.
In this article, we'll discuss the average daycare teacher salary range, as well as the typical job responsibilities and exciting opportunities to advance your career.
Table of contents:
- Average daycare teacher salary in the United States
- Average daycare teacher salary by state
- Top paying industries for daycare teachers
- Top paying cities for daycare teachers
- Daycare teacher job description
- When should you negotiate for a higher salary?
- Daycare teacher career potential
- Frequently asked questions about daycare teacher salary
Average daycare teacher salary in the United States
For daycare teachers in the United States, the average annual salary is approximately $43,000 with a salary range between $33,000 and $51,000 per year according to data from Salary.com.
| Percentile | Average annual salary |
| 10% percentile | $33,458 |
| 25% percentile | $38,101 |
| 50% (median) percentile | $43,201 |
| 75% percentile | $47,401 |
| 90% percentile | $51,225 |
Source: Salary.com, August 1, 2025
While data from Indeed (as of August 17, 2025) shows the average annual base salary of around $36,000 per year in the United States, Salary.com data (as of August 2025) shows that the national average is closer to $43,000 with the lower 10% making just above $33,000 and the top 10% making over $51,000.
Daycare teachers around the country will find that this range fluctuates based on many factors. Factors influencing salary range include geographic location, years of experience, certifications, and education.
Average daycare teacher salary with degree
The level of education influences the salary of a daycare teacher in the United States.
According to data from Salary.com, there is a difference in salary between a non-diploma daycare teacher and one with a PhD. In most cases, daycare teachers with an advanced degree such as JD, MD, or PhD, make more money than their counterparts with no degree.
- No diploma: $36,600-$38,902
- High school diploma or technical certificate: $37,000-$39,400
- Associate’s degree: $37,500-$39,800
- Bachelor’s degree: $38,00-40,500
- Master’s degree or MBA: $38,400-$40,800
- JD, MD, PhD or equivalent: $38,800-$41,500
While there seems to be a difference in salary based on level of education, Glassdoor salaries for daycare teachers demonstrate that range is mostly determined based on years of experience. They list the average salary range for a teacher with 0-1 years of experience as approximately $30,000-$43,000 while the average salary range for 7-9 years is approximately $32,000-$49,000 (with data updated as of April 10, 2025).
Websites like Salary.com and Glassdoor consider national averages; however, it is important to remember that the average changes from state to state.
Average daycare teacher salary by state
When comparing the average salary for a daycare teacher in the United States on Indeed, it is clear that daycare teachers can earn more depending on where they are located. States like California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Washington often have average salaries 10% or greater compared to the national average.
States with salaries lower than the national average include Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia.
| State | Average base salary | State | Average base salary |
| Alabama | $26,466 | Montana | $35,794 |
| Alaska | $43,026 | Nebraska | $38,113 |
| Arizona | $39,911 | Nevada | $35,465 |
| Arkansas | $30,567 | New Hampshire | $41,044 |
| California | $52,295 | New Jersey | $41,099 |
| Colorado | $42,711 | New Mexico | $39,000 |
| Connecticut | $42,641 | New York | $43,460 |
| District of Columbia | $63,247 | North Carolina | $33,817 |
| Delaware | $40,619 | North Dakota | $34,138 |
| Florida | $41,400 | Ohio | $33,716 |
| Georgia | $31,386 | Oklahoma | $31,000 |
| Hawaii | $40,661 | Oregon | $44,019 |
| Idaho | $30,408 | Pennsylvania | $35,246 |
| Illinois | $42,370 | Rhode Island | $41,145 |
| Indiana | $32,723 | South Carolina | $35,412 |
| Iowa | $29,570 | South Dakota | $42,835 |
| Kansas | $33,052 | Tennessee | $31,433 |
| Kentucky | $29,367 | Texas | $29,048 |
| Louisiana | $25,206 | Utah | $32,592 |
| Maine | $39,015 | Vermont | $44,997 |
| Maryland | $41,461 | Virginia | $37,299 |
| Massachusetts | $44,604 | Washington | $48,145 |
| Michigan | $36,687 | West Virginia | $27,823 |
| Minnesota | $45,288 | Wisconsin | $35,776 |
| Mississippi | $24,495 | Wyoming | $28,175 |
| Missouri | $36,590 |
Source: Indeed, August, 2025
Top-paying industries for daycare teachers
According to Glassdoor data, the top four paying industries for daycare teachers in the United States are government and public administration, management and consulting, education, and nonprofit and NGO.
| Top paying industries | Median total pay |
| Government and public administration | $38,123 |
| Education | $33,375 |
| Management and consulting | $32,536 |
| Nonprofit and NGO | $31,361 |
Source: Glassdoor, August, 2025
Top paying cities for daycare teachers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (data as of May 2024), the top paying metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas in the United States for preschool and daycare teachers include Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area and Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area.
| Top paying metropolitan/nonmetropolitan areas for daycare teachers | Annual median wage |
| Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $61,180 |
| Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $60,480 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $59,110 |
| Vineland, NJ | $58,830 |
| South Nebraksa nonmetropolitan area | $58,520 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
Daycare teacher job description
Early childhood educators play a vital role in shaping the lives of young children during their formative years. They are instrumental in helping children build their foundational physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills that will carry them throughout their lives.
Roles and responsibilities
The job description of a daycare teacher breaks down into a few different roles and responsibilities. These include:
- Creating lesson plans and preparing materials for activities
- Evaluating children’s performance and ensuring progress through regular assessments
- Overseeing the safety of children inside the classroom
- Communicating with families
- Identifying learning and behavioral concerns and determining a course of action
Experience and qualifications
While the exact experience and education qualifications vary by location and program, prior experience working with young children is essential for daycare teachers.
Additionally, qualifications often include a degree in early childhood education and knowledge of child development and current teaching methods. Daycare teachers also need strong communication, time management, and organizational skills.
Typical job benefits
As listed on Indeed, the most common benefits for daycare teachers include:
- 401(k) and 401(k) matching
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Childcare
- Flexible schedule
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid training
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
While it is more difficult to negotiate for job benefits because many of them are predetermined company-wide, it is possible to negotiate for a higher salary.
When should you negotiate for a higher salary?
When applying for a job, always negotiate for a higher salary. If you are approaching the job with a degree, years of experience, and outstanding history of references, you’re in an ideal position to negotiate.
Most budgets have some wiggle room built-in, so many employers can pay more than what is written in the job description. Whether they are willing to pay more is based on their evaluation of you as a candidate.
For those still building your experience, the advice stands—always negotiate. You never know when the opportunity to ask for a raise will come, and the worst you can hear is “no.”
Keep the entire package—salary and benefits—in mind as you negotiate.
Daycare teacher career potential
The most recent reporting from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the job outlook for childcare workers at a 1% decline for 2023-2033. Despite this decline in employment, there are about 162,500 job openings for childcare workers projected each year, on average, over the next decade.
While many of these new roles are for daycare teachers, they also include the promoted positions available for this role. Promotions in this field come with higher responsibility and authority; for example, educators or childcare workers can become trainers, supervisors, or directors.
The future for most industries includes advanced technology and automation. While tech cannot replace the customized lesson plans and personal interaction children get from their teachers, it has eliminated many tedious tasks associated with daycare administration. Now, more than ever, teachers are able to take advantage of tools like brightwheel and allot more time for teaching and interacting with children.
Frequently asked questions about daycare teacher salary
What is the average daycare teacher salary in 2025?
As of 2025, the average daycare teacher salary in the United States is about $43,000 per year, or roughly $20-21 per hour. Most teachers earn between $40,000 and $50,000 annually, depending on location, experience, and employer.
Which states pay daycare teachers the most?
Daycare teacher salaries vary widely by state. In 2025, the highest-paying areas include:
- California: around $47,500/year
- District of Columbia: about $51,000/year
- New York and Massachusetts: averages near $46,000–$48,000/year
By contrast, southern states such as Alabama or Mississippi tend to fall below the national average, closer to $35,000–$37,000/year.
How much difference does education make?
Education does have an impact, though it’s smaller than many expect. In 2025:
- Teachers without a diploma earn about $38,000/year.
- With a bachelor’s degree: closer to $40,000–$42,000/year.
- Advanced degrees (master’s or higher) can push salaries toward $45,000/year.
While additional education can open up career advancement opportunities, salary increases are often modest unless combined with experience or leadership roles.
Is it possible to negotiate daycare teacher salary?
Yes—while not every employer offers flexibility, negotiation is possible. Candidates can improve their chances by:
- Highlighting certifications (CDA, CPR/First Aid, early childhood credentials).
- Emphasizing experience with specialized age groups or curriculum.
- Considering geographic mobility, since some states and cities pay substantially more.
Even small raises—$1–$2/hour—can add up significantly over time.
A rewarding career
Daycare teachers are tasked with the very important role of educating and looking after young children. While data shows that salaries can vary widely based on things like location, level of experience, and each specific childcare program, there are still many opportunities to achieve a higher salary.
Fortunately, the ability to make more as a daycare teacher increases in the future with career opportunities for growth and promotion. It is possible to find a salary as a daycare teacher that is as rewarding as the career path itself.
