Career comparison
Childcare Center Director vs. Preschool Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Childcare center directors earn more at the median ($59,300 vs. $38,140), while preschool teachers usually get to work faster (6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate) of training). Childcare center directors lead childcare and preschool programs, staff and families. Preschool teachers teach young children through play, routines and early learning.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Childcare Center Director | Preschool Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $59,300 ($28.51/hr) | $38,140 ($18.34/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,580 – $98,240 | $28,990 – $61,390 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -3.1% (a projected decline) | +4.5% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 5,200 | 66,700 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | Bachelor’s plus 2–5 years of experience | 6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate) |
| Key credential | National Administrator Credential (NAC) | Child Development Associate (CDA) |
| Work setting | Directors work in childcare centers, moving between offices and classrooms.. | Preschool teachers work in classrooms and playgrounds that are busy, noisy and active. |
What each job does
Childcare Center Director
- Hire, train and supervise staff
- Oversee curriculum and classroom quality
- Manage budgets, tuition and enrollment
- Maintain licensing compliance
- Communicate with families
Preschool Teacher
- Plan play-based lessons and activities
- Teach early literacy, math and social skills
- Supervise children and keep them safe
- Manage daily routines and transitions
- Observe and assess child development
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, helping others, teamwork, and indoor work. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose childcare center director if…
- I love early education
- I like leading teams
- I can manage budgets
Choose preschool teacher if…
- I love working with young children
- I’m patient and calm
- I enjoy creative activities
Still torn? Take the Childcare Center Director fit quiz and the Preschool Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, childcare center director or preschool teacher?
Childcare Center Directors earn more at the median: $59,300 versus $38,140 for preschool teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Preschool Teachers typically train faster (6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate)) than childcare center directors (Bachelor’s plus 2–5 years of experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects preschool teachers to grow +4.5% from 2025–35, compared with -3.1% for childcare center directors.