Salary AI Book a Demo

Assistant Child Care Director Salary in California

How much does an Assistant Child Care Director make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Child Care Director in California is $84,370 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

However, an Assistant Child Care Director's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $105,221
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $76,210 to $95,284
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $68,781
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Assistant Child Care Director Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Assistant Child Care Director Salaries

An Assistant Child Care Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Assistant Child Care Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Assistant Child Care Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $77,171
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $77,892
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $79,093
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $80,294
  • Expert (over 8 years): $82,399
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Assistant Child Care Director less than 1 year $77,171
Early Career Level Assistant Child Care Director 1-2 years $77,892
Mid-Level Level Assistant Child Care Director 2-4 years $79,093
Senior-Level Level Assistant Child Care Director 5-8 years $80,294
Expert Level Assistant Child Care Director over 8 years $82,399

How Do Assistant Child Care Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Assistant Child Care Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $84,691.
  • California: $84,370.
  • Massachusetts: $83,245.

Top Paying Cities for Assistant Child Care Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $84,515
  • West Hollywood: $84,454
  • Dodgertown: $84,514

Assistant Child Care Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Assistant Child Care Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Assistant Child Care Director positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Assistant Child Care Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Assistant Child Care Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare $109,681 $53.0 30%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $92,807 $45.0 10%

Assistant Child Care Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Assistant Child Care Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$76,210
Average $84,370/year
$95,284
$6,351
Average $7,031/month
$7,940
$1,466
Average $1,622/week
$1,832
$37
Average $41/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $95,284 $7,940 $1,832 $46
Average $84,370 $7,031 $1,622 $41
25th Percentile $76,210 $6,351 $1,466 $37

Find Your Next Assistant Child Care Director Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Assistant Child Care Director job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • JINGYING INTERNATIONAL Preschool | Sunnyvale, CA

    Director of Child Care

    JINGYING INTERNATIONAL Preschool | Sunnyvale, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. 401(k). Bonus based on performance. Competitive salary. Dental insurance. Employee discounts. Free food & snack... more

    8 Days Ago

  • Busy Bees North America | Pleasant Hill, CA

    Child Care Center Director

    Busy Bees North America | Pleasant Hill, CA

    Center: Pleasant Hill North, CABuild Your Career in Early Childhood Education - Lead a New Center. Join Busy Bees and shape the future of early childhood e... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Community Action Partnership of Madera County | Madera, CA

    Child Care Assistant

    Community Action Partnership of Madera County | Madera, CA

    Job Title:Childcare Assistant Types:Part- time, Monday - Friday Department:Head Start - Strengthening Family Program How to Apply: 1. Visit.www.maderacap.o... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Forma Gym | Walnut Creek, CA

    Child Care Assistant

    Forma Gym | Walnut Creek, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Free Childcare. Employee discounts. Flexible schedule. We are looking for a team member to join our Kidzville t... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Coast Guard Community Services Command | Alameda, CA

    Child Care Assistant

    Coast Guard Community Services Command | Alameda, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. OMB NO: 1625-0120. Expiration Date: 05/31/2029. Announcement: 6921. Opening Date: 22 September 2026 more

    5 Days Ago

  • The Salvation Army Southern CA Division | Tustin, CA

    Child Care Assistant

    The Salvation Army Southern CA Division | Tustin, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Mission Statement. The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian churc... more

    5 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst