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Assistant Child Care Director Salary in California

How much does an Assistant Child Care Director make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Assistant Child Care Director in California is $81,712 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $101,912
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $73,809 to $92,285
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $66,613
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): $74,739
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $75,437
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $76,601
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $77,764
  • Expert (over 8 years): $79,803
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Assistant Child Care Director less than 1 year $74,739
Early Career Level Assistant Child Care Director 1-2 years $75,437
Mid-Level Level Assistant Child Care Director 2-4 years $76,601
Senior-Level Level Assistant Child Care Director 5-8 years $77,764
Expert Level Assistant Child Care Director over 8 years $79,803

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: $82,023.
  • California: $81,712.
  • Massachusetts: $80,623.

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: $81,852
  • West Hollywood: $81,793
  • Dodgertown: $81,852

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 $106,225 $51.0 30%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit $89,883 $43.0 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 September 01, 2026
$73,809
Average $81,712/year
$92,285
$6,151
Average $6,809/month
$7,690
$1,419
Average $1,571/week
$1,775
$35
Average $39/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $92,285 $7,690 $1,775 $44
Average $81,712 $6,809 $1,571 $39
25th Percentile $73,809 $6,151 $1,419 $35

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.

  • 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

    6 Days Ago

  • Children's Choice Learning | El Cajon, CA

    Preschool Director Child Care Center Director

    Children's Choice Learning | El Cajon, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Job Classification. Full-time, at-will, exempt. Salary range. $70,304–$85,000 per annum. commensurate with experience. Be... more

    3 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

    4 Days Ago

  • KYDZ KORNER CHILDCARE INCORPORATED | Rancho Cucamonga, CA

    Child Care Assistant

    KYDZ KORNER CHILDCARE INCORPORATED | Rancho Cucamonga, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Provide a clean, safe, fun and nurturing child care environment. Checks infant and children in and out while providing ba... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Tahoe Truckee Unified School District | Truckee, CA

    Child Care and Development Instructional Assistant

    Tahoe Truckee Unified School District | Truckee, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Link to Job Description. Starting Salary $19.32 Per Hour. Length of Work Year. 2025-2026 School Year. Add'l Salary Info. ... more

    5 Days Ago

  • California Healthcare Consultants | Pleasanton, CA

    Assistant Memory Care Director

    California Healthcare Consultants | Pleasanton, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Make a Real Difference, Every Single Day.   . As a nonprofit leader in aging, Eskaton helps people live well, longer — wi... more

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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.

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