Child Care Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Child Care Management equips professionals with the strategic and operational expertise needed to lead high-quality early childhood programs. This interdisciplinary field integrates developmental science with practical leadership, focusing on creating nurturing, safe, and enriching environments for children from infancy through school age.
- Child Development and Psychology: Explores cognitive, emotional, social, and physical growth patterns across early life stages, providing the foundation for age-appropriate programming and responsive caregiving.
- Home- and Institution-Based Child Care: Examines the distinct structures, standards, and operational models of family child care homes and center-based programs, including regulatory compliance and quality improvement strategies.
- Health and Safety Protocols: Covers the recognition and response to common childhood illnesses, injuries, and psychological distress, with emphasis on proper documentation, reporting, and referral procedures.
- Parent and Community Engagement: Develops skills in building trust, fostering communication, and collaborating with families to support children’s well-being and program continuity.
- Human Resources and Organizational Leadership: Focuses on hiring, training, supervising, and retaining qualified staff, including conflict resolution, performance evaluation, and team development.
- Business and Financial Management: Teaches budgeting, grant writing, fiscal planning, and operational efficiency to ensure sustainable program delivery and long-term viability.
- Legal and Policy Frameworks: Provides insight into federal, state, and local regulations governing child care, including licensing standards, child protection laws, and anti-discrimination policies.
Child Care Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Child Care Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Child Care Management degrees, including Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 447,710 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1192 | $77,280 | $47,580 - $133,180 | 2,630 | N/A |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 25-2011 | $37,120 | $28,300 - $60,070 | 445,080 | $17.85 |
Salary Comparison
Child Care Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $27,630 in Alabama to $89,970 in California—a 226% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 447,710 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Child Care Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Child Care Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Child Care Management is found at Post University (281 graduates), Central Community College (CCC) (126 graduates), Pinellas Technical College, Clearwater (109 graduates), H W Brewster Technical College (91 graduates), and Joliet Junior College (JJC) (88 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,246 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Child Care Management programs
How much can I earn with a Child Care Management degree?
Salaries for Child Care Management graduates vary by role and location. Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $77,280 annually, while Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education earn around $37,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $89,970 compared to $27,630 in Alabama. Approximately 447,710 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Child Care Management programs?
Currently 228 accredited institutions offer Child Care Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Post University (281 graduates), Central Community College (CCC) (126 graduates), and Pinellas Technical College, Clearwater (109 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Child Care Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 4,161 in 2010 to 3,901 in 2023-24. This represents a 6% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Child Care Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education, . Related occupations employ approximately 447,710 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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