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Early Head Start Director Salary in the United States
How much does an Early Head Start Director make in the United States?
$62,456 (USD)/year
Average Bonus
$2,180 (USD)
per Year
Total Compensation
$63,895.71
Entry Level
$45,747
Median
$61,716
Senior Level
$75,574
As of July, 23, 2026, the average early head start director gross salary in United States is $62,456 or an equivalent hourly rate of $30. In addition, early head start directors earn an average bonus of $2,180. An entry level early head start director with 1-3 years of experience earns an average salary of $45,747. At the higher end of the pay range, an senior level early head start director with 8+ years of experience earns an average salary of $75,574. Salary estimates are based on salary survey data collected directly from employers in United States.
Data powered by ERI
Salary Potential for an Early Head Start Director
Explore the estimated salary growth for an Early Head Start Director in the United States for up to 5 years. The estimated salary of an Early Head Start Director will be $64,199 in 1 year and $71,670 in 5 years.
View Salary by Year
Estimated Salary
$65,990
Average Growth
5.7 %
The estimated salary for an Early Head Start Director in 2 years is $65,990, which is 5.7 % average growth. This information is based on ERI's compensation database.
Typical Early Head Start Director Education
This chart displays the highest level of education for Early Head Start Directors.
- 0% of Early Head Start Directors have less than a High School Diploma
- 0% of Early Head Start Directors have a High School Diploma
- 0% of Early Head Start Directors have an Associate's Degree
- 0% of Early Head Start Directors have a Bachelor's Degree
- 100% of Early Head Start Directors have a Master's Degree
- 0% of Early Head Start Directors have a Doctorate Degree
Popular Skills for an Early Head Start Director
Skills data not available for this job
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does an Early Head Start Director do?
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care. Excludes “Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education” (25-2011) and “Childcare Workers” (39-9011).
How much does an Early Head Start Director make in the United States?
The average salary for an Early Head Start Director is $62,456 per year or $30.03 per hour in the United States. Top earners have reported making up to $75,574. However, the typical pay range in the United States is between $45,747 and $75,574 annually.
What is the salary trajectory for an Early Head Start Director?
Early Head Start Director is projected to see a 14.7 % salary change in 5 years.
How can you increase your salary?
Increasing your salary often starts with understanding your value in today’s job market. You can increase your earning potential by building your skills, advancing your education, moving into a new role or industry, switching companies, or negotiating pay.
How can you negotiate a salary offer?
Negotiating a salary offer involves preparation and finding our your market value. Use our salary calculator to find out how much you should be paid based on what someone in your area, with similar experience, earns. Use this personalized report to help negotiate a higher salary offer or find your dream career.
What are some factors that impact Early Head Start Director salaries?
Several factors can impact your salary, including experience, company size, job market, location, industry, and more. Understanding how these factors affect your role can help you spot pay gaps and provide opportunities for a competitive salary.
About Our Data
This page is an excerpt of the much more complete compensation information available in ERI's Assessor Series.
ERI compiles the most robust and accurate salary, cost-of-living, and executive compensation survey database available. Data are analyzed using AI and traditional statistics, depending on which approach is best for a particular application. ERI collects salary survey data from five different sources, which you can learn about here.
Verified Sources
Data sourced from internal salary surveys, purchased surveys, public sources, HRIS data, and proprietary databases.
Real-Time Data
Our salary database is updated and verified approximately every six weeks.
Quality Assurance
Along with our data scientists, we have included AI in our rigorous process to analyze and provide the highest quality data.
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