CDA Salary 2026: How Much Do CDA Holders Earn?
CDA holders earned a median of $34,740/yr in 2026 (BLS). Learn pay by role, state, and experience — and how the CDA boosts your earnings in 2026.
CDA Salary Overview 2026
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, administered by the Council for Professional Recognition, is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education. CDA holders work as preschool teachers, childcare workers, family childcare providers, and early intervention specialists — roles tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) under occupational codes 25-2011 and 39-9011.
According to BLS data, the median hourly wage for childcare workers was $16.70/hour ($34,740 annually) in May 2025. Preschool teachers — a step above childcare worker — earned a median of $40,060 annually. CDA certification is typically what separates entry-level workers from higher-paying preschool teacher positions.
CDA Salary by Job Title
CDA holders qualify for several distinct roles, each with a different pay range. The table below reflects 2025 BLS medians and average job postings data.
| Job Title | Median Annual Pay | CDA Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $34,740 | Preferred / Often Required |
| Preschool Teacher | $40,060 | Required (or AS/BA ECE) |
| Head Start Teacher | $42,500 | Required by federal mandate |
| Family Childcare Provider | $28,000–$45,000 | CDA boosts licensing eligibility |
| Early Intervention Specialist | $44,000–$58,000 | CDA + additional training |
| ECE Center Director | $48,000–$75,000 | CDA + experience + BA preferred |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, Indeed salary data Q1 2026. Head Start salary based on NHSA compensation survey.
CDA Salary by State
Geography is one of the biggest salary drivers for CDA holders. States with universal pre-K programs, higher minimum wages, or strong childcare subsidy systems pay significantly more. The top 5 highest-paying states for childcare workers (BLS 2025) are:
| State | Mean Annual Wage | Notable Context |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $48,940 | High cost of living, universal pre-K expansion |
| New York | $47,580 | NYC subsidized childcare boosts wages |
| Washington | $46,310 | Strong state childcare workforce grants |
| Connecticut | $45,900 | High ECE licensing requirements |
| Minnesota | $43,760 | Child Care Assistance Program well-funded |
The lowest-paying states for childcare workers include Mississippi ($24,560), Louisiana ($26,110), and West Virginia ($26,340) — though these states often offer lower cost of living as well.
CDA Salary by Experience Level
Experience has a compounding effect on CDA earnings. Workers who pair years of experience with additional credentials — an cda classes after earning the CDA, for example — can more than double early-career wages within 10 years.
Experience-Based Salary Milestones
How the CDA Credential Boosts Your Pay
Earning the what is a cda from the Council for Professional Recognition directly translates to higher pay through several mechanisms:
1. Minimum Pay Floors in Head Start
Federal Head Start regulations mandate that lead teachers hold at minimum a CDA credential. Head Start programs are among the best-paying publicly funded childcare positions, with average salaries $7,000–$10,000 above private center workers. Without a CDA, you cannot hold a lead teacher role in most Head Start programs.
2. State Tiered Quality Rating Systems (QRIS)
Most states use a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) that rates childcare programs on a star scale (typically 1–5 stars). Higher-rated programs attract higher subsidy reimbursements from state agencies — and those programs pay staff more. The CDA is often the minimum credential required to move from Level 1 to Level 2 or 3, triggering higher reimbursements and wage bumps for your entire team.
3. T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Wage Supplements
The Child Care TEACH Early Childhood Project, available in 26+ states, provides wage supplements (typically $1.00–$1.50/hour raises) to childcare workers who earn their CDA or complete additional college coursework. In North Carolina, for example, TEACH recipients holding a CDA averaged a $1.30/hour wage increase in 2025.
4. Private Center Pay Differentials
Large childcare chains (KinderCare, Bright Horizons, La Petite Academy) and national nonprofits advertise differential pay of $1–$3/hour for CDA-certified teachers above non-certified staff. For a 40-hour week, that is $2,080–$6,240/year in extra pay.
CDA Certification: Financial Pros and Cons
- +Opens Head Start lead teacher positions ($7K–$10K above average childcare wages)
- +Qualifies for TEACH scholarship wage supplements in 26+ states
- +Enables QRIS-rated center roles with higher state subsidy pay
- +Private center pay differentials of $1–$3/hr for CDA holders
- +Foundation credential for AS/BA ECE pathways leading to $55K+ director roles
- +Low upfront cost ($425 application fee) relative to lifetime pay increase
- −Median childcare wage ($34,740) remains low compared to other credential-bearing professions
- −Salary gains vary widely by state — rural areas see smaller increases
- −CDA alone insufficient for highest-paying ECE roles (BA or higher required)
- −Renewal every 3 years adds $150 fee and 45 CE hours
- −Nonprofit and public sector positions may have wage freezes despite credential
Career Advancement Paths for CDA Holders
The CDA is designed as a career lattice entry point, not a ceiling. The most common advancement paths in 2026 are:
- CDA to Associate's Degree in ECE — Many community colleges award 12–18 credit hours for CDA holders, shortening the AS degree timeline. AS opens preschool teacher positions (median $40,060) and leadership tracks.
- CDA to Bachelor's in Child Development or Education — Required for public Pre-K and most director positions. A BA in ECE/Child Development pushes median pay to $52,000–$68,000.
- CDA to Infant-Toddler (IT) or Family Childcare (FCC) CDA specialization — Additional CDA settings increase your scope and may qualify you for higher-rated QRIS programs.
- CDA to Early Intervention Specialist — Pairing the CDA with early intervention training (Part C IDEA) opens specialist roles ($44,000–$58,000) with school districts and developmental agencies.
- CDA to Center Director Pathway — Requires CDA + experience + BA in many states. Center directors at NAEYC-accredited programs average $58,000–$72,000 nationally.
Practicing exam content is a strong indicator of career commitment. Take our cda practice test or cda practice exam practice quizzes to prepare for the credential exam.
CDA Salary Key Facts
What is the BLS median salary for a CDA-holding childcare worker in 2025?
$34,740 per year ($16.70/hour), per BLS OEWS May 2025 data.
What is the median salary for a preschool teacher with a CDA?
$40,060 annually, per BLS SOC 25-2011. CDA is the minimum credential for this classification.
Which state pays CDA holders the most?
Massachusetts, with a mean annual wage of $48,940 for childcare workers (BLS 2025).
How much more do CDA holders earn than non-certified childcare workers?
Typically $3,000–$6,000/year more, plus access to Head Start lead teacher roles that pay $7,000–$10,000 above non-certified positions.
What credential after CDA leads to the biggest pay jump?
An Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in ECE. A BA opens director and public Pre-K positions averaging $52,000–$68,000.
What is the TEACH scholarship and how does it affect CDA pay?
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Project offers wage supplements (avg $1.30/hr) to CDA holders in 26+ states, adding ~$2,700/year.
CDA Salary Questions and Answers
About the Author
Registered Sanitarian & Food Safety Certification Expert
Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life SciencesThomas Wright is a Registered Sanitarian and HACCP-certified food safety professional with a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Cornell University. He has 17 years of experience in food safety auditing, regulatory compliance, and foodservice management training. Thomas prepares food industry professionals for ServSafe Manager, HACCP certification, and state food handler examinations.