How Much Can You Make in Early Childhood Education?
Posted On August 14,2025
It’s no secret that teachers have an incredibly important job, are always in demand, and they should be fairly compensated for what they do. But most teachers – at every level – enter the profession not because they think they’ll be raking in high salaries quickly, but because they know the importance of having high-quality teachers and feel that teaching is as much of a calling as a logical career choice. Even if you are passionate about a career in education, you still need to know that you’ll be able to earn a good living as an early childhood educator.
Early Childhood Teacher
The most common role for those with a degree in early childhood education is as a teacher, either in a daycare or preschool setting. There are several roles you can take on with an early childhood education degree, including infant or toddler room teacher at a daycare, preschool assistant teacher, preschool co-teacher, and preschool head teacher. Depending on the structure of the school, responsibilities may be shared among a group of early childhood educators. However, for most career academy graduates, the starting salaries are:
- Infant Room Teacher: $35,000 – 40,000
- Preschool Assistant Teacher: $32,000 – 35,000
- Preschool Teacher: $38,000 – 50,000
- Preschool Head Teacher: $40,000 – 55,000
Daycare or Preschool Director
It’s not realistic to think that you can graduate with a degree in ECE and immediately become a daycare or preschool director or owner, but it can happen quicker than you might think. With only a few years of experience, this is a possibility for those who are motivated and enjoy the administrative side of the role and working directly with children.
If you want to own your daycare or preschool, your salary can vary widely depending on the size of the school, the number of teachers you employ, and other operating expenses. However, if you are interested in becoming a daycare or preschool director, you can greatly increase your earning potential to $65,000-75,000.
Roles Outside of the Classroom
Becoming a classroom teacher in a daycare or preschool isn’t your only option with a degree in early childhood education. There are many different options if you want to take another path.
- Early Intervention Specialist: $45,000 – 55,000
This job will have you working one-on-one with children who need support before they enter kindergarten. Many of these students have behavioral, cognitive, or physical delays.
- Child Life Specialist: $50,000-60,000
Child life specialists work in hospital or medical settings, helping your children understand their own medical experience or the medical experience of someone close to them.
- Nanny: $35,000 – 60,000
The pay varies widely, as this is heavily dependent on whether you find your employment privately or through an agency, the specific requirements of your role, and the benefits you receive. Many families who are looking for a full-time nanny are far more likely to hire you and pay more with a degree in early childhood education.
Factors That Can Impact Your Earnings
With all things being equal, a degree from an accredited career academy, looking for that first role in early childhood education with no experience, there are still factors that can impact your salary. The most significant factor is where you are planning to work. Areas with higher costs of living tend to offer higher salaries to their employees. While this disparity in earning potential is more apparent in different parts of the country, you can even notice the difference in smaller regions. For example, a preschool in a small suburb may offer a single hourly rate, while a preschool in a neighboring city where rents and housing costs are higher could offer more. Another factor is what kind of school or facility you are considering working with. A smaller, independent preschool may provide a different salary than a large daycare facility.
However, it’s not only about the dollar. Many daycares and preschools will offer benefits that go beyond the hourly rate. Insurance, tuition reimbursement, and other perks (like the ability to use the facility for your children at a reduced cost) make a big difference in the value of the role. You should also consider how the geographical difference in salary will impact you. If you get a higher salary in one area, but the cost of living is significantly higher, you may struggle to find affordable housing or find yourself facing a long daily commute.
Increase Your Earning Potential
If you want to increase your earning potential as an early childhood educator, there are some ways to advance. First, as you gain experience in working with children, more doors will open for you. You can transition to different roles, moving up the ladder to become a head teacher or director, open your own preschool or daycare facility, or move into an entirely new role that lets you use your education and experience in a new way, like working as a child life specialist. Alongside your experience, another way to increase your earning potential is to further your education. Teaching – at any level – should never be looked at as a static role. There is always new research, new methodology, and new practices that you can learn to make you a better teacher. Teaching is one of many professions where continuing education credits may be required to advance in your role. As you grow in your career in early childhood education, you may opt to go back for more classes to earn additional certifications, like in early literacy or child development, take the extra classes to earn your bachelor’s degree, and even go beyond with further degrees.
A career in early childhood education is rewarding for reasons other than the salary, but realistically, how much you make matters. Although the starting range for an early childhood educator is competitive, knowing that your investment in training and preparing for your career was significantly lower than if you had opted for a traditional four-year university experience should be enough to make you feel great about your choices. Instead of starting a teaching career with mountains of student debt, you’ll know that you are well prepared for a career that can take you places.
Ready to start a rewarding career in early childhood education? Enroll at Athena Career Academy and take the first step toward your future today!