Early Childhood Education Salary

Being involved in early childhood education can be one of the most fulfilling occupations a person can have. As John F. Kennedy said in his famous quote, “”Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength of the nation.” Teaching isn’t just a job, it’s a responsibility. As you search for your calling, the occupation you want to get involved in, your projected salary will be a serious consideration. It’s wonderful to know that you will be influencing young minds during such a vital stage of their lives, but when it comes down to it, the pay you receive at the end of every week is also very important.

Preschool Teacher Salary

As you look into the career of early childhood education, realize that your salary could vary greatly depending on the type of school you wish to teach in. Teaching in a public school usually earns a higher paycheck, while teaching in a private school generally comes with more benefits but a lower income. According to the American Federation of Teachers, beginner teachers that had an earned bachelor’s degree earned an average of $22,680 in the 2005-06 school year. This is nearly $25,000 less than the average income of public school elementary teachers. Keep in mind that the more years you teach, the more you are involved with extracurricular activities, and the extent of your education will all have an effect on the salary you receive. If you want to make more money as a teacher, get involved in the school by coaching, earning a national teaching certificate, or becoming a mentor.

Kindergarten Teacher Salary

The median annual earning of a kindergarten teacher working in a public school during the 2005-06 school year was $31,753. This is $15,000 less than the average income of public school elementary teachers. Early Childhood teachers in private schools generally have a lower salary than that of public school teachers, but they are also given other benefits, such as subsidized housing and free tuition for their children.

As you look into starting a career in early childhood education, take into account all the different variables that apply to this field. If you are looking into teaching in a public school, working in a bigger city is often a better option because they will more than likely pay higher that a small town will. Also you want to look for schools that are in high standing in the state, as they will have a higher bar for teachers and will do their best to give their teachers a reason to stay and teach. If you are looking into teaching in a private school, find out any of the benefits that they offer outside of their given salary and see if any of those will be a benefit to you and your budget.