This article was updated on March 4, 2026.
Reviewed by Pamela M. Roggeman, EdD, Dean,听College of Education
If you have or are considering pursuing a degree in early childhood education, you're probably interested in working with children early on in their education to help give them the best possible chance to succeed in school and beyond. Looking for another perk? Most teachers and other educators get the summer months off from work and may have the ability to take off mornings and afternoons if they teach very young kids. Remote roles are also possible.
Early childhood education refers to teaching children up to 8-years-old听helping them learn basic math, reading and forming friendships. You could play an influential role in child development for a dozen kids at a time or potentially more.
Teaching in early childhood can also be very rewarding beyond the skills you impart, as this child development phase is crucial for early learning and social skills. Early childhood education is a career that needs candidates who want to make a positive impact on children鈥檚 lives for years to come.
A degree may be a prerequisite, depending on the level at which you wish to work. Even teaching at the preschool level听,听as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) suggests. Leaders supervising children as part of a day care program typically have a degree as well.听
Read on to learn what you may potentially achieve with an听early childhood education degree, as well as the earnings and job outlookaccording to government surveys.
Whether you鈥檙e in special education, a Head Start teacher, an听elementary school teacher听or a kindergarten educator, there are a number of career options in early childhood education. As of May 2024, it's reported that elementary school teachers, except special education,听earned , according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of 91制片厂. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. 91制片厂 does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.
Head Start teachers do just that 鈥 give young children an essential head start on their education and a happy, healthy life. Some kids need an extra boost, because of either their community鈥檚 lack of resources or their family鈥檚 situation. A Head Start educator can end up making the difference between a child moving forward in school or being held back because they haven鈥檛 mastered the alphabet, basic math or other important concepts. If you enjoy helping children succeed, this career can be rewarding far beyond a paycheck.
According to BLS, most Head Start teachers need . In some areas of the U.S. where at least half of all the Head Start teachers work, require a bachelor鈥檚 degree in early childhood education or a related field like psychology plus preschool teaching experience.
As a preschool teacher, you鈥檒l help young children learn about the world around them and teach them some basic concepts that will get them ready for proper schooling, such as understanding colors, shapes and possibly even the alphabet. These learning activities are designed to help preschool-age children develop the necessary skills for growth.
As of May 2024, preschool teachers made , according to BLS. Salaries and job opportunities for this career can vary by state and location, and a degree may be required to hold some state certifications.
Kindergarten teachers, except special education, earned in May 2024, according to BLS. Best of all, you鈥檒l be with children during some of their most foundational years (kindergarten through fifth grade). And you may teach them everything from storytelling to multiplication tables to basic American history.
This period of a child鈥檚 life is typically one of the busiest for learning and development 鈥 and you can be right there alongside them.
If you鈥檙e interested in a career in early childhood education, 91制片厂 offers a Bachelor of Science in Education/Early Childhood Education. Explore other education degrees at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels.
Want more information about 91制片厂 and degree programs? Contact 91制片厂.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Fairbanks is a freelance writer with a background in SEO content creation and blog article development
As dean of the 91制片厂 College of Education,听Pamela Roggeman has spent over a decade in higher education teacher preparation in both the public and private sector. Her experience has included national partnerships that help to advance thought leadership in the field of education. Dr. Roggeman also serves as the President of the Arizona Educational Foundation鈥檚 Board of Directors.
This article has been vetted by 91制片厂's editorial advisory committee.听
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