When thinking about Early Childhood education in comparison to the other education fields, it can quickly be determined that the wages are significantly different. The following is statistics about wages from The U.S. Department of Education:
Annual Median Salary of Early Learning and Elementary School Teachers, 2015
| State | Child Care Workers Annual Median Wage | Head Start Teachers | Preschool Teachers | Preschool Special Education Teachers | Kindergarten Teachers | Elementary School Teachers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Median: | $20,320 | $28,995 | $28,570 | $53,990 | $51,640 | $54,890 |
| Alabama | $18,210 | $23,090 | $26,570 | $34,770 | $47,820 | $50,390 |
| Alaska | $24,550 | $29,881 | $36,410 | $70,580 | $66,820 | $71,490 |
| Arizona | $20,070 | $32,027 | $23,560 | $44,750 | $40,230 | $39,300 |
| Arkansas | $18,290 | $27,066 | $28,170 | $31,410 | $45,390 | $44,570 |
| California | $24,150 | $34,156 | $31,720 | $70,670 | $63,940 | $72,910 |
| Colorado | $23,870 | $31,255 | $27,260 | $52,390 | $46,190 | $48,130 |
| Connecticut | $22,410 | $34,176 | $31,620 | $70,190 | $71,050 | $75,930 |
| Delaware | $20,690 | $29,276 | $25,450 | NA | $58,540 | $58,860 |
| District of Columbia | $23,010 | $68,100 | $39,940 | NA | $52,010 | $67,090 |
| Florida | $19,820 | $28,073 | $24,240 | $46,860 | $45,660 | $46,060 |
| Georgia | $19,050 | $27,000 | $28,190 | $48,300 | $53,840 | $53,790 |
| Hawaii | $18,860 | $34,316 | $33,690 | NA | $44,350 | $56,020 |
| Idaho | $18,280 | $22,000 | $21,930 | $38,280 | $44,070 | $44,940 |
| Illinois | $21,830 | $32,691 | $28,670 | $78,530 | $48,710 | $55,320 |
| Indiana | $19,480 | $23,231 | $24,530 | $48,570 | $44,970 | $48,710 |
| Iowa | $18,480 | $29,861 | $24,040 | $58,120 | $50,030 | $51,150 |
| Kansas | $18,900 | $31,680 | $24,570 | $44,680 | $44,880 | $45,110 |
| Kentucky | $18,910 | $26,316 | $37,640 | $46,550 | $52,370 | $51,850 |
| Louisiana | $18,340 | $26,739 | $39,970 | $48,230 | $47,340 | $47,460 |
| Maine | $21,580 | $24,818 | $29,620 | $32,480 | $49,960 | $51,170 |
| Maryland | $22,120 | $34,074 | $27,980 | $64,850 | $55,900 | $61,620 |
| Massachusetts | $24,980 | $28,078 | $31,580 | $55,860 | $67,170 | $71,240 |
| Michigan | $19,620 | $27,613 | $27,740 | $51,320 | $52,460 | $63,530 |
| Minnesota | $22,470 | $28,192 | $32,130 | $56,750 | $53,110 | $57,560 |
| Mississippi | $18,140 | $21,842 | $24,970 | $35,600 | $39,800 | $40,810 |
| Missouri | $18,840 | $23,870 | $25,070 | $47,360 | $45,070 | $48,030 |
| Montana | $19,100 | $19,537 | $25,900 | NA | $44,230 | $48,550 |
| Nebraska | $19,620 | $35,545 | $31,840 | $51,650 | $47,910 | $50,600 |
| Nevada | $21,120 | $28,434 | $24,640 | $51,950 | $48,700 | $53,010 |
| New Hampshire | $21,780 | $21,720 | $27,510 | $48,930 | $51,280 | $55,690 |
| New Jersey | $22,070 | $35,468 | $35,160 | $62,700 | $61,350 | $63,960 |
| New Mexico | $18,920 | $28,588 | $26,670 | $61,420 | $52,870 | $56,750 |
| New York | $25,450 | $39,050 | $31,100 | $57,380 | $60,120 | $68,540 |
| North Carolina | $19,650 | $26,139 | $25,970 | $49,520 | $39,930 | $42,170 |
| North Dakota | $19,200 | $28,673 | $35,410 | NA | $44,360 | $46,180 |
| Ohio | $19,860 | $24,255 | $23,690 | $52,240 | $52,470 | $59,620 |
| Oklahoma | $18,520 | $28,371 | $32,030 | $33,200 | $38,750 | $39,270 |
| Oregon | $22,240 | $27,065 | $27,680 | $67,850 | $56,900 | $57,820 |
| Pennsylvania | $19,590 | $26,908 | $25,970 | NA | $51,050 | $59,780 |
| Puerto Rico | $17,650 | $22,650 | $22,010 | NA | $18,420 | $36,290 |
| Rhode Island | $19,720 | $27,739 | $32,900 | $72,030 | $69,870 | $71,220 |
| South Carolina | $18,370 | $23,080 | $24,620 | $47,650 | $51,150 | $48,660 |
| South Dakota | $19,340 | $24,814 | $28,710 | $39,130 | $38,560 | $40,690 |
| Tennessee | $18,560 | $28,363 | $23,840 | $42,930 | $47,950 | $47,980 |
| Texas | $18,970 | $30,160 | $30,990 | $55,180 | $50,910 | $52,410 |
| Utah | $19,700 | $20,959 | $23,030 | $64,090 | $43,320 | $51,890 |
| Vermont | $23,400 | $26,153 | $29,390 | $52,560 | $53,080 | $53,360 |
| Virginia | $19,510 | $30,481 | $32,490 | $62,290 | $57,100 | $59,190 |
| Washington | $23,520 | $30,241 | $27,810 | $60,170 | $55,020 | $62,110 |
| West Virginia | $18,890 | $31,987 | $30,640 | NA | $47,880 | $45,740 |
| Wisconsin | $20,410 | $29,714 | $23,890 | $38,250 | $48,700 | $54,120 |
| Wyoming | $20,850 | $27,181 | $26,130 | $47,900 | $56,190 | $57,550 |
Source: All data except for Head Start data are from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2015. Head Start data are from Head Start PIR Data (2015) and U.S. Census Bureau ACS 1 Year Estimates.
Why? Why Are Wages so Different?
Why is this? The income levels can be vastly different based on the state due to funding streams. However, what is the explanation for the large gaps in wages from one age group to another. Especially when statistics prove that brain development is at its peak from age birth through five.
Also, it has been proven that Early Childhood experiences lead to a lifelong show of success. The experiences that are provided to children in the first eight years leave a lasting impact for a lifetime. This has proven to higher grades in secondary education, more opportunities to going to college, to find higher level paying jobs, and ultimately contributing more to the community in adulthood.
So Why are Early Childhood Professionals still not Recognized?
It is still unclear why Early Childhood professionals continue to be unrecognized and under-compensated for their work. The statistics are out there. Brain development and the benefits of early childhood experiences have been proven. The information on the importance has gotten out there… yet, the average pay is at the poverty line. Many are not receiving any benefits. Often even their required, yearly professional development comes out of their own pockets.
So What Can Be Done?
This is where the work comes in. As an Early Childhood professional, there are multiple things that can be done. Firstly, educate yourself. If you are unsure about continuing your education, do so. There are multiple scholarships and grants that can provide Early Childhood professionals free educational opportunities. If you have a degree or multiple, then continue to research and learn with the field. Educate yourself to know what people are saying in the field; and know what legislators are looking for. Another thing to do is to advocate. Talk about the field. Tell your friends, families, and anyone else who will listen.
If you are not in the field, but know and understand the importance of Early Childhood education, then you can advocate also. Remember to share what you know.
Here are some simple facts that can be shared:
- Without Early Childhood care many families would not be able to work and survive.
- Without quality care, individuals will miss more days of work. Thus, companies lose wages and profits. Lack of quality child care impacts the economy.
- When employees are not compensated, they often turn to other professions for the need to survive. Not by choice!
- Children suffer without quality care. They then have a higher chance of less success in life.
Ask yourself if the risks are worth not recognizing Early Childhood professionals? Is it worth the children receiving lower quality care or no care? Is it worth risking families being unable to work and provide for themselves? Is it worth the risks to the communities economy? I would hope the answer is NO! So help make the difference.
Early Childhood Professionalism 