Compensation can be measured in many ways. For instance, we can examine what the average salary is for early chilhood educators throughout the nation or by region or state. An early chilhood education salary can also be evaluated based on the type of institution (public or private) you may be working at and by the kind of academic achievement (e.g.associate, bachelors, masters, etc) you have gained. It can also be evaluated based on the level of experience the person has acquired thoroughout their teaching career. Salary is not the only form of compensation. There could be a bonus program available or additional compensation can be offered based on other responsibilities the educator may choose to assume. Often times, a teacher in the early childhood edcuation field may possess a special certification for their field (e.g. special education needs, bilingual skills). Also, one must not discount the role the total benefit package plays in fully evaluating the monetary value of the job offer. Just as with the base salary, the worth of the benefits package will vary according to a number of factors.
The Intrinsic Worth – Early Childhood Education Salary!
Placing a value on what worth the job in this field returns to you is not easily measured. There is probably few occupations that can provide to you such a fufilling sense of worth and value as you guide these small little human beings down the various educational paths of learning. This is probably why so many selfless people are attracted to this field. Salary and benefits, while they are certainly an important factor, often plays second fiddle to many in the education field because of the tremendous amount of gratitude and pleasure these individuals derive from teaching, influencing, and lovingly guiding these early aged children. It is one of the most amazing things to see, yet difficult for others to fully comprehend, unless they have been in those situations where something magical clicks in the mind of the child as a result of the teacher. Sometimes these scattered moments of joy and realization that you, the teacher, made a mark that may not be fully realized until much later in the child’s life and then later witnessed first hand by the teacher when least expected.
Early Childhood Education Salary – Don’t Get Lost in Averages!
The difficult thing about citing salaries for any profession is that it is easy to get lost in the averages. As we all know, an average of any sum can overstate or understate what you may discover in your own job serach depending on the factors described above. For example, the average cited below for an early childhood educator is inclusive of many types of teachers within this particular field. For your edification, we list out some of the other averages for more specifically described occupations. If you are looking at embarking on a career in this field, then you need to have an idea what the pay structure looks like. Here are some examples. Bear in mind these figures are all averages.
- Early Childhood Education Salary: $29,350
- Child Care Teacher: $15,450
- Pre – School Educator : $28,000
- Elementary Teacher: $36,000
- Kindergarten Educator: $40,000
- Traditional Teacher: $36,000
As we discussed above, you are much better served to explore the salary ranges that are applicable for your location and the type of specific area you plan to pursue. My advice is to schedule a couple of meetings with teachers in your respective field and discuss with them all aspects of their job, including salary and benefits. I like to characterize this tactic as an information interivew. It is a practical and effective way to test the waters and become more acquainted with the field before you embark on your educational journey in obtaining the necessary degree. Also feel free to check out our website for more information about early childhood education salary, jobs, and universities, including the ever popular online universities now available in large numbers to students.