Does your ideal degree pay what you expect?
After graduation, early childhood education graduates typically earn high salaries compared to the national average. Top earners make $52,256, while the bottom 20% make closer to $31,613. The median grad salary is $40,644.
Early Childhood Education graduate salaries over time
The typical early career salary for someone with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education is $31,970, and within five years of graduation, this average salary goes up to $39,818.
This chart maps the average workforce wage by years of experience:
Wage ($USD)
Years of work experience
Highest paying jobs for early childhood education graduates
The highest paying careers for early childhood education graduates are kindergarten teacher, elementary school teacher, childcare program administrator and nanny, with top salaries averaging around $49,742.
Highest Paying Careers
Avg Pay (USD)
As per most recent US census
Pro tip
Still unsure if a degree in early childhood education is your calling? Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a career