Individuals with a master's degree in early childhood education are highly trained in the needs of infants, preschool children, and school-age children up to the age of eight. They are ideal candidates to work as a childcare or preschool administrators, elementary school teacher or post-secondary teachers, or educational consultants and early childhood education lecturer jobs. In most states a license or teacher's certificate is required to teach at some levels.
Masters in Early Childhood Education: Job and Salary Information
Programs in early childhood education prepare graduates to work with infants and children up to around age 8 (third grade). A master's degree in this field can open a wide range of job opportunities in administration, teaching, and caregiving in preschools and elementary schools in private and public settings. Graduates can also pursue careers in post-secondary education, preparing others to work within this field.
| Career Titles | Childcare / Preschool Administrator | Kindergarten and Elementary School Teacher | Postsecondary Teacher |
| Education Requirements | Bachelor's degree preferred | Bachelor's degree | Graduate degree |
| Licensure & Certification | Some states require licensure | Required by public and some private schools | n/a |
| Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 1% for preschool and childcare center directors | 4% for kindergarten and elementary school teachers | 9% for all postsecondary teachers |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $49,160 for education administrators, preschool and childcare center/program | $60,660 for kindergarten and elementary school teachers, except special education | $80,790 for all post-secondary education teachers |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Masters in Early Childhood Education: Job Options
Childcare/Preschool Administrator
A master's degree in early childhood education can qualify you for a job as an administrator of a day care or preschool facility, performing many leadership roles. Childcare and preschool administrators take on managerial roles within the facility. They create and enforce policies, complete necessary reports and maintain budgets.
Human resource duties for childcare agency managers include hiring, training and evaluating staff members. They often serve as curriculum directors, setting educational standards and determining age-appropriate curriculum. Public relations are part of the administrators' responsibilities, as they collaborate with parents and the community.
Salary & Job Growth
Administrator/director salaries differ depending upon type of facility and the assigned duties. For instance, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that preschool teachers earned a mean annual wage of $36,550 in 2020. However, preschool and childcare center directors earned $49,160 as a median annual wage in 2020, and jobs for this category are expected to increase by 1% between 2019 and 2029.
Elementary Teacher
Many early elementary teachers pursue a master's degree in early childhood education. They can thus enhance their skills instructing young students while earning necessary continuing education hours for teacher certification. Teachers use varied instructional strategies to teach age-appropriate lessons in math, reading, writing, science and social studies. Through regular observation and testing techniques, teachers evaluate students' educational and social development, making adaptations as needed so that all students can succeed, regardless of their cultural background or educational capabilities.
Maintaining a classroom environment conducive to learning and establishing an effective classroom management plan are important in early childhood classrooms. Teachers collaborate with colleagues and parents to maximize student achievement.
Salary & Job Growth
The BLS reported that kindergarten and elementary school teachers earned an annual median salary of $60,660 in 2020, and predicts that jobs will increase by 4% over 2019-2029 for these teachers.
Postsecondary Teacher
Research-focused master's degree programs in early childhood education prepare graduates to conduct educational research and to teach education and child development courses at the postsecondary level. Some colleges and universities require their instructors to hold doctorate degrees, but many community colleges and technical education schools employ teachers with a master's degree.
Postsecondary teachers plan and execute lessons, evaluate student performance and advise students in their career paths. Some instructors also work on research projects. It's important for those in postsecondary education to stay current on developments in their field through professional journals and organizations, conferences and collaboration with colleagues.
Salary & Job Growth
According to the BLS, the median annual salary for post-secondary education teachers in 2020 was $80,790, and job growth is expected to increase by 9% for all postsecondary teachers over the 2019-2029 decade.
Childcare and preschool administrators oversee the staff, curriculum and budget of their center. Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct children in subjects such as math, reading and writing at age-appropriate levels, while post-secondary teachers in this field instruct adults in principles and techniques of early childhood education. A teaching license is required for some of these positions. From 2019-2029, post-secondary teachers are expected to see the fastest rate of job growth among these professionals, with the BLS predicting a 9% increase in jobs. Job growth for elementary teachers and childcare and preschool administrators is predicted to be 4% and 1% respectively, which is average compared to all occupations.
