General
Early Childhood Education
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Early Childhood Education.
Entry Level Salary
$40,000
Median Salary
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
17.0%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,120,000
Entry (Early)
$40,000
Median (Prime)
$53,000
High (Prime)
$54,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-95k
+21k
+30k
$25k / yr
-185k
-69k
-60k
$50k / yr
-275k
-159k
-150k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
46
43
$25k / yr
Never
Never
Never
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-170%
-64%
-56%
$50k / yr
-126%
-73%
-69%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate37.2%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Elementary and middle school teachers
30.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$52,063|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Preschool and kindergarten teachers
18.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$38,500
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$43,100|$40,090
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
Education and childcare administrators
4.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,403
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$58,994|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Special education teachers
3.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$48,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$56,275|$64,270
openings
37,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.4%
Teaching assistants
2.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$28,114
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$23,598|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%
Childcare workers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$24,311
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$27,575|$32,050
openings
160,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2.9%
Secondary school teachers
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$41,650
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,903|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Other teachers and instructors
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$22,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$36,016|$44,220
openings
171,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.4%
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$31,514|$46,290
openings
202,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Management occupations
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$34,674
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$60,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| No program variants found for this major. | |||