Passionate professionals interested in working with young children can advance their careers by enrolling in the online Master of Science (M.S.) in Early Childhood Services program from Arkansas State University (A-State). This program prepares graduates to excel in administrative leadership positions across public and nonpubllic educational settings, maximizing the positive impact they have on the children they serve.
However, prospective students must consider the job outlook in their chosen career. There is an odd disparity between the expectations placed on early childhood learning and the willingness to invest financially in the outcome. With a master’s degree and an in-demand leadership role, professionals can expect higher levels of compensation than many early childhood services workers make. Professionals in such positions can also work to improve pay and support for their staff. Yet, pay in the field is still a concern that warrants both consideration and action.
The State of Childcare Worker Salaries
Unfortunately, pay for early childhood educators is surprisingly low, and wages are not increasing quickly. According to Center for the Study of Childcare Employment (CSCCE) analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data, childcare workers made a median hourly wage of $11.81 in 2022, while preschool teachers earned $13.74 per hour. Administrators fared somewhat better, with a median hourly wage of $20.38.
Yet, this still places median pay for the combined early childhood education workforce at barely over $13 per hour — lower than the living wage in all U.S. states, according to the World Population Review. Further, CSCCE reports that wage growth in early childhood education is lower than the national average, slower even than other low-wage occupations in areas like fast food or retail sales.
This level of pay results in high turnover and instability in early childhood education, childcare and related services, a problem further exacerbated by challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaders and administrators who manage early childhood services as well as daycare and preschool facilities must be aware of this difficult situation.
These leaders must understand daily challenges faced by their staff members, both in and outside of work, while keeping budgets balanced and sustainable. They have the responsibility to be fiscally aware of the facility’s finances and limitations, while maintaining the role of advocate for all members of the education teams.
Contributing Factors in Low Pay for Early Childhood Educators
Many teachers in the childcare profession believe they are not receiving equitable pay when compared with their elementary and high school counterparts, and statistics show it to be true. This is despite the requirement that early childhood educators be well-trained, even to the point of earning a degree.
The case can be made, however, that preschool teachers do not have the same responsibilities or oversight as K-12 teachers. In the first place, although committed preschool teachers do keep careful records of student progress and communicate successes and concerns with families, they are not required by law to log and report specific essential skills and understandings, as are public school teachers. Preschool teachers do not prepare complicated report cards or attend data meetings on the same scale required of public-school teachers.
Additionally, the rising costs of early childhood education make it challenging to afford for many parents and guardians. Administrators must factor this in when setting budgets and employee salaries. To help parents afford education, administrators may need to sacrifice teacher or childcare worker pay. Hiring less staff is also common, yet this leads to poor student-teacher ratios, which can have many negative effects for children and educators alike.
Student-teacher Ratios in Early Childhood Education
The number of teachers and childcare workers required to meet suggested student-teacher ratios for young children differ substantially from student-teacher ratios required in public schools for older children. According to Childcare.Gov, the child-to-staff ratio in childcare centers should be no more than three to one for infants, four to one for toddlers, seven to one for preschoolers three years of age, and eight to one for preschoolers four to five years of age. Conversely, the average student-to-teacher ratio in U.S. K-12 public schools is roughly 15 to one, though this ratio varies according to state and district regulations.
However, many states do not meet recommendations for young children. For instance, Georgia, Idaho and New Mexico only averaged one staff member for every eight children in the one- to two-year old age group. The lack of adequate student-teacher ratios in early childhood education relates to numerous factors, such as low budgets for childcare and education centers as well as high staff turnover, as noted above. Given the impact preschool teachers have on the future of their students, these factors reinforce the need for quality teacher retention and appropriate compensation while also highlighting the financial challenges faced by administrators seeking to pay their staff a livable wage.
The Mismatch Between Pay and Increasing Requirements for Preschool Teachers and Caregivers
Licensed daycare facilities must adhere to strict requirements set forth by each state. In many states, the educational, experience and continuing education requirements for administrators and teachers are increasing with each revision of related regulations.
In Arkansas, for example, lead teachers in the state’s Better Chance programs must hold an Arkansas Educator license in an area of Early Childhood Pre-K or hold a bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education or a related field, including state-required coursework. Assistants must also meet specific education and training requirements.
Increasing training and education requirements benefits student learning outcomes and teacher preparation and development. Yet, in Arkansas, the average yearly pay for a preschool teacher is $29,753, according to October 2025 salary data from ZipRecruiter. Comparatively, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that kindergarten and elementary school teachers made a median annual salary of $62,310 nationwide in 2024. Given that educational requirements for both areas of work are fairly similar, it is understandable that this staggering difference in pay could make many potential preschool teachers apprehensive about pursuing an early childhood education career.
The Challenges of Early Childhood Teacher Retention
Beyond being costly to early education centers, high teacher turnover rates negatively impact children’s development and learning outcomes. Students thrive when they see and interact with former teachers on a regular basis, especially children who receive special education services or those who experience inconsistent family relationships. Poor teacher retention results in instability for children, with adult figures coming in and out of their lives, and deprives children of the benefits of forming long-lasting, healthy relationships with teachers.
Students are not the only ones who form strong personal bonds. Teachers at all levels are passionate about their jobs and care deeply for those who depend on them. Yet even the most devoted early childhood educators may seek more lucrative careers after experiencing the challenge of working for such low pay.
Quality Teachers, Quality Leaders, Quality Futures
In part, the quality of care and education children receive in the earliest years of development determines their success in the future. Research shows that early childhood education can have an outsized impact on the development of foundational skills for reading, math, self-control and positive relationships. The benefits of early childhood education increase with the quality of responsive teaching and developmentally appropriate, well-designed curricula — benefits that can last well beyond a child’s youngest years.
Clearly, teachers in early childhood education programs make a critical difference in the lives of the children in their care. So, why are early childhood caretakers and educators compensated so poorly, almost guaranteeing a workforce marked by high turnover and instability?
As a graduate student preparing to lead as an administrator in a preschool, educators will face compensation issues on both sides of the table. An online M.S. in Early Childhood Services degree provides training in not only the educational aspects of preschool services but also the administrative responsibilities leaders face regarding fiscal management. After completing this program, early childhood services and education administrators will be well prepared to address the concerns of all stakeholders, including the issue of teacher and staff compensation.
Learn more about A-State’s online Master of Science in Early Childhood Services program.