Any student who is contemplating majoring in early childhood education should first consider what the job outlook is for the top-paying positions in the field. Education as a whole is a rewarding field that many want to enter simply because of their passion for helping others reach their potential, however, there are specialized areas within the field that have a better job outlook than others. If your mission is to work in Early Child Education as either a preschool teacher or a center director, knowing how professional setting and geographic location affect job outlook is crucial.
Related resource: 20 Best Online Schools for Early Childhood Education
Most Popular Career Paths in Early Childhood Education
Early childhood degrees in education can open up several opportunities for future teachers who want to work in either educational settings or social service offices. Often used a stepping stone to other education degrees, there is a variety of accredited Associate of Arts degree programs that fulfill state licensing requirements for early childhood educators. After earning an A.A. degree, early childhood educators can worker as:
- Preschool Teachers
- Childcare Center Directors or Administrators
- Home-based Childcare Providers
- Family and Social Support Services
- Child Care Consulting
- Elementary School Teachers
- Sales
- Curriculum Specialist
Overall Job Outlook for Early Childhood Educators
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, also known as BLS, is the Federal governing agency responsible for publishing data on the labor force, salary, job outlook, and more for the public to access. According to the most recent data published by BLS, the overall job outlook for early childhood educators is projected to grow faster than average with projected growth of 7 percent by 2028. Based on this projected growth, this would mean that approximately 36,900 new jobs within the field of preschool education will be created over a span of 10 years.
Factors Affecting Job Outlook in the Field
Various factors affect both income and how likely a qualified graduate or experienced professional is to find a position. Most commonly, it is geographic location and how in demand positions are within the area, that has an impact on outlook, job opportunities, and starting salary. After considering geographic location, another factor that will impact outlook is based on the professional setting that the educator plans on working in. States with the highest reported demand published in the Occupational Employment Statistics include:
- California
- Texas
- New York
- Florida
- Illinois
Cities with the highest reported employment level in early education include:
- New York, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Los Angeles, CA
- Boston, MA
- Dallas, TX
- San Francisco, CA
- Atlanta, GA
Professional settings with the highest reported employment demand include:
- Childcare centers
- Elementary Schools
- Family Service Centers
- Religious Organizations
- Local government
There are a variety of paths that a graduate with their A.A. Degree in Early Education can travel down. It is important for students entering school to be realistic about the path they take. Take the time to determine where the job outlook in Early childhood education is the highest and pursue jobs in those areas and industries for the most rewarding career.
