📚 Education & Social Services ↑ 15% growth · Much faster than average

Early Childhood Educator / Preschool Teacher

ECE teachers and directors shape the development of children from birth through age 8. Directors and lead teachers with CDA credentials are in high demand, especially as the US government pushes for universal pre-K programs.

$38,270 Median Salary
524K US Jobs
6 months–2 years Training
$2,000–$12,000 Typical Cost

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$28,000
Median
$38,270
Experienced
$57,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

15%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Much faster than average
524K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
CDA
Required Credential
CDA (Child Development Associate) — industry standard entry

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
CDA, ECE Certificate, or AAS
Program Length
6 months–2 years
Typical Tuition
$2,000–$12,000
Work Setting
Childcare centers, Head Start, pre-K programs, private preschools
🏆 Credential Required: CDA (Child Development Associate) — industry standard entry

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a Early Childhood Educator / Preschool Teacher involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Childcare centers environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🏫 Schools and programs related to Early Childhood Educator / Preschool Teacher

USA Career Finder combines federal education datasets, state-approved training lists, workforce training provider lists, and licensing-board sources where available. Always confirm program availability, cost, admissions requirements, and licensing eligibility directly with the school.

Federal dataset match
Community College

Fullerton College

📍 Fullerton, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Evergreen Valley College

📍 San Jose, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Mt San Jacinto Community College District

📍 San Jacinto, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Saddleback College

📍 Mission Viejo, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

East Los Angeles College

📍 Monterey Park, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Golden West College

📍 Huntington Beach, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Southwestern College

📍 Chula Vista, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Los Angeles Valley College

📍 Valley Glen, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Moorpark College

📍 Moorpark, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Woodland Community College

📍 Woodland, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Pima Community College

📍 Tucson, AZ
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Central New Mexico Community College

📍 Albuquerque, NM
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Cuesta College

📍 San Luis Obispo, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Oxnard College

📍 Oxnard, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Leeward Community College

📍 Pearl City, HI
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

City College of San Francisco

📍 San Francisco, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

West Valley College

📍 Saratoga, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Clovis Community College

📍 Fresno, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Colby Community College

📍 Colby, KS
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

College of the Desert

📍 Palm Desert, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Los Angeles Trade Technical College

📍 Los Angeles, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

San Jose City College

📍 San Jose, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Oakland Community College

📍 Auburn Hills, MI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Canada College

📍 Redwood City, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Butte College

📍 Oroville, CA
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Chabot College

📍 Hayward, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Los Angeles City College

📍 Los Angeles, CA
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Normandale Community College

📍 Bloomington, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Community College of Rhode Island

📍 Warwick, RI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Fresno City College

📍 Fresno, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Coalinga College

📍 Coalinga, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Sacramento City College

📍 Sacramento, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

White Mountains Community College

📍 Berlin, NH
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Northampton County Area Community College

📍 Bethlehem, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College

📍 Chicago, IL
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

📍 Coon Rapids, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Lehigh Carbon Community College

📍 Schnecksville, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Chippewa Valley Technical College

📍 Eau Claire, WI
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Las Positas College

📍 Livermore, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Pasadena City College

📍 Pasadena, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Santa Barbara City College

📍 Santa Barbara, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Crowder College

📍 Neosho, MO
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Santiago Canyon College

📍 Orange, CA
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Diablo Valley College

📍 Pleasant Hill, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Palo Verde College

📍 Blythe, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Santa Fe Community College

📍 Santa Fe, NM
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

American River College

📍 Sacramento, CA
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Citrus College

📍 Glendora, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Coastline Community College

📍 Fountain Valley, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Long Beach City College

📍 Long Beach, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Palomar College

📍 San Marcos, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

College of the Sequoias

📍 Visalia, CA
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

San Bernardino Valley College

📍 San Bernardino, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Minnesota North College

📍 Hibbing, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Itawamba Community College

📍 Fulton, MS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Manchester Community College

📍 Manchester, NH
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Allan Hancock College

📍 Santa Maria, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Imperial Valley College

📍 Imperial, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Riverside City College

📍 Riverside, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Taft College

📍 Taft, CA
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Yuba College

📍 Marysville, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Connecticut State Community College

📍 Hartford, CT
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

St Cloud Technical and Community College

📍 Saint Cloud, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Century College

📍 White Bear Lake, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

NHTI-Concord's Community College

📍 Concord, NH
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Norco College

📍 Norco, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr

🗺️ Early Childhood Educator / Preschool Teacher by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

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