Strategies to Maximize Job Opportunities for Early Childhood Education Majors

Written By Norma Rey-Alicea

Strategies to Maximize Job Opportunities for Early Childhood Education Majors

Post updated on 4/2/2024

While there are plenty of job opportunities in the early childhood field, the vast majority pay far less than other teaching positions. The median salary of childcare workers and preschool teachers, who work primarily in private daycare and preschool programs, is less than half the median earnings of public-school kindergarten and elementary school teachers in Massachusetts. But there are far fewer openings for these better-paying public school positions. There are an estimated 1,125 job openings a year for kindergarten and grade 1-2 teachers compared to 4,200 openings for childcare workers and preschool teachers. (See table below.)

Job Opportunities for Early Childhood Education Majors in Massachusetts

How to Improve Your Chances of Landing a Better-Paying Job

Here are some strategies that students can pursue to improve their chances of landing a better-paying job in the early childhood field.

  • Enroll in an Early Childhood Education program that leads to a PreK-Grade 2 initial license: To teach in the public schools, you will need a PreK-Grade 2 state license. Some colleges (e.g., UMass Boston) offer two Early Childhood education tracks — one that qualifies you to work in daycare, preschool, and afterschool programs and a second track that includes the courses and teaching practicums required to earn a Massachusetts license to teach in PreK through Grade 2 public classrooms. Make sure you enroll in the option that qualifies you for the state licensure exams.

  • Pursue an Advanced Degree/Licensure in Special Education or Reading: Public school systems offer preschool programs for young children ages 3-5 with diagnosed special needs that pay salaries on par with other teaching positions in the district. These public preschool programs typically require candidates to have a special education license. Similarly, most school districts in the state prefer candidates for teaching positions in kindergarten and early elementary grades with advanced training and licensure in special education or reading. Earning an additional license in special education or as a reading specialist will boost a student’s chances of securing a good first job in a public school district. Most colleges with Early Childhood Education programs offer students the option of staying an additional year to complete a master’s degree or post-baccalaureate certification in special education or reading.

  • Consider Earning an Elementary Education Degree: A degree in Elementary Education will qualify you to teach grades K-6 in public schools, expanding the pool of well-paying jobs to pursue. You can still focus on the early grades through coursework and student teaching assignments.

  • Explore Alternative Careers Working with Young Children: School districts employ Speech-Language Pathologists to work with young children on a range of language acquisition and communication issues. The median salary for Speech-Language Pathologists working in Massachusetts was $95,700 in 2022. Three public universities — Bridgewater State, Worcester State, and UMass Amherst — offer graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology as well as undergraduate Pre-Speech Pathology programs. Pre-Speech Pathology majors who perform well in classroom and clinical experiences have a good chance of gaining admission to the master’s program at their college or elsewhere. Northeastern University, Emerson College, and Boston University also offer Speech Pathology programs. Click here for more information on Speech Pathology program options.

Notes on Data Sources

Norma Rey-Alicea
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