Early Childhood Education Jobs in Florida

Florida has long understood that a state’s K-12 educational system is only as good as its early childhood education system, which is why it was one of the first in the nation to offer free pre-k to all four-year-olds, regardless of income.

Florida’s commitment to the state’s youngest learners—the Voluntary Pre-K Education Program (VPK) —includes offering parents the choice of different educational settings and programs, including private childcare, public schools, and specialized instruction providers. VPK is undoubtedly a success – about 80% of all four-year-olds in Florida attend VPK.

VPK is just one example of the outstanding opportunities available to early childhood educators in Florida and why pursuing a career in ECE here can lead to exciting opportunities for you.

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Florida Salary Rankings

#26

in the US for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare

#27

in the US for Special Education Teachers, Preschool

#26

in the US for Childcare Workers

#47

in the US for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

#39

in the US for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

#20

in the US for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

Early Childhood Jobs in Florida

In Florida’s largest metropolitan regions, jobs within the sphere of early childhood education pay salaries that beat out the national average.

Occupation	Total Employed	Median Annual Salary	% of US Median
Childcare Workers	30,070	$23,590	97%
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	25,940	$27,990	81%
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	10,680	$50,400	86%
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	5,020	$60,720	96%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	9,010	$42,640	86%
Special Education Teachers, Preschool	1,230	$50,120	81%
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare	1,700	$48,370	90%
= Salary below nat’l. avg. = Salary above nat’l. avg.

At the same time, Florida is also home to some of the highest numbers of teachers and administrators in the nation, perhaps not surprising considering the number of school districts throughout the state. Florida ranks fourth nationally in terms of the number of childcare workers, preschool teachers, and special education teachers working in ECE settings.

Childcare Workers – There are 30,070 childcare workers employed in Florida earning an average of $23,590, which is on par with the national average. Jobs among Florida’s childcare workers are expected to increase by 15.6 % through 2026 – that’s more than double the projected national growth rate of 7% for this profession.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers – Florida’s 9,010 child, family, and school social workers earn an annual average salary of $42,640. Jobs for these professionals are projected to increase by 22.9% through 2026, which is much higher than the projected national growth rate of 16%.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education – There are 10,680 kindergarten teachers working in Florida, earning $50,400 on average each year. Employment among Florida’s kindergarten teachers is expected to increase by 13.6% through 2026, or nearly double the projected national growth rate of 7% for this occupation.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education – The Sunshine State’s 25,940 preschool teachers earn an annual average salary of $27,990. Jobs among Florida’s preschool teachers should rise by 13.9% through 2026 – much higher than the national growth rate of 7% for these early childhood educators.

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City-Level Job Stats

While statewide average salaries for Florida’s early childhood educators and related professions fall below the national average, some metropolitan areas of the state reveal salaries that far exceed the state average, and that even beat out the national average. For example, Jacksonville’s special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary schools settings earn $65,530 on average, or about $7,000 more than the national average. Similarly, kindergarten teachers in the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota and Cape Coral-Fort-Myers metropolitan areas earn salaries that exceed the national average. As expected from a state this size, employment levels for early child educators in Florida are some of the highest in the country.

Preschool Teachers

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL – 8,570 teachers earning an average of $30,540
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL – 3,980 teachers earning an average of $25,870
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL – 3,500 teachers earning an average of $25,930
Jacksonville, FL – 1,910 teachers earning an average of $29,330
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL – 390 teachers earning an average of $29,400
Port St. Lucie, FL – 290 teachers earning an average of $29,480
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL – 830 teachers earning an average of $25,330
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL – 670 teachers earning an average of $27,910
Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL – 460 teachers earning an average of $26,280
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL – 750 teachers earning an average of $28,340
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL – 560 teachers earning an average of $27,900
Tallahassee, FL – 400 teachers earning an average of $31,700
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL – 400 teachers earning an average of $22,070
Naples-Marco Island, FL – 370 teachers earning an average of $28,290
Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach, FL – average salary of $23,060
Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL – 140 teachers earning an average of $29,050
Punta Gorda, FL – 130 teachers earning an average of $24,700

Kindergarten Teachers

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL – 2,700 teachers earning an average of $48,990
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL – 1,870 teachers earning an average of $53,160
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL – 1,730 teachers earning an average of $43,840
Jacksonville, FL – 770 teachers earning an average of $59,820
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL – 300 teachers earning an average of $51,000
Port St. Lucie, FL – 540 teachers earning an average of $51,900
Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL – 320 teachers earning an average of $38,480
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL – average salary of $58,750
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL – 370 teachers earning an average of $62,030
Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL – 430 teachers earning an average of $48,630
Tallahassee, FL – average salary of $39,920
Panama City-Lynn Haven-Panama City Beach, FL – 120 teachers earning an average of $42,270

Special Education Teachers – Preschool

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL – average salary of $49,870
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL – 140 teachers earning an average of $44,240
Jacksonville, FL – 100 teachers earning an average of $55,070

Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL – 710 teachers earning an average of $58,520
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL – 1,140 teachers earning an average of $52,300
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL – 410 teachers earning an average of $54,610
Jacksonville, FL – 760 teachers earning an average of $65,530
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL – average salary of $54,630
Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL – 320 teachers earning an average of $67,150

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