Early Childhood Education Jobs in Kansas

Kansas is on the verge of something special in early childhood learning, and for the state’s aspiring and practicing early childhood educators, these upcoming changes are sure to translate into exciting professional opportunities.

Led by the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund; Department for Children and Families; Department of Health and Environment, and the Kansas State Department of Education, policymakers are is in the midst of assessing the greatest areas of need and developing a plan that will shape the future of early childhood education in Kansas.

From improving the quality of early childhood services to sharing best educational practices, Kansas is laser-focused on the success of its earliest learners. Pursue a career in early childhood education in Kansas and you’ll be a valuable addition to the state’s continued efforts to improve and strengthen the education system.

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Kansas Salary Rankings

#20

in the US for Special Education Teachers, Preschool

#40

in the US for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare

#48

in the US for Childcare Workers

#36

in the US for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

#29

in the US for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

#31

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

Early Childhood Jobs in Kansas

With average salaries for early childhood educators landing neither at the top nor the bottom when compared to neighboring states, Kansas is a good example of the Midwest average. Only befitting for a state that’s located in the geographical center of the U.S.

For example, while Nebraska takes the lead when it comes to the average salary for preschool teachers, at $37,980, Kansas is next in line with an average salary of $31,560. But in a comparison with Missouri ($30,440) and Oklahoma ($29,310), Kansas comes out as the clear leader.

Occupation	Total Employed	Median Annual Salary	% of US Median
Childcare Workers	5,800	$20,650	84%
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	1,490	$54,340	86%
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	1,930	$31,560	92%
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	1,090	$51,230	88%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	2,190	$37,640	76%
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare	530	$44,820	83%
Special Education Teachers, Preschool	390	$55,700	90%
= Salary below nat’l. avg. = Salary above nat’l. avg.

Special education teachers in preschool settings are at the top among Kansas’ early childhood educators, earning an average of $55,700, followed closely by special education teachers in kindergarten settings, who earn an average of $54,340.

Childcare Workers – There are 5,800 childcare workers employed in Kansas. These professionals earn $20,650 on average. Childcare worker jobs in Kansas should increase by 7.8% through 2026.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers – There are 2,190 child, family, and school social workers employed in Kansas, and these professionals earn an average salary of $42,510. Jobs among Kansas’ child, family, and school social workers are expected to increase by 14.4% through 2026.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education – Kansas’ 1,090 kindergarten teachers earn an average of $51,230. Kindergarten teacher employment in Kansas is expected to increase by 5.3% through 2026.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education – There are 1,930 preschool teachers employed in Kansas. Jobs for these professionals pay an average salary of $31,560. The number of preschool teachers here in Kansas is expected to increase by 9.4% through 2026.

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City-Level Job Stats

You’ll find that average salaries for early childhood education professionals tend to vary depending on the region of the state in which you work. ECE professionals in the Kansas City metropolitan region enjoys consistently high salaries in most settings, while average salaries for Topeka’s early childhood educators tend to be lower than their colleagues in the larger metro areas of Kansas.

Preschool Teachers

Kansas City, MO-KS – 1,740 licensed teachers with an average salary of $27,910
Wichita – 570 licensed teachers with an average salary of $33,160
Lawrence –110 licensed teachers with an average salary of $33,930
Topeka –280 licensed teachers with an average salary of $28,050
Manhattan – 80 licensed teachers with an average salary of $31,850

Kindergarten Teachers

Kansas City, MO-KS – 770 licensed teachers with an average salary of $56,470
Wichita – 140 licensed teachers with an average salary of $51,360
Lawrence – 60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $48,760
Topeka – 130 licensed teachers with an average salary of $47,890

Special Education Teachers – Preschool

Kansas City, MO-KS – 150 licensed teachers with an average salary of $56,040
Wichita – 60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $56,990
Topeka – 50 licensed teachers with an average salary of $51,060

Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School

Kansas City, MO-KS – 730 licensed teachers with an average salary of $59,570
Wichita – 190 licensed teachers with an average salary of $57,990
Topeka – 190 licensed teachers with an average salary of $47,690

Education Administrators – Preschool and Childcare

Kansas City, MO-KS – 350 licensed teachers with an average salary of $50,730
Wichita – 140 licensed teachers with an average salary of $39,930
Topeka – 60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $36,440

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