Early Childhood Education Jobs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s commitment to education and to the state’s earliest learners is nothing short of impressive – and for early childhood educators here, this translates into exceptional professional opportunities in the coming years.
Governor Tom Wolf’s new budget includes more money for education – much, much more money, nearly doubling funding over the next five years. The state’s 2019-2020 budget includes a $30 million increase for early education, resulting in about 2,200 new openings in the PA Pre-K Counts program and 465 new openings in the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program. Also included in the budget is an increase of $15 million for preschool early intervention services.
These types of investments have allowed Pennsylvania to remain a national leader in early childhood education. Pursuing the kind of education that qualifies you to become a preschool teacher in Pennsylvania is a sound investment in your future.
Pennsylvania Salary Rankings
in the US for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
in the US for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
in the US for Childcare Workers
in the US for Special Education Teachers, Preschool
in the US for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare
in the US for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Early Childhood Jobs in Pennsylvania
Average salaries for early childhood education professionals in Pennsylvania can be best described as consistent and competitive when compared to salaries among their counterparts in other Northeast states.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Median Annual Salary | % of US Median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare Workers | 25,370 | $22,920 |  93% |
|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 20,160 | $43,680 | 88% |
|
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 13,480 | $29,250 | 85% |
|
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | 6,010 | $66,860 |  106% |
|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 3,350 | $62,510 | 107% |
|
| Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare | 2,730 | $48,890 | 91% |
|
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | 570 | $54,160 | 88% |
|
| = Salary below nat’l. avg. = Salary above nat’l. avg. |
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In Pennsylvania, salaries for teachers and others working with young learners fall closely in line with the national average. Salaries for both kindergarten teachers and special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary school settings outdo the national average and land them a spot among the top earners in Pennsylvania’s education system.
Childcare Workers – Pennsylvania’s 25,370 childcare workers earn an average salary of $22,920. The number of childcare worker jobs in Pennsylvania is expected to increase by 3.1% through 2026.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers – There are 20,160 child, family, and school social workers licensed in Pennsylvania, and these professionals earn an average salary of $43,680. Employment among these social work specialists is projected to increase by 8.5% through 2026.
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education – There are 3,350 kindergarten teachers working in Pennsylvania, and these professionals earn an average salary of $62,510 – that’s about $4,000 above the national average. Jobs among Pennsylvania’s kindergarten teachers are projected to rise by 5.6% through 2026.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education – Pennsylvania’s 13,480 preschool teachers earn an average salary of $29,250, and the number of jobs are increasing at a steady clip. The number of Pennsylvania preschool teachers is projected to increase by 6.8% through 2026.
Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School – In Pennsylvania, some 6,010 special education teachers work in kindergarten and elementary school settings earning an average salary of $66,860 – that’s about $3,000 above the national average. The number of special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary school settings is projected to rise by 5.1% through 2026.
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare – There are 2,730 education administrators in preschool and childcare settings employed in Pennsylvania. These professionals earn, on average, $48,890. Preschool and childcare education administrator jobs in Pennsylvania should increase by 6.9% through 2026.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool – Pennsylvania’s 570 special education teachers in preschool settings earn an average salary of $54,160. Jobs for special education teachers in preschool settings should rise by 4.5% through 2026.
City-Level Job Stats
It comes as little surprise that the massive metro areas in and around Pennsylvania lead the pack, not only for the number of early childhood education professionals, but also for salary. In some instances, salaries in the big cities exceed what early childhood educators in other parts of the state earn by more than $10,000.
Preschool Teachers
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD – 9,400 licensed teachers with an average salary of $31,720
- Pittsburgh, PA –1,720 licensed teachers with an average salary of $27,370
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ – 960 licensed teachers with an average salary of $34,920
- Scranton-Wilkes-Barre – 680 licensed teachers with an average salary of $25,510
- Harrisburg-Carlisle – 530 licensed teachers with an average salary of $27,600
- Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA – 410 licensed teachers with an average salary of $29,280
- Lancaster –470 licensed teachers with an average salary of $28,580
- Erie – 300 licensed teachers with an average salary of $25,730
- York-Hanover – 500 licensed teachers with an average salary of $27,290
- Reading – 460 licensed teachers with an average salary of $29,450
- Altoona – 150 licensed teachers with an average salary of $24,720
- Williamsport – 100 licensed teachers with an average salary of $25,920
- Johnstown –average salary of $27,060
- Lebanon – 70 licensed teachers with an average salary of $23,530
- State College – 170 licensed teachers with an average salary of $28,520
Kindergarten Teachers
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD – 1,810 licensed teachers with an average salary of $59,670
- Pittsburgh, PA – 470 licensed teachers with an average salary of $71,740
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ – 510 licensed teachers with an average salary of $74,950
- Scranton-Wilkes-Barre – 170 licensed teachers with an average salary of $65,500
- Harrisburg-Carlisle – 210 licensed teachers with an average salary of $53,830
- Lancaster –average salary of $57,180
- Erie – 90 licensed teachers with an average salary of $54,210
- York-Hanover – average salary of $56,630
- Reading – 160 licensed teachers with an average salary of $56,470
- Johnstown – 30 licensed teachers with an average salary of $54,470
Special Education Teachers – Preschool
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD – 130 licensed teachers with an average salary of $53,230
Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD – 4,980 licensed teachers with an average salary of $68,220
- Pittsburgh, PA – 880 licensed teachers with an average salary of $66,030
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ – 860 licensed teachers with an average salary of $73,120
- Scranton-Wilkes-Barre – 240 licensed teachers with an average salary of $57,780
- Harrisburg-Carlisle – 350 licensed teachers with an average salary of $59,140
- Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA – 270 licensed teachers with an average salary of $58,450
- Lancaster –average salary of $62,360
- Erie – 120 licensed teachers with an average salary of $55,180
- York-Hanover – 240 licensed teachers with an average salary of $68,130
- Reading – 260 licensed teachers with an average salary of $60,710
- Altoona – 50 licensed teachers with an average salary of $50,210
- Johnstown –average salary of $56,970
Education Administrators – Preschool and Childcare
- Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD – 1,580 licensed teachers with an average salary of $56,920
- Pittsburgh, PA – 560 licensed teachers with an average salary of $42,260
- Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ – 180 licensed teachers with an average salary of $42,650
- Scranton-Wilkes-Barre – 100 licensed teachers with an average salary of $57,110
- Harrisburg-Carlisle – 120 licensed teachers with an average salary of $47,330
- Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA – 60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $56,210
- Lancaster – 90 licensed teachers with an average salary of $44,500
- Erie – 70 licensed teachers with an average salary of $43,280
- York-Hanover – 70 licensed teachers with an average salary of $49,570
- Reading –60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $57,330
2018 Occupational Employment Statistics sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [salary data accessed April 2019] https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_pa.htm#25-0000
BLS salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.