Careers in Early Childhood Education
Career Paths within Early Childhood Education
Join the ranks of a bright, empathetic and dedicated group of individuals whose work is critical to our community.
Your skills are in demand! According to Mesa County Public Health, the county’s licensed childcare facilities are available to just 21% of children from birth to age 5. That leaves many working parents—or parents who want to work—with limited options.
The Early Childhood Career Ladder
There are countless directions you can take your early childhood career! With each certification, training, and class, new doors can be opened!
Click on the titles below to explore more about each career path!
View the complete Careers in Early Childhood: National Directory
- SETTING – Operate a child care facility within your own space
- EDUCATION – CDA, Associates, Bachelors
- SALARY RANGE – $16,000 – 36,000
- SETTING – Centers/Homes, schools, non profits,
- EDUCATION – Bachelors or Graduate Degree in Early Childhood Education/Development
- SALARY RANGE – $31,000 – 74,000
- SETTING – Homes, Centers, Private or Public Preschool Programs
- EDUCATION – CDA, Associates, Bachelors
- SALARY RANGE – $13 – 27 per hour
- SETTING – Child and Adult Care Food Program, Child care licensing, State Pre-Kindergarten offices, County/state departments of social services or education, Office of Head Start
- EDUCATION – Graduate degree in Early Childhood Education/Development or Social Work
- SALARY RANGE – $28,000 – 91,000
- SETTING – Centers, Private or Public Preschool Programs, Head Start
- EDUCATION – CDA, Associates, Bachelors
- SALARY RANGE – $17,000 – 55,000
- SETTING – Homes, Centers, Private or Public Preschool Programs
- EDUCATION – Associates, Bachelors, or Graduate Degree in Early Childhood
- SALARY RANGE – $30,000 – 85,000
- SETTING – Head Start, non profits, departments of human services, health/mental health agencies
- EDUCATION – Bachelors or Graduate Degree in Early Childhood Education/Development, Public Health, or Social Work
- SALARY RANGE – $25,000 – 56,000
Continued support and learning
With support from Mesa County Department of Human Services and Mesa County Workforce Center, PCF has been able to offer courses for college credit, such as Child Development Associate and Expanding Quality Infant-Toddler (EQIT) classes. Colorado Shines’ Professional Development Information System is a free resource with online training related to early care and learning. Together, we offer hundreds of hours of trainings for early childhood educators each year.