As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for early childhood development in the US is $45,435, equivalent to $22 per hour, $874 weekly, or $3,786 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for early childhood development in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.

Annually Salaries for early childhood development in the US vary widely, spanning from $35,112 to $54,099. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($40,032) and 75th percentile ($49,970), while top earners (90th percentile) make $54,099 per year. This $9,938 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or First Aid, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.

Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, District of Columbia early childhood development often earn 10.7% above national averages due to demand from Fortune 67 companies and industry startups. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.

Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential
early childhood development Salaries by Percentile
Percentile Salary Location Last Updated
10th Percentile early childhood development Salary $35,112 US April 01, 2026
25th Percentile early childhood development Salary $40,032 US April 01, 2026
50th Percentile early childhood development Salary $45,435 US April 01, 2026
75th Percentile early childhood development Salary $49,970 US April 01, 2026
90th Percentile early childhood development Salary $54,099 US April 01, 2026
25% $40,032 10% $35,112 90% $54,099 75% $49,970 $45,435 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click
Change Search Criteria
Check out early childhood development jobs in Columbus, Ohio

Early Childhood Educator

Carney, Sandoe & Associates - Gahanna, OH

Search More early childhood development Jobs in Columbus, Ohio

What is a early childhood development ?

Early childhood development professionals play a crucial role in fostering the cognitive, emotional, and social growth of young children. Responsibilities include designing and implementing age-appropriate educational programs, assessing developmental milestones, and creating a nurturing environment that promotes learning through play. Collaboration with parents and caregivers is essential to support each child's unique needs. Salaries in this field can vary widely based on factors such as location, level of education, and years of experience. On average, early childhood educators can expect...

Source: (as of 06/04/2025). Read more from

See user submitted job responsibilities for early childhood development.

Job Openings for early childhood development

Career Path for this job

  1. This Job:

    early childhood development


    Associate's Degree

  2. Up a level:

    Child Caregiver I

    0 - 1 years experience
    High School Diploma or Technical Certificate

Understand the total compensation opportunity for a early childhood development, base salary plus other pay elements

Average Base Salary

Core compensation

 
 
 
40032
49970
45435

Average Total Cash Compensation

Includes base and annual incentives

 
 
 
41928
51966
46156
These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of early childhood development in the United States. The base salary for early childhood development ranges from $40,032 to $49,970 with the average base salary of $45,435. The total cash compensation, which includes base, and annual incentives, can vary anywhere from $41,928 to $51,966 with the average total cash compensation of $46,156.

Discover how your pay is adjusted for skills, experience, and other factors

How much should you be paid?

For a real-time salary target, tell us more about your role in the four categories below.

40032
49970

 

Jobs with a similar salary range to early childhood development : Childhood Teacher, Trained Teacher, Head Start Preschool Teacher