What Can I Do with an Early Childhood Education Degree?

Support the Needs of Children, No Matter the Situation or Setting.

It’s no secret that those who pursue a career in early childhood education find it to be a rewarding experience. What’s lesser known is that the field is constantly expanding, providing an array of opportunities that stretch far beyond the classroom. Not only can you choose to work with children of particular ages or needs, but you can also select the setting that best suits you — whether it be in healthcare, social work, business, or something else altogether. These varying opportunities come in the form of different educational occupations, all meant for specialization in early childhood education. So, no matter your professional preferences, you’ll get to do what truly matters to you: positively impact the lives of young children.

Job Opportunities

Early childhood education is a broad term in a robust field. While it commonly refers to the education that takes place in the preschool years of a child’s life, early childhood educators often work with children beyond the preschool environment, building a foundation for the learning styles they’ll use well into adulthood. A degree in the field will provide skills that translate to several careers involving children and learning, including:

Childcare Center Directors supervise and lead their staff, design program plans, oversee daily activities, and prepare budgets.

  • The median annual wage for childcare center directors is $47,310.
  • Employment of childcare center directors is projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Head Start/Preschool Teachers educate and care for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten.

  • The median annual wage for preschool teachers is $30,210.
  • Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 18% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Early Childhood Environmental Educators foster curiosity to help young children develop a lifelong love of nature and a sound foundation for environmental literacy.

  • The median annual wage for early childhood environmental educators is $36,804.
  • Employment of early childhood environmental educators is projected to grow 10% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Early Intervention Specialists are trained educators who work with kids from birth through age 4 to address developmental delays.

  • The median annual wage for early intervention specialists is $44,801.
  • Employment of early intervention specialists is projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Family Childcare Providers attend to children’s needs — often within the home — while helping to foster early development.

  • The median annual wage for childcare providers is $27,490.
  • Employment of childcare providers is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Child Life Specialists are healthcare professionals who help children and families navigate the process of illness, injury, disability, trauma, or hospitalization.

  • The median annual wage for child life specialists is $49,783.
  • Employment of child life specialists is projected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.

Educational Consultants help various industries develop programs, regulations, and public policies that will improve the quality of early care and education.

  • The median annual wage for educational consultants is $44,434.
  • Employment of educational consultants is projected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

While some careers listed above may require additional education or licensure, a degree in early childhood education establishes a strong foundation from which to build upon and expand your career opportunities.

Explore Your Opportunities

Early childhood educators are often considered the building blocks of learning, as they lay the foundation for exploration and discovery that will forever impact a child’s life. And here at UC Online, we know you chose this career path because you don’t just want a career — you want a rewarding everyday experience wherein you support the needs of children.

So — are you ready to learn more about our related degrees? Explore our online programs to discover how you can achieve your goals with an early childhood education degree from the University of Cincinnati Online; or take the first step in advancing your career by beginning your application today. 

All wage and job growth data sourced from the U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics

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