Many early education professionals are aware of only a few of their career options. There is more than teaching or directing a program. There are many more positions than one might realize that are available to an early education professional. These are just a few positions that show the range of options you have. Remember to network when looking for careers in this field. Every person or association you join is another contact you have. Explore your options by clicking on a career below.

• Teacher
• Director
• Teacher or Director
• Regulator of a home based program
• Family Specialist
• Trainer/Educator
• Administrators of local programs and Program Coordinator
• Early intervention specialist
• Consultant
• Researchers
• Merchandiser

These are a few of the many careers available to you as an early education professional. For additional career opportunities please call Child Care Services Association at (919)967-3272.

Teacher

Teachers’ salaries vary greatly. Teachers can make as little as $9,000 per year, but they can also make as much as $32,000 per year. The salary is dependent on the education level of the teacher and of the program itself. Teachers need to have completed the NC Early Childhood Credential, CDA, Associate degree or Bachelors degree. Teaching jobs can be found in Public programs, Head Starts, Child Care programs, and part-day preschools.

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Director

Director’s salaries range from $7.00-$25.00 per hour. This is directly related to the education of the director and the program itself. A director needs to have an Associate, Bachelors, or Masters degree. Jobs can be found in any early education program, school, and at Head start.

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Teacher or Director

Teachers & Directors of Home Based Schools can have varying salaries between $9,000 to $30,000 per year. If you are interested in either of these positions, a NC Early Childhood Credential, Associate, or Bachelors degree is required. This is a job you could do in your home, with the right kind of environment (safe and educational).

Informational link: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/humandev/links.html

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Regulator of a home based program

Regulators’ salaries range from $23,000 to $43,000 per year. Regulatory positions require a Bachelors or Masters degree. These positions can be found at the Division of Child Development, Division of Social Services, NC Dept. of Public Instruction, county health department, and Division of Mental Health.

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Family Specialist

Family Specialists can earn as much as $42,500 per year or could make as little as $10,000 per year. The salary varies by agency, education, and experience. The degrees normally required for Family Specialist positions are Associate, LPN, Registered Nurse, Bachelors or Masters in Health, Early Education, Child Development and Social Work. Positions can be found in many places within a county. Some places to look would be the Health Department, Division of Child Development, Child Resource and Referral Agencies an Department of Social Services.

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Trainers/Educators

Trainers/Educators can have a variety of positions available to them. They could be independent consultants, which would require them to have their Bachelors or Masters degree. As an independent consultant, their salaries range from $10 to $100 per hour.

An educator could be a member of an institution’s faculty. This requires a Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D. Salaries range from $21,000 to $80,000 yearly.

Trainers or educators could also work for the state or local community. This position requires a Bachelors and the salary ranges from $11,000 to $47,000 depending on the geographic area and position.

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Program Administrators and Coordinators

Program Administrators’ and Coordinators’ salaries depend on experience and location. Local Administrators salaries range from $12,000 to $69,000 per year. State salaries are slightly higher. They are between $26,500 to $70,000 per year. Both require a Bachelors or Masters degree. These types of positions would be found at Head Start programs, Child Resource and Referral, Developmental Evaluation Centers, NC Cooperative Extensions, public schools, Division of Child Development, and many more places.

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Early Intervention Specialist

Early Intervention Specialists’ salaries range from $23,500 to $56,000 per year. Educational requirements for these positions are usually a Bachelors or Masters degree. Early intervention positions are found at the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, Substance Abuse Services, Developmental Evaluation Centers, Developmental Day Centers, public schools, Head Starts, and local health departments.

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Consultant

Consultants have freedom and flexibility but also have to schedule their own work. Consultants are required to have their Bachelors or Masters degree. Hourly rates for consultants vary from $10 to $65 per hour, varying on education and experience. Work for consultants can be found at your local Child Resource and Referral, Public Organizations, private consulting firms and independent consulting.

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Researcher

Researchers’ educational requirements vary as much as their salaries do. Research positions may require a Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D. Salaries may range from $18,000 to $80,000 per year. Research positions are often found at universities or colleges, research institutes, foundations, professional associations, state or local government agencies and advocacy organizations.

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Merchandiser

Merchandisers’ salaries range from $5.15 to $20 per hour. They are at many early childhood conventions and exhibits. Educational requirements for merchandising positions are Associate and Bachelors degree. Positions can be found at manufacturing companies, toy or resource stores.

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