Early childhood educators are vital to shaping the development of young children, but despite the significant responsibility of nurturing young learners, many educators earn wages that fall far below a living wage.
In this brief, we outline findings from a comprehensive study of the North Texas early care and education (ECE) workforce, showing that early educators across the region earn a median wage of $15 per hour—which translates to an annual wage of $31,000. Meanwhile, in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Area, the local living wage is $49,629 per year, or $23.86 per hour for a single adult, creating a stark difference in one’s ability to afford local housing and basic life essentials.
Additionally, the brief reveals that wages remain low regardless of an educator’s academic or professional qualifications. Without meaningful supports such as career advancement opportunities or compensation for their skills and experience, many educators face the tough decision to leave a sector that is critical to the wellbeing of children, families, and the broader economy.
