Early Childhood Education Jobs in Idaho

In March 2019, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed into law House Bill 153, which will increase starting teacher salaries by $5,000 through 2021. That’s good news for the state’s early childhood educators, who historically have earned less than the national average. But while salaries in Idaho have fallen short when compared to the national average and to neighboring states in the West, like Oregon and Washington, a lower cost of living in the Gem State means salaries here are more competitive than at first glance. There are also top earners in the category of child, family, and school social workers, who earn an average of $52,110, followed closely by kindergarten teachers, who earn, on average, $50,790.

Early Childhood Jobs in Idaho

Occupation	Total Employed	Median Annual Salary	% of US Median
Childcare Workers	1,710	$21,740	88%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	1,310	$52,110	105%
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	810	$47,990	76%
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	1,090	$26,000	76%
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	230	$50,790	87%
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare	120	$39,960	74%
= Salary below nat’l. avg.      = Salary above nat’l. avg.

Childcare Workers – There are 1,710 childcare workers employed in Idaho. These childcare professionals earn an average salary of $21,740. The number of jobs for childcare workers in Idaho is projected to rise by 11.6% through 2026 – much higher than the national projected rate of 7% for this profession.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers – Idaho’s 1,310 child, family, and school social workers earn an average salary of $52,110, or about $3,000 more than the national average. Jobs among Idaho’s child, family, and school social workers are projected to increase by 14% through 2026.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education – There are 230 kindergarten teachers employed in Idaho. These professionals earn an average salary of $50,790. Employment among kindergarten teachers in Idaho is expected to increase by 14.7% through 2026 – that’s more than double the projected national growth rate of 7% for these professionals.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education – Preschool teacher employment in Idaho is expected to rise by 9% through 2026.

Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School –Idaho’s 810 special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary school settings earn an average salary of $47,990. Jobs for Idaho’s special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary school settings are expected to increase by 13.3% through 2026, which is much higher than the national projected growth rate of 8% for these professionals.

Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare – There are 120 education administrators working in Idaho, and these professionals earn, on average, $39,960. Jobs in this highly specialized educational field are expected to increase by 6.7% through 2026, on par with the national average job growth rate of 7%.

Special Education Teachers, Preschool – Employment among special education teachers in preschool settings in Idaho is projected to increase by 20% through 2026 – or more than double the projected national growth rate of 8% for these early childhood educators.

City-Level Job Stats

While Idaho Falls leads the state’s metropolitan regions for preschool teacher salaries, it falls short when it comes to salaries for special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary schools; instead, the Boise City and Lewiston metropolitan areas are where you can find the top salaries for these professionals.

Preschool Teachers

• Boise City – 530 licensed teachers with an average salary of $23,930
• Logan, UT-ID – average salary of $32,170
• Lewiston, ID-WA – 90 licensed teachers with an average salary of $27,230
• Idaho Falls –average salary of $29,620
• Pocatello – 70 licensed teachers with an average salary of $21,820

Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School

• Boise City – 330 licensed teachers with an average salary of $47,880
• Logan, UT-ID – average salary of $44,460
• Lewiston, ID-WA – 80 licensed teachers with an average salary of $48,820
• Idaho Falls –average salary of $34,700

Education Administrators – Preschool and Childcare

• Boise City – 60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $39,140

2018 Occupational Employment Statistics sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [salary data accessed April 2019] https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_id.htm#25-0000

BLS salary data represents state and MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) average and median earnings for the occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience. This data does not represent starting salaries. Employment conditions in your area may vary.