Early Childhood Education Jobs in Iowa

Iowa may not rank among the top states in the nation for teacher pay, but all’s not lost for early childhood educators in this beautiful Midwestern state. That’s because thanks to a low cost of living, Iowa actually ranks among the top states in America’s Heartland for early childhood education salaries, behind only Michigan and Ohio.

The top earners in early childhood education in Iowa are its special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary settings, who earn an average of $56,300. Not far behind are the state’s kindergarten teachers and special education teachers in preschool settings, who earn, on average, $53,200 and $49,330, respectively.

Iowa Salary Rankings

#30

in the US for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

#50

in the US for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

#26

in the US for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

#41

in the US for Childcare Workers

#48

in the US for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare

Early Childhood Jobs in Iowa

Occupation Total Employed Median Annual Salary % of US Median
Childcare Workers 8,770 $21,540 eks88%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers 2,930 $44,720 eks90%
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 4,770 $27,030 eks79%
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School 1,400 $56,300 eks89%
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 800 $53,200 eks91%
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare 810 $40,270 eks75%
eks = Salary below nat’l. avg.     check = Salary above nat’l. avg.

Childcare Workers – There are 8,770 childcare workers employed in Iowa, and these professionals earn an average salary of $21,540. Employment for Iowa’s childcare workers is expected to increase by 10.3% through 2026 –much higher than the national projected growth rate of just 7%.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers – Iowa’s 2,930 child, family and school social workers earn an average of $44,720. Jobs for these social work specialists in Iowa are expected to rise by 14.8% through 2026.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education – The state’s 800 kindergarten teachers earn, on average, $53,200, making them a top earner among early childhood education professionals. The number of jobs for kindergarten teachers in Iowa should rise by 7.7% through 2026.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education – There are 4,770 preschool teachers working in Iowa, which is more than five times the number of kindergarten teachers here. These professionals earn an average of $27,030. Employment among Iowa’s preschool teachers is expected to rise by 11.4% through 2026, which is higher than the national projected growth rate of 10% for this profession.


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Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School – Iowa’s 1,400 special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary school settings earn an average of $56,300, making them the top earners within the sphere of early childhood education in Iowa. Special education teacher jobs at the kindergarten and elementary school level in Iowa are expected to rise by 6.5% through 2026.

Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare – There are 810 education administrators in Iowa’s preschool and childcare settings who earn, on average, $40,270. Preschool and childcare education administrator jobs in Iowa are projected to rise by 12.2% through 2026 – that’s higher than the national projected growth rate of 11% for these specialized professionals in early childhood education.

Special Education Teachers, Preschool – Iowa’s 90 special education teachers in preschool settings earn an average salary of $49,330. The national job growth projections for these early childhood education professionals is 8% through 2026, and the outlook here in Iowa is just about as good at 7%.

City-Level Job Stats

While average salaries for early childhood educators in Iowa are fairly consistent across metropolitan areas, the Cedar Rapids metro area does stand out as a top payer for preschool teachers and special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary settings, while the Council Bluffs metro region is where kindergarten teachers and education administrators in preschool and childcare settings earn top salaries.

Preschool Teachers

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA – 480 licensed teachers with an average salary of $27,030
  • Des Moines-West Des Moines – 1,520 licensed teachers with an average salary of $25,100
  • Iowa City – 510 licensed teachers with an average salary of $22,390
  • Cedar Rapids – 760 licensed teachers with an average salary of $30,670
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls –140 licensed teachers with an average salary of $30,010
  • Sioux City, IA-NE-SD –140 licensed teachers with an average salary of $29,100
  • Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL –480 licensed teachers with an average salary of $27,930
  • Dubuque –190 licensed teachers with an average salary of $27,670
  • Ames – 270 licensed teachers with an average salary of $24,190

Kindergarten Teachers

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA – 430 licensed teachers with an average salary of $61,270
  • Des Moines-West Des Moines – 210 licensed teachers with an average salary of $50,170
  • Cedar Rapids – 110 licensed teachers with an average salary of $59,520
  • Sioux City, IA-NE-SD –30 licensed teachers with an average salary of $46,650
  • Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL – 140 licensed teachers with an average salary of $60,370

Special Education Teachers – Preschool

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA – 60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $58,760

Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA – 60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $58,760
  • Des Moines-West Des Moines – 410 licensed teachers with an average salary of $56,350
  • Cedar Rapids –120 licensed teachers with an average salary of $59,890
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls – average salary of $55,830
  • Sioux City, IA-NE-SD – 80 licensed teachers with an average salary of $53,500
  • Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL – 180 licensed teachers with an average salary of $57,810

Education Administrators – Preschool and Childcare

  • Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA – 160 licensed teachers with an average salary of $46,420
  • Des Moines-West Des Moines – 250 licensed teachers with an average salary of $43,320
  • Iowa City – 80 licensed teachers with an average salary of $33,440
  • Cedar Rapids –70 licensed teachers with an average salary of $39,310
  • Waterloo-Cedar Falls – 40 licensed teachers with an average salary of $44,040
  • Sioux City, IA-NE-SD –average salary of $45,880
  • Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL – 50 licensed teachers with an average salary of $35,350


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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_ia.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.

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