Early Childhood Education Jobs in Oklahoma

Complacency is not part of Oklahoma’s vocabulary when it comes to early childhood learning. Since 1998, when Oklahoma became the second state to provide free preschool for all four-year-olds, it has been at the forefront of early childhood learning. Its most recent efforts include a $3 million federal grant called Oklahoma’s Future Begins with Children (OKFutures), which will be used to improve the quality and coordination of the state’s current early childhood services.

With a goal to “create the country’s most effective early childhood, mixed-delivery system,” Oklahoma is, once again, living up to its reputation as a national leader in early childhood education.

This means abundant opportunities not just for the state’s youngest learners but also for the dedicated professionals who are committed to nurturing and educating them.

Oklahoma Salary Rankings

#40

in the US for Special Education Teachers, Preschool

#49

in the US for Childcare Workers

#39

in the US for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education

#50

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

#50

in the US for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education

#45

in the US for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare

Early Childhood Jobs in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a place that has a lot to offer preschool teachers and others working within the sphere of early childhood education. For example, the state’s retirement system for teachers is partially supported through taxpayer funds, which increases total compensation for the state’s education professionals, on average, by about $7,000. And thanks to a lower cost of living in the Sooner State, your paycheck will get you further than it would in many other parts of the country.

Occupation	Total Employed	Median Annual Salary	% of US Median
Childcare Workers	7,160	$20,440	83%
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	5,830	$29,310	85%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	6,330	$36,470	73%
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	2,080	$40,120	69%
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	2,100	$42,630	68%
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare	620	$41,540	77%
Special Education Teachers, Preschool	90	$41,390	67%
= Salary below nat’l. avg. = Salary above nat’l. avg.

Jobs in early childhood education are fairly consistent across the board when it comes to salary potential, with kindergarten teachers, special ed teachers in both preschool and elementary school settings, and preschool administrators all earning about $41,000 annually.

Childcare Workers – There are 7,160 childcare workers in Oklahoma earning an average of $20,440 annually. Jobs among Oklahoma’s childcare workers are expected to increase by 11% through 2026 – that’s higher than the national projected growth rate of 7% for these professionals.

Child, Family, and School Social Workers – Oklahoma’s 6,330 child, family, and school social workers earn $36,470 on average. Demand for these professionals is expected to remain steady in the coming years, increasing by more than 5% through 2026.

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education – There are 2,080 kindergarten teachers employed in Oklahoma, and these professionals earn an average salary of $40,120. The number of kindergarten teacher jobs in Oklahoma is expected to increase by 7.4% through 2026.

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City-Level Job Stats

West Fort Smith comes out on top for average salaries in early childhood education in Oklahoma, particularly among special ed teachers in kindergarten and elementary school settings, who earn, on average, between $5,000-$9,000 more than their colleagues in other parts of the state.

Preschool Teachers

Oklahoma City – 2,160 licensed teachers with an average salary of $29,550
Tulsa – 1,750 licensed teachers with an average salary of $27,580
Fort Smith, AR-OK – 220 licensed teachers with an average salary of $30,710
Lawton – 160 licensed teachers with an average salary of $24,770

Kindergarten Teachers

Oklahoma City – 670 licensed teachers with an average salary of $42,240
Tulsa – 530 licensed teachers with an average salary of $40,790
Fort Smith, AR-OK – 170 licensed teachers with an average salary of $46,800
Lawton – 60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $39,650

Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School

Oklahoma City – 570 licensed teachers with an average salary of $43,800
Tulsa – 570 licensed teachers with an average salary of $42,220
Fort Smith, AR-OK – 110 licensed teachers with an average salary of $49,250
Lawton – 170 licensed teachers with an average salary of $44,730

Education Administrators – Preschool and Childcare

Oklahoma City – 200 administrators with an average salary of $41,730
Tulsa – 110 administrators with an average salary of $41,790
Fort Smith, AR-OK – 40 administrators with an average salary of $36,950
Lawton – 40 administrators with an average salary of $35,800

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