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
in the US for Special Education Teachers, Preschool
in the US for Childcare Workers
in the US for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
in the US for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
in the US for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
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. |
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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.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education – Oklahoma’s 5,830 preschool teachers earn an average of $29,310. There are more than twice the number of preschool teachers than kindergarten teachers here, and job growth is expected to remain strong in the coming years. In fact, jobs among preschool teachers in Oklahoma are projected to increase by 11.4% through 2026, which is higher than the national projected growth rate of 10% for this occupation.
Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School – Oklahoma’s 2,100 special ed teachers in kindergarten and elementary school settings earn, on average, $42,630 each year. Employment for these professionals in Oklahoma is projected to rise by 6.5% through 2026.
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare – The 620 preschool administrators in Oklahoma earn an average annual salary of $41,540. Preschool and childcare education administrator jobs in Oklahoma are projected to increase by 11.6% through 2026, which is slightly higher than the national projected growth rate of 11% for these early childhood education professionals.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool – Oklahoma’s 90 special ed teachers in preschool settings earn $41,390 on average. Employment among Oklahoma’s special education teachers in preschool settings is projected to increase by 18.2% through 2026 – that’s more than double the national projected growth rate of 8%, ensuring more and more opportunities for professionals in this specialized niche in the coming years.
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
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_ok.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.
