Early Childhood Education Jobs in Oklahoma

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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.

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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

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.

Occupation Total Employed Median Annual Salary % of US Median
Childcare Workers 7,160 $20,440 eks83%
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education 5,830 $29,310 eks85%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers 6,330 $36,470 eks73%
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education 2,080 $40,120 eks69%
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School 2,100 $42,630 eks68%
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare 620 $41,540 eks77%
Special Education Teachers, Preschool 90 $41,390 eks67%
eks = Salary below nat’l. avg.     check = Salary above nat’l. avg.

Childcare Workers – There are 7,160 childcare workers in Oklahoma earning an average of $20,440 annually.

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 strong in the coming years, increasing by 16% 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.

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.

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.

Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare – The 620 preschool administrators in Oklahoma earn an average annual salary of $41,540. Thanks to a projected job growth of 11% through 2026, you’re bound to find plenty of exciting professional opportunities in this field.

Special Education Teachers, Preschool – Oklahoma’s 90 special ed teachers in preschool settings earn $41,390 on average. Jobs in special ed are expected to increase by 8% through 2026, creating 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

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment Statistics, [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.

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