Early Childhood Education Jobs in Rhode Island
Considering a career in early childhood education in Rhode Island? Lucky you, you’ll be part of an early childhood system that values both its students and the professionals who care for and teach them.
Excellence in early childhood education has been a long-standing commitment for Rhode Island. In 2008, the state introduced a pilot pre-k program that resulted in the highest quality rating from the National Institute of Early Education Research (NIEER). Just a year later, the state established its first state-funded pre-k program and, with the help of NIEER, studied the growth and quality of the program for several years, resulting in one of the highest-quality, free pre-k programs in the nation.
Rhode Island’s pre-k program continues to grow, with an enrollment of about 1,062 children by 2022.
With strong salaries, excellent job projections, and a system that’s focused on providing the state’s earliest learners with the most valuable learning opportunities, Rhode Island’s early childhood educators are poised for success.
Rhode Island Salary Rankings
in the US for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
in the US for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare
in the US for Special Education Teachers, Preschool
in the US for Childcare Workers
in the US for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Early Childhood Jobs in Rhode Island
Small but mighty, Rhode Island’s longstanding commitment to education has resulted in teacher salaries that give many other states a run for their money. Ranked among the top earners in New England, alongside Connecticut and Massachusetts, Rhode Island’s early childhood educators enjoy competitive salaries that often exceed the national average.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Median Annual Salary | % of US Median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare Workers | 2,480 | $27,560 |  112% |
|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 1,770 | $61,440 | 123% |
|
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,120 | $32,400 |  94% |
|
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | 430 | $70,720 | 117% |
|
| Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare | 190 | $55,320 | 102% |
|
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | 90 | $70,590 | 115% |
|
| = Salary below nat’l. avg. = Salary above nat’l. avg. |
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Rhode Island’s child, family and school social workers and special ed preschool teachers both earn top spots in the nation for their average pay. Child, family, and school social workers are ranked fourth in the nation, while special ed preschool teachers are ranked third. Both of these occupations have average salaries that beat out the national average by $12,000.
Childcare Workers – Rhode Island’s 2,480 childcare workers earn an average salary of $27,560 – that’s about $3,000 more than the national average.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers – There are 1,770 child, family, and school social workers employed in Rhode Island, and these professionals earn an average salary of $61,440, or about $12,000 more than the national average. The number of child, family, and school social workers in Rhode Island is projected to increase by 5.9% through 2026.
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education – There are 560 kindergarten teachers working in Rhode Island, and they earn an average salary of $65,530 – that’s about $7,000 above the national average.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education – The state’s 1,120 preschool teachers earn an average salary of $32,400. There are about twice as many preschool teachers in Rhode Island as kindergarten teachers.
Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School – Rhode Island’s 430 special education teachers earn an average salary of $70,720 – that’s more than $7,000 above the national average.
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare – There are 190 education administrators working in preschool and childcare settings in Rhode Island. These professionals earn an average salary of $55,320, or about $2,000 more than the national average. Employment among Rhode Island’s education administrators in preschool and childcare settings is projected to increase by 5.9% through 2026.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool – There are 90 special education teachers in preschool settings employed in Rhode Island. These professionals earn an average salary of $70,590 – that’s $12,000 more than the national average.
City-Level Job Stats
Salaries among Rhode Island’s metro areas are mixed when it comes to the professionals that serve in early childhood education settings.
Preschool Teachers
- Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA – 1,650 licensed teachers with an average salary of $32,330
- Norwich-New London, CT-RI – 250 licensed teachers with an average salary of $40,120
Kindergarten Teachers
- Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA – 670 licensed teachers with an average salary of $67,010
- Norwich-New London, CT-RI – 110 licensed teachers with an average salary of $72,150
Special Education Teachers – Preschool
- Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA – 100 licensed teachers with an average salary of $67,100
Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School
- Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA – 770 licensed teachers with an average salary of $71,460
- Norwich-New London, CT-RI – 160 licensed teachers with an average salary of $69,960
Education Administrators – Preschool and Childcare
- Providence-Fall River-Warwick, RI-MA – 250 licensed teachers with an average salary of $55,690
- Norwich-New London, CT-RI – 60 licensed teachers with an average salary of $43,310
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_ri.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.
