Early Childhood Education Jobs in Utah
When early childhood learning is a priority, everyone wins, and Utah is a fantastic example of a state that gives the youngest learners the attention they deserve.
Thanks to the work of the Utah Office of Child Care, everything from accessibility of childcare programs to the recruitment of qualified professionals is being addressed to ensure the continued success of the state’s early childhood programs.
Just a few of the solutions born out of the Utah Office of Child Care include subsidies for low-income families, grants for childcare providers in rural areas to help sustain their programs and pay for early childhood education professionals, and even scholarships that pay for professional development for childcare workers.
In short, Utah understands the importance of early childhood learning and is taking the necessary steps to ensure a bright future, not just for the children of the state, but also for the professionals who care for and educate them.
Utah Salary Rankings
in the US for Childcare Workers
in the US for Special Education Teachers, Preschool
in the US for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
in the US for Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare
in the US for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
in the US for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Early Childhood Jobs in Utah
In Utah, salaries for preschool teachers and others working in the field of early childhood education are well aligned with regional averages, making them quite competitive with what’s seen in the neighboring states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico.
| Occupation | Total Employed | Median Annual Salary | % of US Median | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Childcare Workers | 5,990 | $22,420 |  91% |
|
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | 1,490 | $46,320 | 74% |
|
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | 1,550 | $29,700 | 86% |
|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | 2,340 | $44,160 | 89% |
|
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | 680 | $48,320 | 83% |
|
| Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare | 170 | $41,730 | 77% |
|
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | 270 | $48,260 | 78% |
|
= Salary below nat’l. avg.  = Salary above nat’l. avg. |
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Utah’s highest earners within the broader field of early childhood education are kindergarten teachers, with an average salary of $48,320, followed closely by special ed teachers in preschools who earn an average salary of $48,260.
Childcare Workers – There are 5,990 childcare workers employed in Utah earning an average salary of $22,420. The number of childcare workers in Utah is projected to increase by a truly impressive 40% through 2026 – more than five times the projected national growth rate of 7%!
Child, Family, and School Social Workers – The 2,340 child, family, and school social workers that call Utah home earn an average of $44,160. The number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 16% through 2026. Employment among Utah’s childcare workers is projected to increase by 41% – that’s more than double the projected national growth rate of 16% among these professionals.
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education – Utah’s 680 kindergarten teachers earn an average salary of $48,320. Kindergarten teacher jobs in Utah should rise by 26.1% through 2026, more than triple the projected national growth rate of 7%.
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education – The state’s 1,550 preschool teachers earn an average salary of $29,700. Employment among Utah’s preschool teachers is projected to rise by 38.9% through 2026 – nearly four times the projected national growth rate of 10% for these professionals.
Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School – There are 1,490 special education teachers at the kindergarten and elementary level employed in Utah. These jobs pay $46,320 on average. The number of special education teacher jobs at the kindergarten and elementary school levels in Utah is projected to increase by 25.6% through 2026 – that’s more than triple the projected national growth rate of 8% for these professionals.
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare – Utah’s 170 education administrators in preschool and childcare settings earn, on average, $41,730. Jobs in this field are projected to increase by 11% through 2026, thereby ensuring a wealth of professional opportunities in the coming years. Employment for Utah education administrators in preschool and childcare settings is projected to increase by 34.3% through 2026, or more than triple the projected national growth rate of 11% for this occupation.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool – The 270 special education teachers working in Utah’s preschools earn an average of $48,260, and jobs in this field are projected to increase at a rate of 8% through 2026.
City-Level Job Stats
Salt Lake City’s kindergarten teachers and early childhood educators enjoy some of the highest salaries in Utah, surpassing other metropolitan regions by as much as $9,000. For example, special education teachers in kindergarten and elementary school settings earn an average salary of $48,750, compared to those in the Ogden-Clearfield metro area, who earn just $39,480.
Preschool Teachers
- Salt Lake City – 650 licensed teachers with an average salary of $30,330
- Ogden-Clearfield – 430 licensed teachers with an average salary of $29,900
- Provo-Orem – 320 licensed teachers with an average salary of $26,670
- Logan, UT-ID –average salary of $32,170
- George – 50 licensed teachers with an average salary of $22,620
Kindergarten Teachers
- Salt Lake City – 420 licensed teachers with an average salary of $47,810
- Provo-Orem –average salary of $39,280
Special Education Teachers – Preschool
- Salt Lake City –average salary of $30,650
Special Education Teachers – Kindergarten and Elementary School
- Salt Lake City – 750 licensed teachers with an average salary of $48,750
- Ogden-Clearfield – 250 licensed teachers with an average salary of $39,480
- Logan, UT-ID –average salary of $44,460
Education Administrators – Preschool and Childcare
- Salt Lake City – 80 administrators with an average salary of $45,760
- Ogden-Clearfield –average salary of $33,170
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_ut.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.
