If you're looking for ways to grow your career in early childhood education, you may be wondering:

• What roles could I qualify for?

• What does it pay?

• What kind of early child care course actually helps me get there?

This guide breaks it down. We’ll look at real job titles, including teaching, leadership, and family-facing roles, and explain what each one involves, how much it typically pays, and what kind of training or early child care certification can help you move toward it.

Whether you're exploring options or ready to take your next step, you'll leave with a clearer picture of what’s possible and how to get there.

Teaching Roles

If you enjoy working directly with children and want to build your skills in the classroom, these roles can offer meaningful work, professional growth, and a clear pathway forward.

Assistant Teacher / Classroom Aide

Education required: Entry-level training hours (often 40+ hours, varies by state)

Average salary: $31K - $44K/yr (Glassdoor) 

Assistant teachers support lead teachers with daily routines, activities, and classroom management. This is often the first step into a licensed child care setting and a chance to build experience while completing coursework.

Infant/ Toddler Teacher

Education required: CDA with an infant/toddler focus or associate degree
Average salary: $31K - $42K/ (Glassdoor)

Infant and toddler teachers care for children ages 0–3 and create nurturing environments that support early development. Many programs require a CDA with an infant/toddler specialization, and some states have specific training requirements for working with this age group.

Preschool Teacher

Education required: CDA credential or associate degree in early childhood education, varies by state

Average salary: $34K - $47K/yr (Glassdoor)

Lead teachers are responsible for planning lessons, managing the classroom environment, and assessing children’s progress. Many states require a CDA or higher to qualify, and some roles may also require experience or additional coursework in curriculum and development.

Head Start or Early Head Start Teacher

Education required: Associate or bachelor’s degree in ECE (some programs may only require a CDA)

Average salary: $40,913 with a bachelor’s degree and $33,566 with an associate (Urban Institute)

Head Start teachers work in federally funded programs focused on school readiness and family engagement. Roles often include home visits, data tracking, and collaboration with family support teams. Credentials and pay vary based on funding and location.

Kindergarten / Early Elementary Teacher

Education required: Bachelor’s degree + state teaching credential

Average salary: $62,310/year (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

These are licensed teaching positions in public or private schools. In addition to core teaching duties, educators at this level often participate in IEP meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and standardized assessment. Some roles focus on early intervention or special education and may require a specialization.

If you teach in a public school setting, these roles often come with strong benefits—like retirement plans, health insurance, school-year schedules, and paid holidays—that typically aren’t available in private child care programs.

Leadership Roles

If you're ready to take on more responsibility—or step out of the classroom entirely—these roles focus on guiding teams, managing programs, and shaping the quality of care across your center or organization.

Requirements for leadership roles vary by state. In some settings, a CDA and experience may be enough to get started. But the more education you have, the more competitive you’ll be for higher-paying positions.

Assistant Director / Site Supervisor

Education required: CDA with experience, associate degree or higher
Average salary: $42K - $70K/yr (Glassdoor)

Assistant directors help manage daily operations, mentor teachers, support families, and occasionally step into the classroom. It’s a hands-on leadership role that blends supervision with teamwork.

Program Director / Center Director / Administrator

Education required: CDA with experience, associate degree or higher
Average salary: $51K - $82K/yr (Glassdoor)

Directors oversee everything from licensing and staffing to curriculum and budgeting. They’re responsible for program quality, compliance, and team management.

Early Childhood Coach / Trainer / College Instructor

Education required: Bachelor’s or master’s degree
Average salary: Varies widely

These roles involve mentoring other educators, leading professional development, or teaching college-level courses in ECE. They're often a next step for experienced teachers who want to support the field on a broader scale.

Family-Facing Roles

If you're drawn to supporting children and the people raising them, there are meaningful career paths that focus on working directly with families. These roles often happen outside the classroom—in homes, in the community, or through support services.

Requirements vary by setting, but most of these jobs build on early childhood education experience and often require a CDA, associate degree, or additional training in family engagement or social services.

Nanny / In-Home Child Care Provider

Education required: Entry-level training or CDA (not always required but recommended)
Average salary: $16–22/hour (Care.com)

Nannies and home-based caregivers offer personalized child care, often with flexible hours and strong relationships with the families they support. While many positions don’t legally require credentials, completing early childcare courses can improve job prospects and pay.

Home Visitor (Head Start or Community-Based)

Education required: CDA or associate degree (often with a family studies or infant/toddler focus)
Average salary: $43K - $63K/y (Glassdoor)

Home visitors work with families in their homes to support child development, parenting skills, and school readiness. These roles are often part of Head Start or other early intervention programs and involve developmental screenings, goal-setting, and connecting families with resources.

Family Services Coordinator / Social Services Specialist

Education required: Associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, social work, or human development
Average salary: $42K - $61K/yr (Glassdoor)

These positions focus on helping families access support services—like housing, food, or child care assistance—through community-based organizations or Head Start programs. While they’re not licensed social workers, the roles often overlap with case management and require strong communication and advocacy skills.

Parent Educator

Education required: CDA, associate degree, or adult education/family engagement training
Average salary: Varies 

These educators lead parenting classes, workshops, or play-based groups at libraries, community centers, or nonprofits. Topics often include child development, behavior guidance, and family bonding. Many facilitators are experienced early educators who pivot into adult-facing work to support caregivers more directly.

Ready to Take the Next Step? Start Here.

Whether you want to grow into a lead teaching role, support families more directly, or move into leadership, there’s a path that fits your goals—and your schedule.

At ProSolutions Training, you’ll find early childcare courses that meet state requirements, help you earn your CDA, and build toward long-term career growth. All online. All self-paced. All designed for people already working in the field.