When considering where early childhood teachers are paid the most, five countries stand out based on OECD data and other reports. These countries offer competitive salaries to attract and retain quality educators, which is crucial for ensuring high standards in early childhood education.
- Luxembourg: Luxembourg consistently ranks at the top for teacher salaries across all levels of education. Early childhood educators with 15 years of experience can earn over $109,000 annually. This high level of compensation reflects the country’s commitment to quality education and its recognition of teachers’ critical role in child development (World Economic Forum) (Site homepage).
- Germany: Germany is another country where early childhood teachers are well-compensated. Salaries for experienced teachers can reach up to $90,970. The country uses a tiered pay scale based on experience, with significant salary increases over time, ensuring that teachers’ earnings grow as they gain more experience (World Population Review).
- Switzerland: In Switzerland, early childhood educators also enjoy high salaries. Starting salaries can be around $60,948, with the potential to rise to $92,671 or more for those with extensive experience. The Swiss education system values the role of teachers highly, reflected in their substantial salaries and good working conditions (World Population Review).
- Norway: Norway offers competitive pay for early childhood educators, with salaries comparable to other high-paying countries. The country focuses on the importance of early childhood education and invests heavily in its educators to maintain high standards. This investment is evident in the relatively high salaries and comprehensive benefits provided to teachers (Site homepage).
- Denmark: Denmark is known for its robust early childhood education system, and this extends to teacher compensation. Early childhood educators can earn between $54,130 and $62,301 annually, which is on par with Australia. Denmark’s approach to education includes significant public investment, ensuring that teachers are well-compensated and supported in their roles (World Population Review) (Site homepage).
What About Australian ECT Salaries?
In Australia, early childhood teachers (ECTs) also receive competitive salaries, though they are generally lower than those in the top-paying countries. According to recent data, Australian ECTs can expect to earn between AUD $60,000 and AUD $85,000 annually, depending on their level of experience and the state they work in (Site homepage). In some cases, ECT earn more based on VECTEA award, with experience and moving through different levels. While this is a respectable salary, it highlights the disparity between Australia and the highest-paying countries, emphasising the need for continued investment in early childhood education to attract and retain top talent.
To provide a clearer picture of these salaries, here is a Sankey diagram comparing the average annual salaries of early childhood educators in these five countries:
