Early Childhood Education Degree in Salem, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Early Childhood Education degree analysis for Salem, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$60K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$54K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Salem
Cost of Living
120
index (100 = avg)
Early Childhood Education in Salem, OR Overview
Salem, Oregon (pop. 175,535) has 14 colleges offering Early Childhood Education programs. The local cost of living index of 120 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,384/month. Early Childhood Education enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Child Development and Play-Based Learning. The adjusted starting salary in Salem is approximately $60,000.
Category
Education
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,943/yr
Private Tuition
$46,250/yr
Room & Board
$15,380/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,172/yr
Unemployment
5.4%
Graduation Rate
57%
Early Childhood Education Salary in Salem (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salem's cost of living index of 120 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Early Childhood Education salary: $50,000 starting, $45,000 mid-career, $52,000 senior level.Salem adjustment factor: 1.20x based on the local cost of living index.
Early Childhood Education ROI Calculator for Salem
Estimate your return on investment for a Early Childhood Education degree using local Salem tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,943 | Private avg: $46,250
Salem avg aid: $14,172/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$113,292
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,000
vs HS diploma in Salem
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salem
$102,708
Lifetime earnings premium ($216,000) minus total education cost ($113,292)
Student Loan Payoff for Early Childhood Education in Salem
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salem for Early Childhood Education
Willamette University
private
$46,250/yr
$185,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Chemeketa Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Early Childhood Education in Salem
Salem offers opportunities in School districts, Universities, EdTech companies for Early Childhood Education graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salem Hiring Sectors for Education
School districts
Universities
EdTech companies
Non-profits
Training organizations
Common Early Childhood Education Job Titles
Early Childhood Education in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Medford, OR
$56K starting · COL 111
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Education Majors in Salem
Instructional Design & Technology
$60K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Educational Psychology
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Higher Education Administration
$60K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Elementary Education
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Special Education
$60K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Music Education
$60K starting · 6 yr ROI
Physical Education
$60K starting · 5 yr ROI
Education
$0 starting · 0 yr ROI
Early Childhood Education Degree in Salem — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Early Childhood Education ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Salem.