From Turnover to Stability: How ECE Salary Scales Drive Retention and Equity

Early childhood educators are the foundation of quality programs—yet high turnover, wage inequity, and inconsistent compensation remain persistent challenges across the field. This webinar examines how structured salary scales can transform ECE workforce stability by creating transparent, equitable pathways for teacher compensation.

Designed for program directors, administrators, and early education leaders, this session pairs the evidence on fair pay structures with practical, immediately applicable guidance for building a salary scale—whether you're starting from scratch or refining an existing structure—along with realistic strategies for funding it over time.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the research linking structured salary scales to improved teacher retention, reduced turnover costs, and greater pay equity across race, gender, and credential levels.

2. Design a draft salary scale framework for their own program, including credential- and experience-based steps and transparent placement criteria.

3. Identify at least three funding strategies — including grants, public investments, and blended financing — to sustain competitive compensation over time.