Early Childhood Educator.
Billings.
$31,000
median salary, 14% below the national average
$24,000 to $40,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Early Childhood Educator pay in Billings ranges from $24,000 to $40,000 in 2026. The median is $31,000, 14% below the national average. Billings is Montana's largest city and economic hub, driven by energy, agriculture, and healthcare. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $28,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$20,000
to $25,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$26,000
to $33,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$34,000
to $40,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$39,000
to $48,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $9,000 to the total package.
Base
$31,000
Equity
$5,000
Bonus
$3,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $40,000
How Billings compares
Billings, MT
$31,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$36,000
Billings is $5,000 below
Early Childhood Educator salary by city
Salary by role in Billings
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Early Childhood Educator offer in Billings, understand the terrain. Billings is Montana's largest city and economic hub, driven by energy, agriculture, and healthcare. The city serves as a regional center for the Northern Plains. Remote work has brought a wave of tech professionals seeking Montana's quality of life, gradually diversifying the local job market. State licensing requirements, degree level, and program type create significant pay differences. Educators with bachelor's degrees working in public pre-K programs earn 30 to 50% more than those with associate degrees at private daycare centers. Unionized programs and Head Start offer higher wages.
Entry-level Early Childhood Educators earn $28,000 to $32,000. Experienced educators with CDA or associate degrees reach $34,000 to $40,000. Lead Teachers with bachelor's degrees earn $40,000 to $50,000, while Center Directors command $48,000 to $65,000 depending on program size. In Billings, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 11% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Benefits vary widely. Public pre-K teachers receive health insurance and pension benefits adding $10,000 to $20,000 in value. Private childcare workers often receive minimal benefits. Some states offer wage supplements of $1,500 to $3,000 through quality improvement programs. And on the tax side: montana has a top income tax rate of 5.9% but no state sales tax. Billings has no city income tax. The no sales tax benefit helps offset the state income tax. When someone quotes you $31,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work arrangements. Billings employers are increasingly open to remote and hybrid setups to attract talent from larger metros. The range for Early Childhood Educators in Billings runs from $24,000 to $40,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Pharmacy Technician in Billings earns $32,000 (3% more)
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Common questions.
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Other salaries in Billings
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