Early Childhood Educator Salary in Melbourne (2026)

Last updated

Early Childhood Educators in Melbourne earn a median salary of $72,036 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $60,000 and $80,000. That sits 21% below Melbourne's all-roles median of $91,520. Figures are based on 31 jobs advertised on Seek.com.au in Melbourne in the last 30 days.

— Moderate demand 48th percentile by listing volume in Melbourne ↑ +5 listings vs last month
💰 Early Childhood Educator · Melbourne
ADVERTISED RANGE
$60,000 – $80,000
Median: $72,036
Apr $62k
May $72k
↑ Trending up

Based on 2-month data — short-term movement only.

Mid level $60,000 – $80,000
Overall $60k–$80k Mid $60k–$80k $58k $63k $67k $72k $77k $82k
Moderate confidence 31 listings (+5 vs last month) · 01/06/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from advertised employer bands on Seek.com.au. Figures represent what employers publicly advertise and may differ from actual compensation.

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Bottom 10%  $60,000 Median  $72,036 $80,000  Top 10%

Understanding the Melbourne Market

Early Childhood Educators in Melbourne earned $72,036 in May, up $9,536 from April, with 31 listings (up 5). The $9,536 increase is notable: the Australian government's early educator pay uplift announced in 2024 continues to flow through to advertised salaries, and Melbourne's data appears to be reflecting this more strongly in May. At 21% below Melbourne's all-roles median, this is still below market, but the pay trajectory is improving.

Take Home Pay (based on median $72,036)

Weekly (net)
~$1,091
Monthly (net)
~$4,726
Annual (net)
~$56,717
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $80,320

Take-home calculated using 2025-26 ATO tax rates, no HECS debt, full Australian residency. Total package adds 11.5% superannuation to base salary. Adjust for your situation →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good starting salary for a junior Early Childhood Educator in Melbourne?
Entry-level Early Childhood Educators in Melbourne earn $60,000 to $72,036 at the mid level. A Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is the minimum entry qualification, and the ACECQA framework governs progression from Certificate III to Diploma-qualified educator pay bands.
Is $72,036 a good salary in Melbourne?
At $72,036 and 21% below Melbourne's all-roles median, this is below market. The $9,536 increase from April is a positive sign of improving pay in this sector. Early Childhood Teachers in Melbourne earn $91,520, confirming the Diploma-to-degree qualification gap is financially significant.
How much does a Senior Early Childhood Educator make in Melbourne?
Early Childhood Educators in Melbourne cap around $80,000 at the p90. Progressing to a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care unlocks the Early Childhood Teacher classification, which pays $91,520 in Melbourne, a $19,484 median improvement. That qualification investment is financially justified within two to three years of post-qualification earnings.

Other roles in Melbourne

Early Childhood Educator salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Melbourne
Melbourne (this page) $72,036 —
Sydney $62,500 -13%

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Data sourced from publicly listed job advertisements. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Seek or any third-party platforms. Salary ranges represent advertised figures and may differ from actual compensation. Updated monthly.