Early Childhood Educator Salary in Sydney (2026)

Last updated

Early Childhood Educators in Sydney earn a median salary of $70,000 in 2026, with most advertised roles falling between $59,500 and $85,400. That sits 26% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000. Figures are based on 30 jobs advertised in Sydney in the last 30 days.

● Moderate demand 43th percentile by listing volume in Sydney ↑ +2 listings vs last month
💰 Early Childhood Educator · Sydney
ADVERTISED RANGE
$59,500 – $85,400
Median: $70,000
Jun $80k
Jul $70k
↓ Trending down

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

Mid level $59,000 – $85,000
Overall $59k–$85k Mid $59k–$85k $57k $63k $69k $75k $81k $87k
Moderate confidence 30 listings (+2 vs last month) · 02/08/2026

Salary ranges are percentiles calculated from 30 job listings for this role and city, 96.8% sourced from Seek.com.au and the rest from government job boards and employer career sites. Of those, 22.6% stated a salary directly. The remaining 77.4% carried a range estimated from the listing, so this median blends advertised and estimated pay. Figures represent what employers advertise and may differ from actual compensation. Fewer than a quarter of these listings stated a salary, so the median leans heavily on estimates.

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Bottom 10%  $59,500 Median  $70,000 $85,400  Top 10%

Understanding the Sydney Market

The median fell $10,000 to $70,000, a 12.5% drop that puts Sydney well behind Melbourne at $76,000. Listings were flat at 30 against 28, so this is a repricing rather than a demand shift. Only 23% of listings stated a salary, so a fall this size off 30 listings should be treated as directional. The number that frames this page is $95,000, which is what early childhood teachers earn in the same city.

Take Home Pay (based on median $70,000)

Weekly (net)
~$1,065
Monthly (net)
~$4,615
Annual (net)
~$55,383
Total package (incl. 2025-26 super at 11.5%) $78,050

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 Sydney?
Entry is $59,000, typically a Certificate III qualified assistant educator working to ratio. The move up comes with a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and room leadership. First aid, anaphylaxis and child protection certification are assumed rather than differentiating.
Is $70,000 a good salary in Sydney?
No. At $70,000 an early childhood educator earns 26.3% below Sydney's all-roles median of $95,000, with take-home near $1,065 a week against the highest living costs in this report. Melbourne pays $6,000 more at lower cost. The structural issue is the $25,000 gap to the teaching qualification.
How much does a Senior Early Childhood Educator make in Sydney?
The ceiling is $85,000, which sits below where early childhood teacher pay begins at $81,000 only marginally, so the bands nearly meet. Room leadership and educational leader roles are what reach it. The bachelor qualification taking you to $95,000 is the only step that changes the band structurally.

Other roles in Sydney

Early Childhood Educator salaries in other cities

City Median salary vs Sydney
Sydney (this page) $70,000 0%
Melbourne $76,032 +9%

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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.