What you’ll need to apply
Completed application
Income verification
Official transcript
Tips for getting your college transcripts
* Official transcripts are printed on special school paper for security purposes. Official transcripts cannot be faxed or altered. WAGE$ cannot accept copies or unofficial transcripts.
The supplement scale
Supplement totals shown reflect full-time hours worked in the classroom. Applicants working less than full-time will receive a prorated amount. All college credit hours must be earned through a regionally accredited institution.
Level
Education Required
Annual Supplement
Level
01*
Education Required
6 credit hours in early childhood education
or
or
Annual Supplement
$600
Level
02*
Education Required
National CDA [course credit or training hours (must show certificate of completion for training CDA)]
or
12 early childhood education credit hours
or
Basics in Early Childhood Technical Certificate
Annual Supplement
$800
Level
03*
Education Required
18 hours early childhood credit hours
or
Infant Toddler Technical Certificate/Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate
or
24 credit hours of general education with at least 12 in early childhood education
Annual Supplement
$1,350
Level
04*
Education Required
36 credit hours of general education plus or including 18 in early childhood education
or
or
Annual Supplement
$2,100
Level
05*
Education Required
50 credit hours of general education plus or including 24 in early childhood education
or
or
Annual Supplement
$2,850
Level
06*
Education Required
60 credit hours of general education plus or including 3 0 in early childhood education
or
or
Annual Supplement
$3,300
Level
07*
Education Required
Bachelor's or Master's Degree with fewer than 12 credit hours in early childhood education
or
or
Annual Supplement
$3,750
Level
07
Education Required
Associate Degree plus or including at least 24 credit hours in early childhood education
or
or
Annual Supplement
$3,750
Level
08
Education Required
90 credits toward Bachelor's Degree plus or including at least 18 credit hours in early childhood education
or
Bachelor's Degree plus or including at least 12 credit hours in early childhood education
or
Annual Supplement
$4,050
Level
09
Education Required
Bachelor's Degree plus or including 18 credit hours in early childhood education
or
Master's Degree plus or including 12 credit hours in early childhood education
or
Annual Supplement
$5,400
Level
10
Education Required
Bachelor's Degree plus or including 30 credit hours in earl childhood education
or
Master's Degree plus or including 24 credit hours in early childhood education
or
Annual Supplement
$7,800
Educators give WAGE$ a gold star
We have a waitlist of around 200 children. It is really hard to tell those families "No" because we don't have the space or staffing capacity. I feel like WAGE$ is a really great recruitment tool for staff. It also gives them an incentive to continue their education and go forth with those dreams they may not have been able to do on their own.
Kristen Cannon
Executive Director
Knoxville, TN
Wages was important for me because it allowed me to give more to the staff. I’ve got teachers that have their bachelors’, and they get over $2,000. That is a very big thing for them—it always seems to come at a time when they really need it.
Karen Whaley
Director
McDonald, TN
Having this little extra money is the difference of working a second job and having my focus 100% on the kids here and not worrying about supplementing my income by working at multiple different jobs.
Stephanie Kolakowski
Educator
Franklin, TN
Not ready to apply?
Don't let your questions keep you from getting a salary supplement. We are here for you, so don't hesitate to reach out via our live chat with questions, comments, or concerns.
Apply to receive up to $7.8k a year
The work you do matters. Get acknowledged now for your education and commitment to the early childhood field.
