How much does a early childhood education earn in Quebec?

Roughly $47,000 in the first years and $52,700 by year five (Quebec median, before tax). Source: CPE national agreement 2023-2028 (qualified educator step 1 $25.82, April 2026); IMT 42202 median $24.50/h; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029: déficit.

What does it cost in Quebec?

About $2,600 in tuition and fees; typical debt if you borrow $0. CPE scale at 35 h/week; private garderies pay less. Much better paid than Ontario ECE.

How long does it take?

About 3 years, first real paycheque in about 3 years.

College diploma

Early childhood education

DEC Techniques d'éducation à l'enfance (3 years), éducatrice qualifiée in a CPE

Numbers for 22 of 30 verified for Quebec; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify

Quebec works differently: trades are a nearly free DEP then a CCQ apprenticeship; college is a 3-year DEC at a cégep (tuition-free for residents); university is 3 years after a 2-year pre-university DEC. Numbers from IMT en ligne, CCQ, FIQ scales and the Relance surveys.

Years to credential3

First real paycheque~3 years

Time in a classroom55%

Total cost$2,600

Typical debt after$0

Demand in QuebecHigh

The first ten years

schoolschoolschoolearnearnearnearnearnearnearn

Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

Quebec median before tax. Overtime, location and specialisation change this a lot. Net by year 10 after program cost: $355k, low to high $301k to $409k.

What's in "net by year 10"

Earnings, years 1 to 10	$358k	3 years at $0 while in school, then $47,000 rising to $52,700 by year five, flat after
Program cost	−$3k	tuition and fees
Typical (medians)	$355k	the number on the card
Low to high	$301k to $409k	pay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the Quebec median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isWorking with children under six in daycares and kindergartens; planning play-based learning.

What actually stops peoplePlacements require police checks and immunisation records; otherwise accessible.

The downsideLow pay ceiling despite high demand. Many leave for teaching or move into administration.

If you're the parentGuaranteed jobs thanks to $10-a-day child care expansion, but modest wages. A good base for a teaching degree later.

Local opportunities in Quebec

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Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

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How to enter

What you need

No specific courses or average; Grade 12 (or equivalent) and a willingness to show up

Deadlines in Quebec

SRAM (cégep) March 1 for fall; a DEC takes 2 or 3 years
AFE in spring

Next steps in Quebec

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In QuebecCPE scale at 35 h/week; private garderies pay less. Much better paid than Ontario ECE.

www.quebec.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for Quebec Sources: CPE national agreement 2023-2028 (qualified educator step 1 $25.82, April 2026); IMT 42202 median $24.50/h; MESS Diagnostic 2025-2029: déficit

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