ECECD Wage Supplemental Pay Program Information

Education based supplemental wages

Horas de Oficina en Español

Las Horas de Oficina en español ahora están disponibles cada jueves y viernes, la primera semana de cada mes, desde las 11 hasta las 12, para brindar respuestas y consejos con respecto a todos los programas de ECECD y ECN. Haga clic aquí para entrar a le reunión: Reunión por Zoom

Nota: Estas horas de oficina son para los hispanohablantes solamente – los anglohablantes deben continuar a contactar a la línea principal o a su asesor directamente.

Click here to apply for the Wage Supplement Program

 

Please note that due to the change of the state fiscal year on June 30, Wage Supplement applicants approved after January 15, 2026, will receive a prorated partial payment in June 2026 based on the number of monthly reports they have completed at that time. Contingent on FY27 appropriations from the New Mexico Legislature, applicants who continue to qualify will receive an additional payment at the end of their reporting cycle for the balance of their Wage Supplement award.

About the Program

The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) Wage Supplement Program provides education-based supplemental pay to early childhood educators and home care professionals who work with children from birth to age five. The program includes 10 levels, and the amount you receive increases with each level of education. ECECD sets all qualification requirements, and all awards depend on available funding.

The program is open to educators and home care professionals who work at least 20 hours per week in New Mexico at one of the following:

  • Licensed or registered early care and education programs
  • Tribal child care programs
  • ECECD-funded PreK or Early PreK programs in community-based settings
  • NM PreK or Early PreK programs run by public or charter schools, including Title I or 619 Preschool Programs
  • NM Head Start or Early Head Start programs
  • NM Tribal Head Start or Early Head Start programs
  • ECECD-funded New Mexico Home Visiting or Family Infant Toddler Programs
  • ECECD-funded Early Childhood Coalition programs
Additional Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Have at least three (3) credit hours in Early Childhood Education or a CDA
  • Earn less than $18 per hour
  • Work with children ages 0–5 (birth through Pre-K)
  • All applicants must submit an employment verification letter written on letterhead that includes:
    • Your name
    • Job title
    • Ages of children you work with
    • Hours worked per week
    • Hourly pay rate
    • Signed and dated by your supervisor
    • Your supervisor’s contact information

To stay qualified, you must submit monthly reports. Missing two monthly reports in a row will result in your application being denied.  

Note: You may receive only one payment incentive at a time. If you participate in the Wage Supplement Program, you cannot apply for Pre-K Pay Parity, Head Start Pay Parity, or Infant Toddler Pay Parity. You can still apply for the Scholarship, Bilingual Incentive, and Early Childhood Network programs.

If you do not have the required three (3) credit hours in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or CDA, you must show proof of enrollment in ECE courses, or your application will be denied. You may reapply once you enroll.

Supplemental Pay Award Information

You may apply for the Wage Supplement Program at any time. You receive your supplement payment in the month after your 6-month qualification period.

Examples:

  • If you apply in September and meet all requirements for 6 months, you will receive a payment in March.
  • If you apply in February, you will receive a payment in August after meeting requirements for 6 months.

At the end of each 6-month cycle, you may submit a new application to restart the process.

If you become ineligible at any point, you can reapply once you meet the requirements again.

Payments are based on a flat-fee scale determined by:

  • Whether you work part-time (20–31 hours/week) or full-time (32+ hours/week)
  • Your education level
Education Requirements

The Wage Supplement Program is based on educational progress.

  • Levels 1–4: You must continue earning credentials or degrees to move to the next level.
  • Level 5 and above: You are encouraged, but not required, to continue coursework.
  • The ECECD Scholarship Program can help you earn the credits or degrees needed.
     (Click here for Scholarship Program information.)

If you do not yet have 3 Early Childhood Education credit hours or a CDA, you must show proof of enrollment in at least 3 credit hours of ECE coursework.

Levels and Requirements

Level 1

  • 3 Early Childhood Education credits OR CDA
  • At level one you must earn 12 credits within 2 years to move to Level 2
  • Applicants without credits or a CDA must include a class schedule showing enrollment in a 3-credit-hour course
  • Maximum of 2 years at Level 1

Level 2

  • 12 Early Childhood credits, or CDC or IFS Certificate
  • Maximum of 2 years at Level 2

Level 3

  • 24 Early Childhood Education credits toward a degree
  • Maximum of 4 years at Level 3

Level 4

  • 48 Early Childhood Education credits toward a degree
  • Maximum of 4 years at Level 4

Levels 5–10

No time limit to move through these levels.

  • Level 5: 60 credits or an Associate Degree
  • Level 6: 75 Early Childhood Education credits
  • Level 7: 90 Early Childhood Education credits
  • Level 8: 105 Early Childhood Education credits
  • Level 9: 120 Early Childhood Education credits
  • Level 10: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
 

Important Information

W9 Requirement
  • You must have a CNM W9 Form on file before any payments can be issued.
  • The Program Team will contact you if your W9 is missing or needs updating.
  • Please contact us if your name, address, or banking information changes.
Taxes
  • You are responsible for paying taxes on your Pay Parity payments. Taxes are not withheld from the payments you receive. These payments may affect your yearly tax amount.
  • Any applicant who receives more than $600 in a calendar year will receive a 1099-MISC from CNMI, as required by the IRS.
  • Please speak with a tax consultant to understand how to report this income. We cannot give tax advice.
  • CNM offers a Tax Help service. Click here for more information.