Head Start Pay Parity Program
Your path to credentials and degrees
NOTE: Early Head Start Applicants should apply through the “Infant Toddler Pay Parity” Program. Please visit the Infant Toddler Pay Parity site for more information and links to apply.
About the Program
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) Head Start Pay Parity Program provides pay parity to early childhood educators. The program is designed to recognize the lived experiences of early childhood educators and provide pay parity comparable to teachers working in a public-school setting. Qualification requirements for Payment Incentive and Scholarship programs are established by ECECD. All program awards are subject to funding availability. NOTE: As of 10/1/24, we are still accepting applications for Head Start Parity but we are approaching funding limits.
NOTE: Qualified applicants can apply for only one parity incentive program. Individuals who are participating in the Head Start Pay Parity program are not able to apply for Pre-K Pay Parity, Infant Toddler Pay Parity or Wage Supplement. Qualified applicants can still apply for the Scholarship, Bilingual Incentive and/or the Early Childhood Network programs.
To qualify for Head Start Parity, educators must:
- work in a Head Start classroom as either a Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher OR
- work full-time as an Administrator (Director, Assistant Director, or Manager) and have direct supervision and support of the Head Start program.
- Only one Administrator per site may apply for Parity.
- meet the education and work requirements listed below
ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE: Qualified Head Start Pay Parity applicants can receive an annual (per application cycle) stipend of $1,000 when they upload a copy of their Special Education license, Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IECMH) or Montessori (AMI, AMS, MACTE, IMI) Certificate.
Education/Work Requirements
Individuals who meet the above requirements will be assigned a category, depending upon their education and work experience.
- Category 1: Bachelor’s Degree with 0-3 year’s work experience
- Category 2: Bachelor’s Degree with more than 3 year’s work experience
- Category 3: Master’s or Doctorate Degree with at least five year’s work experience
All qualifying work experience must be in NM.
| Category | Parity Rate | Education Requirements | Experience* Requirements *All early childhood teaching experience counts as experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Teachers | |||
| Category 1 | $40,000 | CDC or CDA (Note: CDA Equivalency does not qualify) | 3+ years’ experience |
| Category 2 | $45,000 | Associates in ECE | 0-3 years’ experience |
| Category 3 | $50,000 | Associates in ECE | 3+ years’ experience |
| Lead Teachers/Administrators | |||
| Category 4 | $55,000 | Bachelor’s in ECE | 0-3 years’ experience |
| Category 5 | $66,000 | Bachelor’s in ECE OR Other Bachelor’s Degree |
3+ years’ experience |
| Category 6 | $77,000 | Master’s Degree | 5 years’ experience |
| Additional Incentive | |||
| Incentive | $1,000 | Qualified Head Start Pay Parity applicants can receive an annual (per application cycle) stipend of $1,000 when they upload a copy of their Special Education license, Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IECMH) or Montessori (AMI, AMS, MACTE, IMI) Certificate. | |
Pay Parity Award Information
Applications for Head Start Pay Parity will be accepted beginning August 15, 2024 through May 15, 2025. Parity checks will be issued September 2024 through June 2025.
When you apply for the Pay Parity program, you will need to provide your yearly salary amount. The Pay Parity Program will pay the difference between the Category amount and your yearly salary. This amount will be divided into equal payments paid each month from the time you apply through June 2025. The rates listed above are for full-time (32+ hours/week) educators.
Payment Examples:
- Example One for Applicant Qualified by September 15: An educator is identified as “Category 4”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. This person makes $50,000 per year. $55,000 (Category 4) – $50,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $5,000 / 10 = $500 per month for every month you qualify. Sept through June = 10 payments * $500 = $5,000 total
- Example Two for Applicant Qualified by September 15 and with Additional Incentive: An educator is identified as “Category 4”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. They also have an Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IECMH). This person makes $50,000 per year. $55,000 (Category 4) – $50,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $5,000 / 10 = $500 per month for every month you qualify. Sept through June = 10 payments * $500 = $5,000 total. They will also receive a $1,000 lump sum additional incentive payment.
- Example Three for Applicant Qualified by January 15: An educator is identified as “Category 4”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. This person makes $50,000 per year. $55,000 (Category 4) – $50,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $5,000 / 10 = $500 per month for every month you qualify. January through June = 6 payments * $500 = $3,000 total
- Example Four for Applicant Qualified by November 15: An educator is identified as “Category 5”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and have 5 years of teaching experience in ECE. This person makes $58,000 per year. $66,000 (Category 5) – $58,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $8,000 / 10 = $800 per month for every month you qualify. November through June = 8 payments * $800 = $6,400 total
To qualify for your monthly Parity Payments, you will need to submit a qualifying report each month. This report is a part of your application.
- Each month you will be reminded to complete your report.
- You will need to provide a copy of your most recent check stub. Your check stub needs to show hours worked for the month you submit your report. For Example, if you are submitting your report for November, your check stub needs to show hours worked in November.
- Your report is due by the 15th of each month.
- Monthly payments will be issued AFTER we have received your report for the month.
Important Info
You must have a CNM W9 Form on file with CNM before any payments can be issued. The Program Team will contact you if we need your W9 or to verify your information on file is current. Please contact us if you have changed your name, your address, or your banking information.
It is your responsibility to pay taxes on any Pay Parity payments. Taxes will not be withheld from the payments you receive. Head Start Parity payments will affect the taxes you pay each year.
Any qualified applicant who receives pay over $600 per calendar year will receive a 1099-MISC from CNMI. This is a requirement by the Internal Revenue Service. This information should be recorded on the 1099-MISC on your tax returns. You should contact a tax consultant to confirm how these are handled. We cannot provide tax guidance. Please contact your tax preparer for help.
CNM does offer a Tax Help service. Please click here for more information.