Head Start Pay Parity Program
Your path to credentials and degrees
- Head Start Parity Application
- Education Work Requirements
- HS Pay Parity Award Information
- Important Information
- Announcements and Deadlines
- Helpful Resources
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.
About the Program
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) Head Start Pay Parity Program provides pay parity for early childhood educators. The program is designed to recognize educators’ experience and ensure their pay is comparable to that of teachers working in public schools. ECECD sets the qualification requirements for all Payment Incentive and Scholarship programs, and all awards depend on available funding.
Note: Qualified applicants may apply for only one parity incentive program.
If you participate in the Head Start Pay Parity Program, you cannot apply for Pre-K Pay Parity, Infant Toddler Pay Parity, or the Wage Supplement.
You can still apply for the Scholarship, Bilingual Incentive, and Early Childhood Network programs.
Who Qualifies for Head Start Pay Parity
To qualify, educators must:
- Work in a Head Start classroom as a Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher
- Work full-time as an Administrator (Director, Assistant Director, or Manager) who directly supervises and supports the Head Start program
- Only one Administrator per site may apply
- Meet the education and work requirements listed below
Additional Incentive
- Qualified applicants may receive a $1,000 annual stipend (per application cycle) if they upload one of the following:
- Special Education License
- Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IECMH)
- Montessori Certificate (AMI, AMS, MACTE, IMI)
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 or higher in ECE (effective as of 2/5/2026) |
0-3 years’ experience |
| Category 3 | $50,000 | Associates or higher in ECE (effective as of 2/5/2026) |
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. | |
Foreign Degrees
- Foreign degrees are accepted but must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
- A resource for evaluation: Education Credential Evaluation
- The program does not reimburse evaluation costs.
Pay Parity Award Information
Applications for the Head Start Pay Parity Program are accepted August 15, 2025 – May 15, 2026. Parity payments are issued September 2025 – June 2026.
When you apply, you must report your yearly salary. The Pay Parity Program pays the difference between your reported salary and the Category amount. This difference is divided into monthly payments issued from the date you apply through June 2026. The listed rates apply to full-time educators (32+ hours/week).
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
Monthly Reporting Requirements
- To receive your monthly payments, you must submit a qualifying report each month
- You will receive a reminder to complete your monthly report
- Once your monthly report is processed, we are not able to give a specific payment date
- You must upload a recent check stub showing hours worked during the month you are reporting
- Example: A November report must include a check stub showing hours worked in November
- Reports are due by the 15th of each month
- Monthly payments are issued after your report is processed
Important Info
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.