Pre-K Pay Parity Information
Pre-K Pay Parity for early childhood educators
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
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About the Program
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) Pre-K Pay Parity Program provides pay parity for early childhood educators working in community-based Pre-K programs. The program recognizes the experience of Pre-K educators and aims to ensure their pay is more comparable to Pre-K teachers working in public schools. ECECD sets all qualification requirements for 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 Pre-K Pay Parity Program, you cannot apply for Infant Toddler Pay Parity, Head Start Pay Parity, or the Wage Supplement. You can still apply for the Scholarship, Bilingual Incentive, and/or Early Childhood Network programs.
Who Qualifies for Pre-K Pay Parity
To qualify for Pre-K Pay Parity, educators must:
- Work in an NM Pre-K Grant classroom in a community-based program as a Lead Teacher or Assistant Teacher, OR
- Work full-time as an Administrator (Director or Assistant Director) in a community-based program and directly supervise or support the NM Pre-K Grant program
- Only one Administrator per site may apply
- Meet the education and work requirements listed below
Incentive
Qualified Pre-K Pay Parity applicants may receive a $1,000 annual stipend (once 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 a NM Pre-K classroom.
| Category | Parity Rate | Education Requirements | Experience* Requirements *All early childhood teaching experience counts as experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Teachers | |||
| Category 1 | $40,000 | NM Pre-K does not qualify for Category 1 | |
| Category 2 | $45,000 | Associates in ECE | 0-3 years’ experience |
| Category 3 | $50,000 | Associates in ECE | 3+ years’ experience |
| Lead Teachers/Directors | |||
| Category 4 | $55,000 | NM Pre-K does not qualify for Category 4* | |
| *Per state regulations, NM Pre-K teachers must make at least $55,000 paid by their program. | |||
| 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 Pre-K Pay Parity applicants can receive an annual 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.
Pre-K Pay Parity Award Information
Applications for the Pre-K Pay Parity Program are accepted August 15th through May 15th. Parity payments are issued September through June.
When you apply, you must report your yearly salary.
Community-based NM Pre-K teachers must be paid at least $55,000 per year by their program. The Pre-K Pay Parity Program pays the difference between your salary and the Category pay amount. This difference is divided into equal monthly payments from the month you apply through June 2026.
The posted rates apply to full-time educators (32 or more hours per week).
Payment Examples:
- Example One for Applicant Qualified by September 15: An educator is identified as “Category 5”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. This person makes $60,000 per year. $66,000 (Category 5) – $60,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $6,000 / 10 = $600 per month for every month you qualify. Sept through June = 10 payments * $600 = $6,000 total
- Example Two for Applicant Qualified by September 15 and with Additional Incentive: An educator is identified as “Category 5”. 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 $60,000 per year. $66,000 (Category 5) – $60,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $6,000 / 10 = $600 per month for every month you qualify. Sept through June = 10 payments * $600 = $6,000 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 5”. They have a Bachelor’s Degree in ECE and have 3 years of teaching experience in ECE. This person makes $60,000 per year. $66,000 (Category 5) – $60,000 (Annual Yearly Salary) = $6,000 / 10 = $600 per month for every month you qualify. January through June = 6 payments * $600 = $3,600 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
- 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 received
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.