What does a kindergarten teacher earn in 2025?

Salary for kindergarten teachers in 2025

Kindergarten teachers play a very important role in society. They lay the foundation for children's well-being, development, and early learning experiences. But what can you expect to earn as a kindergarten teacher in 2025? And what factors affect the salary?

The average salary for kindergarten teachers

According to updated figures from Statistics Norway in 2025, the average annual salary for kindergarten teachers is about 548,000 kroner before tax. This corresponds to approximately 45,700 kroner in monthly salary. The figures reflect a permanent full-time position and do not include any additional compensation for inconvenient working hours or extra responsibilities.

These salary figures are statistics from Statistics Norway and provide a good picture of the salary level for kindergarten teachers today.

What affects the salary level?

While the average salary gives a good indication, the actual salary will vary from person to person. The following factors are significant:

• Seniority: The salary increases gradually with the number of years in the profession, and there are specific salary step agreements in the public sector.
• Workplace: The salary can vary between municipal and private kindergartens, as well as between different regions in the country.
• Further education and additional competencies: Qualified teachers with special expertise or leadership responsibilities may have higher salaries than colleagues without additional education.
• Percentage of employment: A permanent full-time position naturally provides the highest annual salary, while part-time positions result in lower salary payments.

Salary development in recent years

Incomes for kindergarten teachers have, like many other professions, seen a steady increase in recent years. If we compare with 2022, the average salary has increased by around 5-7%. This is due to both general settlements in the public sector and increased focus on recruitment and recognition of kindergarten teachers' expertise.

With expected inflation and salary adjustments, kindergarten teachers will also have a steady salary development in the coming years.

Differences between public and private sectors

The vast majority of kindergarten teachers are employed in the public sector, often in municipal kindergartens. Public kindergartens follow collective agreements that ensure predictable salary development, regulated in the main collective agreement. Here, the salary will increase according to specific steps, depending on years of service and any additional tasks.

In private kindergartens, however, there may be slightly greater variation, and some private entities offer competitive terms to attract or retain skilled educators.

Leadership positions and special competencies

Kindergarten teachers who have taken on leadership roles, such as pedagogical leaders or directors, have a higher salary level. Here, the salary can vary from 580,000 to well over 650,000 kroner, depending on areas of responsibility, additional education, and the size of the kindergarten.

Further education in special education, guidance, or management can also contribute to salary increases, as well as opening doors for more professional development.

Salary compared to other educational professions

Kindergarten teachers earn somewhat less than primary school teachers but are about on par with other skilled workers with similar lengths of education. However, no other educational professions have the same close role in children's upbringing and development, and many point to meaningful work as a very important motivation in the profession.

Is there a shortage of kindergarten teachers?

As of 2025, the kindergarten sector still reports challenges in recruiting enough qualified kindergarten teachers, especially in rural areas. This means that there are good job opportunities for those who want to work with children and education. You can easily get an overview of available positions on Lønna.no, where you will also find updated salary information for various positions and employers.

Benefits and perks beyond salary

While salary is certainly important, the kindergarten teaching profession also comes with other benefits. Many believe that the best aspect is the combination of fixed working hours, varied tasks, and meaningful work with children. In addition, most positions offer:

• Good pension and insurance schemes
• Paid further education and training opportunities
• Stable working days, often with flexible holidays
• A supportive work environment and opportunities for skill development

How to apply for a job as a kindergarten teacher

Are you considering a career as a kindergarten teacher, or are you looking for new challenges? On Lønna.no you will find updated job listings, salary data, and tools for writing a good CV and job application that showcase your personality and professional quality. You can also keep track of your own application processes and compare salary offers from different employers.

Summary: What does a kindergarten teacher earn in 2025?

Kindergarten teachers earn an average of around 548,000 kroner a year, but the salary level varies based on experience, education, and responsibility. The profession offers good development opportunities and demand is high, especially in rural areas. With the salary tools available on Lønna.no, you can easily get an overview of job opportunities and what you can earn in your situation.

Source: Statistics Norway - Table 11418: Monthly salary and full-time equivalents in the kindergarten sector