When I went to enroll in an early childhood education program at a community college in the state, the advisor straight up told me I was going to be paid poorly and asked me a few times if I was sure. She pushed me to really consider getting to the level where I could be a lead teacher going into any job. At the time she told me to expect about $10/hr starting out. So I would have student loans to be paid back and only be making $10/hr. Things got all screwed up with the classes so I dropped them and was supposed to start the correct classes the next semester but I got a job at a produce market for $9.75/hr which pretty quickly was raised to $14/hr. Then I got into data entry and made $18/hr with incredible insurance and never looked back. I miss working with children but I don't regret turning away from that path.