Often overlooked in discussions related to how to ensure accessible and affordable high-quality early childhood education is the heavy burden that has been carried by the early childhood workforce; the data reveal a level of exploitation of this workforce that must be considered and addressed. This chapter will focus attention on the economic realities of the early childhood workforce as a key element to achieve equitable access to affordable high-quality early childhood services. [For the complete volume, "African American Children in Early Childhood Education: Making the Case for Policy Investments in Families, Schools, and Communities. Advances in Race and Ethnicity in Education. Volume 5," see ED663675.]