Education Careers to Consider (Payscale and Employment Prospects)

There are several education careers to consider if you studied education in school. There are several employment options available in the subject of education, including teaching, administrative work, and support professions. Finding out additional information regarding the many education careers available is a smart first step in determining what kind of job best fits your skills and professional objectives if you’re passionate about educating and motivating children in their academic endeavors.

This post looks at occupations in education as well as the expected rate of job growth in this industry.

15 occupations in education and the classroom

Choose one of these education careers if you wish to interact with kids one-on-one in the classroom:

1. Teacher’s assistant

National average yearly salary: $18,187

Primary responsibilities: A teacher’s aide in education careers, also referred to as a teaching assistant, assists in keeping an eye on kids during class and other school events. They might also assist with preparing classes, putting up equipment, proctoring exams, giving one-on-one assistance, and grading.

2. A daycare instructor

National average yearly salary: $33,197

Primary responsibilities: Little children, often between the ages of a few months and elementary school, are looked after by a daycare instructor who operates in a childcare center. Daycare instructors in education careers might play games, serve food, conduct brief lessons, or work with toddlers on potty training, depending on the daycare.

3. Sports trainer

National average yearly salary: $41,487

Primary responsibilities: These educators in education careers supervise practice, instruct the teams in the sport, inspire the students throughout practice, and promote physical fitness, a love of exercise, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Coaches could have one team, many teams at various levels in only one sport, or multiple teams at various levels and sports, depending on the school.

4. A preschool educator

National average yearly wage: $46,204

Primary responsibilities: Infants, toddlers, and kids in pre-kindergarten are just a few of the age groups that a preschool teacher deals with. These professionals in education careers may conduct classes that are appropriate for the age group they are teaching, use games and stories to engage students, teach life skills, give toilet training, and teach language abilities.

5. A teacher in an elementary school

National average yearly wage: $48,992

Primary responsibilities: Typically, this instructor in education careers teaches students in one or more grades between preschool and fourth grade. Teachers in elementary schools may instruct students in all topics or the majority of subjects before specializing in one area to divide the workload among several teachers.

6. A physical education instructor

National average yearly wage: $51,420

Primary responsibilities: An educator in education careers, also referred to as a PE teacher, directs groups of pupils in physical activity, instructs them in sports and exercise practices, and encourages wellness and a passion for physical activity. Elementary, middle, and high schools all employ physical education teachers. Some PE instructors may also serve as a coach for a few of the school’s athletic teams.

7. A mathematics instructor

National average yearly wage: $51,505

Primary responsibilities: Depending on the academic level—elementary school, middle school, or high school—this educator teaches students both fundamental and advanced arithmetic concepts. Math teachers in education careers encourage students to solve problems and think analytically by helping them with arithmetic problems, giving and grading assignments, and proctoring exams.

8. An English teacher

National average yearly wage: $51,549

Primary responsibilities: Lessons in language arts, literature, writing, and reading comprehension are normally taught by an English teacher in a middle or high school.

9. Art instructor

National average yearly wage: $52,656

Primary responsibilities: An art teacher in education careers can collaborate with pupils of any grade, and based on the grade levels they teach, they might give lessons in a variety of techniques, assign projects, encourage peer criticism, lead classes on art history and art appreciation, or even accompany students on school trips to art galleries and other places of art.

10. A special education teacher

National average yearly wage: $54,219

Primary responsibilities: Nearly every grade levels have special education teachers who work with pupils who have a variety of learning issues and aptitudes. They are in charge of offering these pupils extra academic support, specific teaching materials, and individualized instruction as necessary. Special education teachers in education careers might oversee a class of students on their own, host several student groups throughout the day, supervise students as they take tests with additional help, or collaborate on lesson plans with teachers in general education.

11. The school librarian

National average yearly wage: $55,398

Primary responsibilities: This educator makes sure that pupils have access to books, journals, and research materials that are appropriate for their age while working in a school library. School librarians in education careers may also employ narratives to guide lectures and demonstrate to students how to perform research properly.

12. An instructor of English as a Second Language (ESL)

National average yearly wage: $57,006

Primary responsibilities: A teacher of English as a second language (ESL) in education careers can operate independently, in almost any school setting, with students of any age, including adults. In addition to teaching courses on English syntax, vocabulary, speaking, and writing, they may also set language practice tasks and projects for their students. They might work one-on-one, in small groups, or bigger classrooms.

13 A Science instructor

National average yearly wage: $63,487

Primary responsibilities: A science teacher in education careers can instruct students in almost any grade level in a wide range of biological and earth sciences. Science instructors at primary, as well as some middle schools, might be in charge of instructing general science, which includes a wide range of specializations. Most people who work in high schools and middle schools elsewhere specialize in one area of science, like chemistry, biology, physics, or earth science.

14. A music educator

National average yearly salary: $69,432

Primary responsibilities: A music teacher in education careers teaches pupils about music history and enjoyment, in addition to how to play an instrument and read music. They might also serve as the band or choir director at some schools.

5 careers in school administration

Many administrative education careers necessitate decades of experience in school or another educational context. Consider applying for one of the following positions if you want to advance your career or specialize in administration:

1. A preschool supervisor

National average yearly salary: $47,269 year.

Primary responsibilities: The hiring, training, and supervision of all staff members, including instructors and teacher’s aides, are the primary responsibilities of a preschool director. Preschool supervisors in education careers might also be in charge of selecting students, implementing laws imposed by the state, handling the facility’s finances, and defining educational requirements.

2. The students’ dean

National average yearly salary: $65,721

Primary responsibilities: Every aspect of a university or college’s student success programs is managed by this university education administrator position. Dean of students in education careers oversees teams that establish admission requirements, manage admission enrollment, create support initiatives, and put in place student-related regulations.

3. The assistant principal

National average yearly salary: $80,106

Primary responsibilities: The management of enrollment, student activities, laws and rules, curriculum creation, academic evaluation, standards, and staffing are all tasks that an assistant principal assists the principal, director, members of the school board, and other school administration with. Assistant principals in education careers might act as a go-between for staff members and other school officials in some institutions.

4. Superintendent

National average yearly salary: $92,386

Primary responsibilities: This school administrator can oversee administrative responsibilities like staffing, budgeting, and meeting federal and state-mandated academic requirements for any size school or full district. Superintendents in education careers develop programs to assist students and staff in achieving these objectives and are devoted to making sure the academic achievement of the district or school.

5. A school principal

National average yearly salary: $110,818

Primary responsibilities: A school principal in education careers is the head of a single high school and is in charge of all administrative duties including budgeting, staffing, training, academic planning, student enrollment, and student rules and regulations.

7 Student Support Jobs

These educators frequently work with kids in unique learning environments or beyond the classroom to give them additional teaching, direction, and support:

1. Academic advisor

National average yearly salary: $43,364

Primary responsibilities: An academic advisor in education careers collaborates with students to choose the courses and other academic opportunities that would best advance their professional objectives. They are in charge of advising on academic goals for graduation, tools for pre-college exams, and information on further learning or trade school classes. In a high school context, they may also be referred to as guidance counselors. An academic adviser in higher education is in charge of assisting students in selecting a major and organizing the courses needed to complete the major.

2. An intervention specialist

National average yearly salary: $46,702

Primary responsibilities: An intervention specialist in education careers is a member of the special education staff who assists students in the classroom with social and academic adjustment. These teachers are in charge of developing individualized education plans (IEPs) that identify, track, and address each student’s learning difficulties in the classroom and make sure they progress toward achieving the academic objectives set by the state and the nation. To develop the best approach, they might work with educators, special education teachers, psychologists, and behavioral therapists.

3. A school psychologist

National average yearly salary: $54,383

Primary responsibilities: These education specialists in education careers assist teachers and students with problems and solutions regarding psychological wellness, social development, learning preferences, and behavior. They operate within as well as outside of the classroom. In addition to meeting with kids and/or their parents to evaluate, direct, as well as offer tools for enhancing a student’s psychological, social, economic, and physical well-being within and outside the classroom, they may assist teachers in developing courses and classes and addressing student difficulties in the classroom.

4. Tutor

National average yearly salary: $53,785

Primary responsibilities: A tutor in education careers often interacts with pupils outside of the classroom, frequently one-on-one, at their homes, tutoring centers, libraries, or other public spaces. These teachers work with students of all ages, academic levels, and learning styles, including kids, teens, and adults. They could offer instruction in a particular subject, a range of disciplines, or test prep.

5. Curriculum supervisor

National average yearly salary: $56,681

Primary responsibilities: Creating, evaluating, and enforcing educational programs and regulations for a school, district, or local government’s education department are the duties of this educational and instructional development specialist beyond the classroom. Curriculum supervisors in education careers frequently do research into novel techniques by evaluating the learning preferences of the children they serve. They may also aid in training instructors in quality standards on curricula and instructional techniques.

6. The school counselor

National average yearly salary: $57,570

Primary responsibilities: These educators in education careers support kids’ social growth, academic performance, and career development both within and beyond the classroom. They may be in charge of creating and carrying out support programs, setting up initiatives for healthy behavior and mental wellness, and fostering collaborations with other organizations for technical training, postsecondary learning, and career progression.

7. A speech pathologist

National average yearly salary: $100,361

Primary responsibilities: A speech therapist in education careers, also called a speech-language pathologist, evaluates students’ language skills, communicative difficulties, feeding issues, or a variety of cognitive capacities in schools, community centers, or specialized speech therapy practices. Finally, they develop tailored lesson plans for each student to help them with writing, reading comprehension, speaking well, and other crucial oral and vocal functions.

Other positions in the education sector

Here is a list of 11 distinct occupations in education, ranging from administration to counseling to teaching:

1. A substitute teacher

National average yearly salary: $37,436

Primary responsibilities: If the primary instructor is unable to monitor the class, a teacher’s aide steps in. Working in elementary, middle, or secondary schools, substitute teacher gives lessons and administer exams as directed by the lead teachers. Also, substitute teachers in education careers keep records of the pupils’ actions and gather their work on projects and homework.

2. Middle school educator

National average yearly salary: $61,320

Primary responsibilities: Students in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades who are in junior high school benefit academically from their middle school teachers. Middle school teachers in education careers use curricula that allow pupils to acquire more fundamentals in basic courses and focused subjects like mathematics and speech, building on the educational frameworks from elementary school. In addition to providing parents and guardians with reports on student conduct and academic achievement, the experts develop projects to promote student involvement and reinforce educational materials.

3. Teacher of elementary school

National average yearly salary: $61,350

Primary responsibilities: A professional who trains young children, primarily those in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade (K-6), is an elementary school teacher. To encourage academic advancement, elementary school instructors in education careers plan and provide courses in fundamental areas like English, arithmetic, social studies, and science. The teachers assign, grade, and organize extracurricular activities for the kids. Conferences are often held to talk about kids’ academic achievement with their guardians and parents.

4. High school instructor

National average yearly salary: $61,820

Primary responsibilities: A high school teacher is a professional educator who oversees a class of older students and helps them get prepared for higher education or the workforce once they graduate. High school teachers in education careers introduce pupils to specialized subjects like biology, mathematics, and English composition as they work with ninth through twelfth graders. They collaborate in the administration of standardized examinations and instruct the same classes of students for a semester or a whole academic year.

5. A curriculum developer

National average yearly salary: $63,740

Primary responsibilities: An education coordinator known as a curriculum developer decides the learning progression for pupils in prekindergarten through grade 12. Curriculum developers in education careers, also referred to as instructional coordinators, come up with strategies to improve present academic activities that can improve students’ academic results by observing teaching methods and student participation in classrooms. The creators create training resources for teachers to master new curricula and suggest software programs to go along with lectures in class.

6. The students’ dean

National average yearly salary: $65,568

Primary responsibilities: An educational administrator who manages student affairs on a university campus is known as a dean of students. The dean of students in education careers leads the admissions office and plans campus events to increase student participation to improve the student experience both within and beyond the classroom. As well as meeting the demands of the college’s student body, the dean creates a budget for student services.

7. A university professor

National average yearly salary: $79,640

Primary responsibilities: A teacher who instructs college students is known as a college professor. College teachers in education careers teach both in-person and college classes to students pursuing degrees in fields including law, computer science, and art history. They organize the times for their tasks, deliver lectures during the week, and assist in creating curricula for various degrees. In addition, they investigate new advances in their area of expertise and publish the results in peer-reviewed journals.

8. Academic coach

National average yearly salary: $40,430

Primary responsibilities: An academic coach in education careers engages one-on-one with pupils to help them get past obstacles to success or academic issues. Academic coaches don’t instruct students; instead, they support them by identifying their needs, assets, and areas for improvement and then coming up with individualized plans of action. Students can work on test-taking, time management, note-taking, procrastination, and reading methods with the aid of an academic coach.

9. Camp manager

National average yearly salary: $43,676

Primary responsibilities: Camp directors mostly engage with children outside of the classroom. Depending on their duties, they may work part-time or full-time. Camp directors in education careers plan various camping events, run programs, set up teams, and hire people to assist in the camp. To keep kids safe, camp directors need to have strong planning, communication, leadership, safety, and survival abilities. A position as a camp director can be a great fit for you if you have an education degree, want to go camping, and love working with kids.

6. Student coordinator

National average yearly salary: $46,638

Primary responsibilities: A student coordinator in education careers typically works in college or high school, developing and executing programs that support youth development. Creating and overseeing student events on campus is the main duty of a student coordinator. Cultural events, sporting competitions, and other scholarly pursuits are examples of them. This implies that at these inspiring and energizing events, you make connections with kids both in person and online.

7. Childcare executive

National average yearly salary: $46,095

Primary responsibilities: The everyday tasks in childcare facilities are supervised, guided, and overseen by childcare directors. They design programs that offer a secure setting and support the growth of abilities and a mentality for a smooth transition to formal schooling. A daycare director in education careers also recruits and trains new employees to carry out the proper procedures. A childcare director frequently possesses outstanding communication, leadership, and organizational abilities.

8. Lifestyle advisor

National average yearly salary: $34,351

Primary responsibilities: A lifestyle or life coach in education careers concentrates on analyzing their customers’ profiles and offering advice on their aspirations and ambitions. A client-centered, optimistic connection can be built by a lifestyle coach. To assist people in improving their daily lives, they can also launch their own companies as personal lifestyle coaches or operate for organizations that provide life coaching services.

9. Drug and alcohol counselor

National average yearly salary: $51,849

Primary responsibilities: Counselors that specialize in substance abuse deal with students and other individuals who struggle with substance misuse by offering them support networks through therapy sessions. As a result, you can work as a substance misuse counselor outside of school. Education-trained counselors are adept at communicating with and persuading patients with addiction to pay attention to them. To promote patient recovery, they offer advice, resources, and support without passing judgment. Counselors for substance abuse are conversational, attentive, understanding, and empathic.

10. Corporate coach

National average yearly salary: $62,034

Primary responsibilities: Large corporations may employ corporate trainers to instruct staff members on new abilities or ideas. Teachers are skilled communicators who can captivate audiences, allowing them to use their communication abilities to deliver teachings in a relevant and interesting manner. Depending on the size of the organization, corporate trainers may work full-time, particularly if the company has new hires.

11. Freelance writer

National average yearly salary: $46,863

Primary responsibilities: Teachers and previous teachers who want to write for a living can do it either full- or part-time. For both print and digital magazines, writers produce material. Bloggers, publications, and websites hire freelance writers daily to create good content for their web pages. You may receive payment from companies or businesses on an hourly, monthly, or per-project basis. Because of their flexible schedules and flexibility to determine availability hours, writers can work when it is most suitable for them.

Employment prospects for jobs in education

The anticipated job growth rates for 10 professions in education are contrasted below, according to information from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics:

Job title in educationChange in employment (2021-2031)
Primary school teacher4% – 60,200 jobs
High school instructor5% – 48,700 jobs
Middle school educator4% – 25,000 jobs
Instructional coordinator7% – 15,000 jobs
Library professional or a media expert6% – 8,000 jobs
Postsecondary instructor12% – 159,400 jobs
Kindergarten teacher15% – 72,900 jobs
Teacher of special education4% – 20,600 jobs
Principal5% – 14,200 jobs
Teaching aide5% – 62,100 jobs

Conclusion

If tutoring or other comparable employment is not what you want to do, you might want to look into consulting positions for retired teachers. Working as a consultant allows you to put your skills to use while assisting other teachers in achieving their objectives. You can collaborate with big businesses and organizations to provide educational materials for new hires. Your interests and ambitions will determine the opportunities in consulting.

Frequently Asked Questions about education careers

  • What kind of teacher is in high demand?

Which academic subject is in demand the most? Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) are always in great demand; however particular requirements differ per institution.

  • What discipline has a promising future?

One of those business courses that can advance your career trajectory and open up new opportunities in the business world is the MBA. It’s mostly a two-year program that can give you a wide range of employment possibilities.

  • What is the world’s most difficult course?

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, often known as a BSN, competes with programs like MBBS, BCom, IAS, IPS, engineering, and more for the title of toughest course in the world.