In general, most careers in education will require an associate’s degree or higher. If you want to be rewarded for your hard work, the following 10 jobs are the best options in this field. You can also expect higher pay as you gain more experience in education.
There are many rewarding jobs in the field of education, so the right job is different for each person. These fulfilling jobs allow you to grow as a person, increase your skills and achieve a better pay rate. Although there are also entry-level positions that pay well, some of the best jobs involve management-level responsibilities. In order to have the best chances of getting hired for one of these education jobs, you should have at least a bachelor’s degree. Unless you are teaching at a private or parochial school, you will also need a teaching certification from your state before you can teach students.
1. Chief Academic Officers
If you become a chief academic officer, you can expect to earn an average salary of $117,541 a year. Chief academic officers are also known as directors of education. These skilled professionals are in charge of directing, planning and coordinating programs at secondary schools.
Basically, a chief academic officer is in charge of researching and creating academic courses. After developing a course, they also monitor its progress at a college or university. Throughout the process, they work to respond to complaints from students and faculty members.
While some people are promoted with just a master’s degree and work experience, most applicants will need a doctoral degree in educational leadership. Successful candidates often have experience managing in educational settings.
2. School Principals
If you are a principal at an elementary, middle or high school, you can expect to earn a median pay of $95,310 per year. Being a school principal is a rewarding career choice. As a school principal, you are in charge of managing and overseeing everything that goes on at your school. You handle operations like the development and execution of educational policies.
In addition, school principals are in charge of hiring the school’s teachers and staff members. They work to develop the school’s academic curricula and ensure that teachers are following it correctly. School principals oversee the training of staff members and student progress.
To be successful, school principals must work alongside staff members, parents and students. They handle public relations and communication with the local community and parents. If there is an issue with a student, a school principal may support teachers in addressing the problem. In general, school principals will need a master’s degree in education leadership or education administration to get hired. Often, principals also require experience teaching in the classroom before they can be promoted to a role as a principal or an assistant principal. Many principals also have a bachelor’s degree in school counseling or education.
3. Postsecondary Administrators
A postsecondary administrator earns an impressive $94,340 per year. Someone who works in this position may run a financial aid or admissions office. A postsecondary administrator is employed by a secondary school, college or university. They are in charge of a range of managerial responsibilities, so they may handle a wide array of activities related to residential life, admissions, multicultural affairs or housing.
Someone who works in this position will perform research and gather data about different policies. They will create promotional materials, meet with prospective students and advise current students. In addition, they will also organize student and class data. In a typical day, they may manage the budget, develop academic policies and assist students with getting financial aid. Often, postsecondary administrators help students solve problems relating to academic issues, personal problems, housing difficulties or other concerns. The administrator may work to appoint faculty members and maintain a database of students and courses.
In general, a postsecondary administrator will need to get a master’s degree or a doctoral degree in education. Often, applicants will need to take courses in school finance, educational leadership, student affairs, higher education administration and educational law. Individual schools may want the applicant to have other qualifications as well. For example, many colleges look for candidates who have previously worked as a professor or an educational administrator.
4. Assistant Principals
An assistant principal earns an average wage of $87,439 every year. Once someone is hired as an assistant principal, they serve as a part of the school’s administrative team. They help the principal achieve their objectives while supporting parents, teachers and students.
Assistant principals can be found at elementary, middle and high schools across the nation. They have supervisory skills and administrative abilities that help them support students, teachers and staff members. An assistant principal works to monitor the performance of teachers and academic programs. They may observe teachers, provide feedback and monitor staff development.
Often, assistant principals are in charge of programs related to professional development. They may help teachers with continuing education options. Assistant principals help to coordinate resources and improve teaching skills so that the overall learning environment improves. They are also in charge of ensuring safe conditions for students.
Other than supporting teachers, assistant principals also help with financial issues. They support the principal in activities like managing the budget. Throughout the year, the assistant principal helps with measuring and reviewing test scores. They work to bring students up to local, state and federal standards. As a part of this goal, the assistant principal may meet up with educators and parents to discuss student progress and behavior.
In order to become an assistant principal, applicants should get a bachelor’s degree and additional experience. Most assistant principals will also need to have a master’s degree before they can advance into a supervisory role. While someone may still get a promotion without a master’s degree, many schools require advanced coursework for people who want to be an assistant principal.
5. College Professors
Postsecondary teachers like college professors earn a median pay each year of $78,470. College professors are in charge of teaching students about different academic subjects. They may teach about things like technology, engineering, history, economics, art or music. In general, a professor is expected to plan their lessons and conduct research in their field.
A professor is expected to have an advanced understanding of their field, so they must continue studying and conducting research after they have finished their college degree. They may conduct scientific studies, research new fields of inquiry and provide critical reviews of other academicians’ work. In addition, they may publish their own research findings.
Professors are also expected to advise and supervise graduate students. Throughout the year, they are supposed to assess student progress and grade coursework. Many colleges require professors to have office hours each week for helping students with additional questions or homework assignments.
Depending on the school, professors may be able to advise administrative staff members on hiring and recruiting other faculty members. They may be asked to recommend policy changes and faculty promotions. Many professors are in charge of supervising teaching assistants who teach students or grade papers. Professors may serve on committees to make sure that the school offers accurate instruction.
To become a college professor, applicants must complete at least a master’s degree. In most cases, applicants will have to have a doctoral degree as well. If the applicant wants to work at larger colleges and universities, they will need a doctoral degree. At community colleges, professors may be able to get hired with just a master’s degree.
6. Instructional Coordinators
An instructional coordinator earns a median wage of $64,450 per year. Instructional coordinators are in charge of researching different methods of instruction and curriculum options. They are in charge of developing academic courses and putting them into practice. Often, instructional coordinators handle tasks like creating instruction plans.
While many instructional coordinators work with students, they may also create programs for educators. No matter who they end up teaching, instructional coordinators handle tasks like choosing the right textbooks, picking instructional materials and measuring student performance. They may be in charge of determining the effectiveness of academic programs and ways to improve current classes. An instructional coordinator may research, choose and implement new technology for the classroom.
Like most education jobs, job applicants will need to go to school to become an instructional coordinator. In general, applicants will need a master’s of education. They may also need specialized studies related to their academic field or subject.
7. Secondary School Teachers
In 2018, the median pay for a high school teacher was $60,320. High school teachers are in charge of teaching students the skills they need to go to college or enter the job market after they finish high school. They do things like plan lessons and assess student abilities.
Once hired, teachers are in charge of instructing their students in whatever subject area they teach. They may adapt lessons for larger classes, prepare students for upcoming tests and work with students in a one-on-one environment. As they teach and assess students, they also communicate with parents about concerns and the student’s progress.
Teachers may also be in charge of supervising students outside of the classroom. They may have to supervise students during extracurricular activities, detention or lunchtime. While teachers may teach multiple subjects in a small school, they normally stick to just one area in larger schools. They may teach subjects like science, history, Spanish, art or math. Throughout the day, the teacher must plan lessons, instruct students, meet with other teachers and grade assignments.
While each state is different, a high school teacher will generally need a bachelor’s degree and a state certification if they want to teach at a public school. Many parochial and private schools are able to set their own standards. Teachers will need a degree in the field they plan on teaching in. Because of the high demand for science, math and technical teachers, it is often easier for applicants to find jobs in these subject areas.
To get a teaching certificate, teachers must enroll in a teaching certification program during college. They will often need to pass a background check and take part in a student-teaching program. This kind of program pairs up students with a mentor teacher for job shadowing. Some states require teachers to get a master’s degree after they are hired for a teaching job. In states that have a teaching shortage, the requirements for becoming a teacher are generally less stringent.
8. Special Education Teachers
If you decide to work as a special education teacher, you can expect to earn a median wage of $59,780 each year. A special education teacher is in charge of instructing children and teenagers who have emotional, mental and physical disabilities. These teachers work to support students as they become more independent and expand their knowledge.
Special education teachers create individualized education programs (IEP) that support each student’s progress. These lesson plans target the student’s unique needs. During the year, special education teachers work closely with parents, staff members, counselors, teachers and administrators to determine the best instruction for each student. Then, they create transition plans for students who leave for different schools.
Special education teachers have to get a teaching certification like other teachers. They must have a bachelor’s degree. Depending on their state, they may need a specialized degree or certification in special education. While someone can get hired with a teaching certificate in a different subject area, schools will generally prefer applicants who have a certificate that is specifically for special education.
As a librarian, graduates can expect to earn a median wage of $59,050 each year. Librarians play an important role in schools. They are in charge of managing information and the school’s library. While most people think about librarians taking care of the school’s books, they are the people in charge of technology resources like online research tools, education apps and inter-library loans. Librarians also create library programs and oversee staff members.
A librarian works to choose and organize the library’s resources. These resources must be properly maintained so that students can easily access and retrieve them for their studies. A librarian also works to choose new materials, videos, books and technology for their library. They may educate students about different programs or support staff members. Often, librarians will instruct students about the different materials available and provide lessons for different grade levels.
Librarians may be able to get hired with a bachelor’s degree, but many positions require graduate coursework. Librarians will typically need to get a master’s degree in library science. Depending on the state, the librarian may also need a teaching license or an education certificate.
10. School Counselors
If you are a school or career counselor, you can expect to earn a median wage of $56,310 each year. School counselors can work in elementary, middle or high schools. They may help students, teachers, staff members and administrators.
While school counselors may help with personal problems or mental health issues, they also provide a vital service for students who want career help. They help students determine the next step in their education through academic and vocational counseling. School counselors play an important role in spotting students who are suffering from abuse or behavior issues. Once school counselors realize there is a problem, they can assist students in getting help for different mental disorders or developmental issues.
Throughout this process, school counselors work with teachers and administrators to help students achieve success. As students prepare for college, the school counselor may help them coordinate financial aid and apply for school. They may help students review different training programs and colleges as they plan out their career objectives.
In order to become a school counselor, applicants need to have a master’s of education in school counseling. After they finish their master’s degree, they will also need to get their license. Specific states or individual schools may have other requirements as well.
Succeeding in the Field of Education
Once someone has a bachelor’s degree in education, there are a number of career paths they can take. If they want specific jobs, they may need a master’s of education or a doctoral degree. To avoid wasting time and money on additional degrees, students must plan out their career goals before they invest in a specific program.
In an education program, students can learn about how to communicate ideas and manage a classroom. Many of the skills found in an education degree apply to other career fields as well. For example, communication skills help with careers like working as a business manager.
If you want to succeed in the field of education, you need a teaching degree and experience in the field. Many schools offer student-teaching programs, but you can also try job shadowing experienced teachers. In addition, you can work as a volunteer instructor as you complete your degree. Skills like critical thinking and interpersonal communication are all important abilities for education majors to have.
Achieving Financial Success in Education
Like most industries, there are a number of high-paid positions in teaching. If you want to work in one of these positions, you have to get prepared. Degrees in fields like education, educational administration and counseling can help you achieve the right qualifications for the position you want. Then, your experience and references can help you succeed at getting hired for your new job in the education industry.