Careers in education
Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by Pamela M. Roggeman, EdD, Dean, College of Education
The field of education offers a wide range of rewarding career paths. Educators help shape the leaders of the future, and they provide everyone from preschoolers to adult students the opportunity to change their lives through education.
Why pursue careers in education?
The drawback? Careers in education have a reputation for low pay. However, there are opportunities to defy that stereotype outside traditional teaching roles in primary and secondary education. In fact, from administrators to instructional coordinators, there are several well-paying careers in education to consider.
Additionally, training and library occupations have a job outlook of 857,600 openings 
projected each year from 2022 to 2032.
Between stable job growth and a range of salary options, education is a field that has more diversity of opportunity than one might think. But it’s first important to learn what role could be a great fit. Here are some higher-paying careers in education to consider.
Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is not geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.
BLS Occupational Employment Projections, 2022-2032 is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.
Top careers in education
Superintendent
A superintendent is one of the top positions in the education field. Superintendents report directly to a school board, and they act as the top executive of a county’s education system.
Education: Becoming a superintendent typically requires a master’s degree, and sometimes a doctorate is preferred, often in a specialty such as school administration or leadership. However, these requirements can vary by state.
Salary: Superintendents, which BLS categorizes as executive positions, earned between $80,000 and $239,200 with a median wage of $206,680, according to BLS. The job outlook for this profession has a projected growth of 3% from 2022 to 2032.
School principal
School principals are responsible for supervising and managing the daily operations of a school. This can include leading teacher training and meetings, attending school board meetings, managing disciplinary action for students and contacting parents. Principals can work in public or private schools, and their duties normally require them to work year-round.
Education: To reach this level of school leadership, an educator needs to gain significant teaching experience and earn a master’s degree in education, educational administration or educational leadership. This education and training provide aspiring principals with leadership, communication, management and teaching skills to create a positive learning environment at their school.
Salary: As of May 2023, school principals earned between $70,050 and $163,010 with a median wage of $103,460, according to BLS. The job outlook for these roles is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.
College administrator
mong the many careers in education, in the postsecondary sector, college administrator is one of the top positions. College administrators oversee the operations of colleges and universities. This includes academics, student activities, and services and research conducted by the faculty. College administrators can work for both private and public colleges and universities, including both in-person and online institutions.
Education: To be hired as a college administrator, most institutions require a master’s degree and experience working in an administrative capacity at a college or university. Doctoral degrees are required for positions such as a dean and provost.
College administrators need to develop skills specific to the department they are overseeing. These skills can include communication, interpersonal aptitude, financial management, problem-solving and leadership.
Professor
Professors, or postsecondary teachers, educate students who have graduated from high school and are pursuing postsecondary education. Professors work at colleges and universities and teach one subject to students. They are responsible for teaching students, acting as mentors, attending faculty meetings, conducting research and publishing their work.
Education: Educators typically need a PhD or other doctoral degree to become a professor. Some colleges and technical schools may hire professors who have a master’s degree and a suitable amount of professional experience.
Salary: As of May 2023, professors earned between $49,440 and $182,710 , with a median wage of $84,380, according to BLS. The job outlook has a projected growth of 8% between 2022 and 2032, also according to BLS. However, the availability of tenure-track positions depends on area of expertise and geographic location.
Instructional coordinator
Unlike some other careers in education, instructional coordinators can work in all fields of education — primary, secondary or postsecondary. Instructional coordinators oversee the curriculum and instructional practices of a school. These education professionals work closely with teachers to ensure that all students experience a positive learning environment.
Education: To be hired for this position, candidates typically need a master’s degree and work experience . Some teachers with extensive experience may be hired for this role, depending on the school and the state a teacher lives in.
Special education teacher
Special education teachers can work with students of any age, and they have specialized knowledge in providing a quality educational experience for students with physical, mental or learning disabilities.
Education: To be hired as a special education teacher, candidates must have an undergraduate degree in special education and take the necessary exams to be licensed by your state. Some schools prefer applicants who hold a master’s degree in special education, due to the role’s highly specialized nature.
Salary: As of May 2023, special education teachers earned between $47,520 and $106,290 , with a median wage of $65,910, according to BLS. This career's job outlook is projected to show little to no change from 2022 to 2032.
Reasons for differences in education salaries
The differences in earning potential among the different careers in education can be attributed to a variety of factors, including:
● Experience: The longer candidates work in the field, the more experience they have. Many schools pay their more experienced staff higher salaries.
● Advanced degrees: Earning a master’s degree, a doctoral degree or even taking a few graduate courses as a part of continuing education can impact earning potential as an educator. Advanced education demonstrates a more specialized or in-depth level of expertise.
● Earning a state license: While some states may allow people to teach without earning a license , earning one may increase your earning potential.
● Geographic location: Geographic location can have a major impact on an educator’s earning potential .
Learn more about programs for careers in education
If you’re eager to expand your knowledge and skill for one of the many careers in education, there are several paths to consider. University of Phoenix offers online degrees and certificates as well as continuing teacher education:
- Master of Arts in Education/Administration and Supervision
- Master in Special Education
- Continuing education for teachers
- Education certificates
Contact University of Phoenix for more information.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at University of Phoenix where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
As dean of the University of Phoenix College of Education, Pamela Roggeman has spent over a decade in higher education teacher preparation in both the public and private sector. Her experience has included national partnerships that help to advance thought leadership in the field of education. Dr. Roggeman also serves as the President of the Arizona Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors.
This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.
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