People generally go into education because they want to help others learn. The opportunity also exists, though, for another reward – a good paycheck. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the following rank as the highest paying education jobs for those with a Master’s in Education (MEd):
- Principals – $98,490
- College Administrators – $97,500
- College Professors – $80,560
- Instructional Coordinators – $66,970
- High School Teachers – $62,870
- Special Education Teachers – $61,030
- Librarians – $60,820
- Middle School Teachers – $60,810
- Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers – $60,660
- School and Career Counselors – $58,120
Of course, compensation depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Location
- Years of experience
- Level of education (bachelor’s degree vs master’s degree)
Your level of education greatly affects your potential salary. Many of the best-paying education jobs require a master’s degree. Other positions certainly can benefit from one. For instance, the National Council on Teacher Quality notes, “On average, a master’s degree earns teachers an additional $2,760 in their first year of teaching compared to a bachelor’s degree. This salary advantage expands to an average of $7,358 per year by the time a teacher reaches the maximum point of the pay scale.”
Highest Paying Careers in Education
What’s involved in the best paying jobs in education? Here’s a closer look at the top 10:
1. Principals
One look at the responsibilities taken on by a principal and it’s easy to see why this position tops the list of highest paying education jobs. As the leader of an elementary, middle, or high school, the principal wears many hats.
Principals oversee the work of teachers and others employed at the school. They hire staff, evaluate performance, and make sure employees have the resources necessary to do their jobs. When workers have a problem or need help, they turn to the principal for solutions.
Principals interact with plenty of other people, too, including students, parents, and those interested in learning more about school policies and activities.
Principals generally work more than 40 hours a week. Besides the regular school day, they often come in early or stay late for meetings. School events such as student activities, committee meetings, and athletic competitions sometimes bring them back to campus in the evening or on weekends.
At larger schools, an assistant principal and other administrators assume some of the duties a principal alone might perform at a smaller institution. Likewise, a principal’s responsibilities can differ by whether the school is public or private. Public school principals must keep district, state, and federal regulations top of mind. Private school principals often find themselves involved in fundraising and initiatives to attract more students.
2. College Administrators
Operating a college involves coordinating a variety of activities. College administrators take charge of these elements, including
- Housing
- Course scheduling
- Admissions
- Student life
- Safety
- Academic policies
- Budgets
Specific duties vary by role. An admissions officer, for instance, meets with prospective students and their families, travels to college fairs to promote the school, and reads through application packets to make decisions about who gets admitted.
By contrast, a provost concerns himself with academic-related matters. This administrator does things like oversee faculty research and help with decisions regarding tenure.
The size of the college often dictates the number and scope of administrative positions. For example, the student life leader at a small institution might oversee athletics, extracurricular clubs, special events, and housing. A larger college might employ a separate administrative head in each of these areas.
3. College Professors
College professors are the academic heart of postsecondary education. They teach classes in their chosen discipline, meet with individuals to offer personalized help, and assess how well students have grasped material. Many conduct research or write scholarly articles in their field of interest.
Postsecondary educators oftentimes have responsibilities outside of the classroom, such as acting as student advisors and serving on college committees. Remaining up-to-date in their field is important, so they attend professional conferences and read about new developments.
4. Instructional Coordinators
Responsibility for what students get taught and how well they grasp these concepts falls under the realm of instructional coordinators. Sometimes known as curriculum specialists, these professionals perform actions such as recommending textbooks and training teachers on new methods of instruction. Evaluating whether or not student scores on standardized tests meet the requirements set by the government and individual school boards is another important aspect of their job.
About half of instructional coordinators work for public or private elementary and secondary schools. Other employers include the government, colleges, and educational support services.
Instructional coordinators tend to work full-time, year-round.
5. High School Teachers
The task of instructing students in grades 9-12 falls to high school teachers. At most schools, teachers specialize in a certain academic area, such as English or math. Responsibilities include coming up with lesson plans, covering material in ways students understand, and monitoring progress through tests and other evaluations.
High school teachers often interact with students outside of the classroom and supervise things such as lunch, detention, extracurricular activities, and special events. Teachers communicate with parents through means such as email and face-to-face conferences. As important members of the school community, teachers attend meetings and serve on committees to stay abreast of educational developments at their institution.
6. Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers educate students with different types of disabilities. With the help of other school staff members, special education teachers develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student under their care. Regular meetings with parents, social workers, and counselors contribute to the special education teacher’s plans and adjustments.
Special education teachers generally instruct fewer students than other types of educators. The smaller class size allows more individual attention. Besides students experiencing academic challenges, special ed classrooms also may contain students with behavioral or physical problems who could benefit from the personalized environment.
7. Librarians
Yes, librarians still read to children and recommend good books. Modern librarians, though, also spend a good deal of time navigating databases and reference materials to help people find the information they seek. Other responsibilities often include organizing the library’s collection, determining what new books and technology to purchase, and teaching classes about information resources.
Roughly a third of librarians work in elementary and secondary schools. Others find employment at
- Colleges
- Local libraries
- Businesses
- Museums
- Governmental agencies
- Law firms
- Institutions that host their own libraries or need help from a professional librarian.
8. Middle School Teachers
As instructors for students in grades 6-8, middle school teachers focus on the education of preteens. They build on academic fundamentals taught in elementary school and start moving students toward more complex ways of thinking necessary for high school.
Classroom responsibilities include teaching, grading assignments, and administering assessments. Middle school teachers may work individually with students outside of class hours to provide extra academic help. Many serve as sponsors for school clubs and activities and interact with parents and school administrators to discuss student performance or behavior.
9. Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
As the first teachers children encounter in the educational system, kindergarten and elementary school teachers set the stage for future achievement. They teach fundamentals such as reading, writing, and basic math, and also help students develop socially and emotionally.
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers interact with parents more frequently than instructors at higher grade levels. They communicate ways for parents to play an active part in their child’s education and provide observations and assessments. Teachers who notice problems with learning or other issues bring them to the attention of professionals on staff such as a speech pathologist or a psychologist.
10. School and Career Counselors
Nothing makes a school counselor happier than seeing students succeed. To this end, these professionals provide guidance tailored to the needs of individuals. They observe and assess students to gain insight into their academic performance, behavior, and emotional state. From what they learn, school counselors strategize ways to help. School counselors also consult with parents, teachers, and others on the school staff who can offer support.
At the high school and college level, counselors often aid students with career plans by identifying occupations of interest and the background requirements needed for such positions. Social service organizations also employ career counselors to assist the adults they serve with things such as creating a resume and interviewing for a job.
Highest Paying States for M.Ed. Graduates
Geographical region affects pay. For master’s-holding graduates looking to maximize earnings, here’s a look at the five highest paying states for two popular educational careers:
Master of Education vs. Master of Arts in Teaching
Earning either a master of education (MEd) or a master of arts in teaching (MAT) puts the recipient on the path to higher-paying educational positions. The choice between the two comes down to preference and ultimate career goals.
Though some remain teachers, an MEd prepares for careers outside of the classroom. Students gain leadership skills and learn about “behind the scenes” operations in education. Common career outcomes include administrator and curriculum designer.
People interested in honing teaching skills often favor a MAT. They increase knowledge of their particular subject matter and learn new ways to teach pupils at certain grade levels.
Both degree programs take about two years to complete. Whichever one chosen puts a student on track not only to more pay but to greater opportunity to make a difference as an educator.