Careers in education: 12 paths and their pay

Education is a diverse field with dozens of career pathways. While many people enter education to become teachers, there are many other opportunities within the field to make a difference, from school or district leadership positions to specialized curriculum development roles.

Most of these careers start the same way: with a bachelor’s degree, a state teaching license, and time in the classroom. From there, a master’s degree is often what opens the door to leadership, counseling, and specialist roles.

In certain states, such as New York, teachers must earn a master’s degree within a specific timeframe to attain full licensure or qualify for specialized teaching positions. This degree can also support educators seeking to move into roles like principal, superintendent, or college administrator. Additionally, those interested in research or policy careers in education may find pursuing a master’s degree beneficial.

This guide covers 12 careers in education, what each one pays and requires, the basic steps to becoming a licensed teacher, what a master’s in education involves, and how to choose the path that fits you.

Careers in education: Classroom roles and beyond

The roles below range from teaching young children to shaping policy for entire school systems. Included under each career option are salary figures from official sources and job boards, a short description, and education and training requirements. Pay varies by state and district, so treat these national figures as a starting point.

Early childhood education teacher

• Salary: $38,140 per year
• Description: Educates preschool-aged children, helping them develop foundational academic, social, and emotional skills.
• Education and training: Associate or bachelor's degree in early childhood education; state-specific certification or licensing may be required.

Elementary school teacher

• Salary: $63,970 per year
• Description: Teaches foundational subjects, including reading, writing, mathematics, and science, typically in kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade.
• Education and training: Bachelor's degree in elementary education or a related field and state teaching certification for public schools.

Secondary education teacher

• Salary: $64,370 per year (middle school) and $72,040 per year (high school)
• Description: Teaches specialized academic subjects to middle or high school students, preparing them for higher education or careers.
• Education and training: Bachelor's degree in education or a subject area, completion of a teacher preparation program, and state teaching certification for public schools.

Special education teacher

• Salary: $67,170 per year
• Description: Provides individualized instruction and learning support to students with disabilities, adapting lessons to meet their educational needs.
• Education and training: Bachelor's degree in special education or a related field and state special education teaching certification for public schools.

Assistant principal

• Salary: About $85,000 per year (estimate)
• Description: Supports school administration by managing student discipline, supervising teachers, and coordinating daily school operations.
• Education and training: Typically a master's degree in educational leadership or administration, teaching experience, and state administrative certification.

Principal

• Salary: $105,870 per year
• Description: Oversees school operations, instructional programs, staff performance, budgets, and student achievement.
• Education and training: Typically a master's degree in educational administration or leadership, teaching experience, and state principal certification.

School counselor

• Salary: $64,330 per year
• Description: Helps students navigate academic challenges, career planning, social development, and personal concerns.
• Education and training: Typically a master's degree in school counseling and state certification or licensure.

School psychologist

• Salary: $95,990 per year
• Description: Evaluates students' learning, behavioral, and emotional needs and collaborates with educators and families to develop support strategies.
• Education and training: Typically a graduate degree in school psychology (a master's or education specialist degree), supervised field experience, and state certification or licensure.

Curriculum developer

• Salary: $77,440 per year
• Description: Designs educational materials, learning standards, and instructional programs to improve teaching effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Education and training: Typically a master's degree in education, curriculum and instruction, or a related field; teaching experience is often preferred.

College instructor or professor

• Salary: $85,330 per year
• Description: Teaches college-level courses, mentors students, and may conduct academic research or publish scholarly work.
• Education and training: Typically a master's degree for some instructional positions and a doctoral degree for many university professor roles.

Educational technology (EdTech) specialist

• Salary: About $68,000 per year (estimate)
• Description: Integrates digital learning tools, educational software, and technology-based teaching strategies into classrooms and instructional programs.
• Education and training: Typically a bachelor's degree in education, instructional technology, or a related field; technical experience and additional certifications may be preferred.

Education policy analyst or researcher

• Salary: About $101,000 per year (estimate)
• Description: Studies education systems, evaluates policies and programs, and uses research and data to recommend improvements in educational outcomes.
• Education and training: Typically a bachelor's or master's degree in education policy, public policy, economics, or a related field; advanced research positions may require a doctorate.

Note: Salaries are national median annual wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 data. The curriculum developer figure is for instructional coordinators. The bureau doesn’t report assistant principals, EdTech specialists, or policy analysts separately, so those figures are estimates from ZipRecruiter (October 2026).

Becoming a teacher in the U.S.: The basic steps

While each state has slightly different requirements, becoming a licensed teacher in the U.S. follows these basic steps:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree. All aspiring teachers must obtain a bachelor’s degree to qualify for certification. While any major is acceptable, choosing a degree related to your intended teaching field offers better preparation for certification exams and real classroom experience.
2. Complete a teacher preparation program. Educator preparation programs (EPPs) provide aspiring teachers with rigorous coursework, subject-specific training, and pedagogical skills. They also incorporate supervised teaching in K-12 classrooms, a crucial step before obtaining certification.
3. Pass required teacher certification exams. All teaching candidates must pass certification exams to meet state licensure requirements. The Praxis Core is a widely used set of assessments for evaluating fundamental skills in reading, writing, and mathematics, and many programs ask for it before admission.
   1. Depending on the teaching specialty and state regulations, candidates might also need to complete additional subject-specific or state-developed exams to obtain licensure.
4. Apply for a teaching license. Once you have fulfilled the educational, training, and exam requirements, the last step is to apply for your state teaching license. Your state’s department of education handles this process, which involves submitting several documents, including university transcripts, teacher exam results, and a background check.

Final step: Completing state-specific certification requirements

Depending on your teaching location, you might need to complete specific state certification requirements. Notable examples include:

• Texas: Requires completion of TExES assessments
• California: Requires meeting basic skills and subject-matter requirements, which candidates can do by passing the CBEST and CSET exams or, in many cases, through qualifying coursework or a degree
• Florida: Requires the FTCE exam
• Massachusetts: Requires passing the MTEL
• Various states: The edTPA, a performance-based portfolio assessment, is required in some states and has been waived or replaced in others (for example, Illinois has waived its edTPA requirement through August 2029). Because state policies change frequently, confirm whether your state requires edTPA scores.

Double-check whether your state requires both the Praxis and state-specific exams, or just a single set of assessments. For detailed information about state-specific requirements, visit our complete guide to teacher certification in the U.S.

Ongoing professional development is also a key part of staying a certified teacher. In many states, you must renew your teaching license every five years, as in Texas and New York. Renewal requirements usually involve earning continuing education credits or completing additional study or professional development courses.

What a master’s in education entails

A master’s in education is usually a one- or two-year program focusing on a specific area of teaching, research, or management. Some programs provide additional training in teaching certain grade levels, subjects, or special populations. Others focus on learning and cognitive science, research, and best practices for the classroom and beyond. Many serve as stepping stones to leadership roles, while others provide a “career bridge” for students or professionals interested in teaching but with limited experience.

Degree types and focus areas include:

• Master of Education/Master of Arts in Education (M.Ed./MA): Best for experienced teachers who want to move into administration, curriculum design, or specialized counseling.
• Master of Science in Education (M.S.Ed.): Focuses on specialized areas like special education, literacy, or STEM.
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT): Best for career changers who need initial teacher certification and hands-on classroom training.

Across institutions, programs can be flexible, with many schools offering hybrid and part-time options for busy professionals. Within your program, you can expect classes in pedagogical practice, psychology, education policy, and administration, with different emphases depending on the program’s style. Many programs also include some form of in-class instruction, practicum in curriculum development, or other practical requirements.

A bachelor’s degree is generally required to apply to and enroll in a master’s program, though some current college students may be able to apply to an accelerated program before graduation.

How to choose your path in education

The right path depends on who you want to work with, which populations you wish to serve, how much more schooling you’re willing to take on, and whether you want to stay in the classroom.

The table below compares the 12 careers by the education they typically require and their pay:

Generally, higher-paid jobs will require more education, though this is not always the case in education.

Careers you can start with a bachelor’s degree

Classroom teaching is the most direct way into the field. With a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program, and passing scores on your state’s exams, you can lead your own classroom in early childhood, elementary, middle, high school, or special education. Many teachers start here, even if they plan to move into other roles later, because most leadership and specialist roles require classroom experience.

Careers that usually need a master’s degree

If you’re wondering what you can do with a master’s in education, these are the roles it most often leads to: principal, assistant principal, school counselor, school psychologist, and curriculum developer. School leadership and psychology pay well above the median teacher salary. Counseling pays about the same as teaching, but the work shifts from instruction to one-on-one student support.

Careers beyond the classroom

Not every career in education involves teaching children. EdTech specialists help schools use digital tools well, and policy analysts and researchers study what works across whole school systems. College teaching is another option: most university professors need a doctorate, though a master’s degree may be enough at many community colleges.

Before you choose, ask yourself:

• Who do you want to work with? Young children, teenagers, adults, or other educators.
• Do you want to lead or to specialize? Leadership roles manage people and budgets; specialist roles go deep on one area, such as counseling or curriculum.
• How much more school can you take on? A master’s degree adds one to two years, often part-time while you teach.
• What does your state require? Some states, such as New York, require teachers to earn a master’s degree within a set number of years. Refer to our teacher certification by state guide to learn more, and always double-check with your state's department of education for the most up-to-date information.

Final thoughts

Education offers far more than one career. Most paths begin in the classroom, with a bachelor’s degree, a teacher preparation program, and passing scores on your state’s exams. From there, a master’s degree can lead to school leadership, counseling, psychology, curriculum design, or policy work.

Whichever path you choose, the first steps are the same. If the Praxis is part of your state’s requirements, start with our complete guide to the Praxis Core and learn how to register for the Praxis.