What Can I Do With a Teaching Degree? 14+ Career Paths
What can you do with a teaching degree besides teaching? Explore 14+ careers (in and out of education) that put your degree to work, plus salary information and practical next steps.
What Can I Do With a Teaching Degree (Besides Teach)?
Ever find yourself wondering, "What can I do with a teaching degree besides teaching?"
Maybe you're a classroom teacher who's ready for a career change. Maybe you earned an education degree but realized teaching wasn't the right fit. Or perhaps you're a recent graduate exploring your career options before stepping into the classroom.
Whatever brought you here, here's the good news:
A teaching degree is one of the most versatile degrees you can have.
While many people associate education degrees exclusively with classroom teaching, the reality is much broader. Every day, teachers develop valauble skills that employers across many industries actively seek.
You know how to communicate complex ideas, manage competing priorities, lead groups, solve problems, coach others, and build relationships. Those are valuable, in-demand skills.
So, what can you do with a teaching degree if you don't want to teach?
The answer is far more than you probably realize.
In this guide, we'll explore careers that keep you connected to education, opportunities outside the classroom, the highest-paying jobs with a teaching degree, and how to determine which path is the best fit for your goals.
What Can You Do With a Teaching Degree? (Short Answer)
If you're looking for the short answer, here it is:
A teaching degree can prepare you for careers in education, instructional design, curriculum development, learning and development, educational technology, human resources, publishing, project management, customer success, consulting, and many other fields.
The best career for you depends on what you're looking for.
Ask yourself:
Do you want to stay connected to education?
Would you like to work remotely or in person?
Are you hoping for a certain salary?
Do you enjoy creating content more than delivering lessons?
Are you looking for a completely different environment?
The exciting part about a teaching degree is that you don't have to choose between "teacher" and "starting over."
You're building on a foundation you've likely already spent years developing.
There's no single "best" career for every teacher. The right path depends on your strengths, interests, and long-term goals.
Why a Teaching Degree Is More Valuable Than You Think
One of the biggest misconceptions teachers have is believing their experience only matters inside a classroom. It's easy to believe that your teaching degree only prepared you for one career.
The reality is, it prepared you to help people learn, solve problems, lead with empathy, communicate clearly, and adapt to change.
You have a strong foundation, and employers aren't hiring you because you know how to manage a classroom. They're hiring you because you know how to:
Lead people
Manage projects
Present information clearly
Build relationships
Solve complex problems
Analyze data
Coach and mentor others
Adapt quickly to change
Stay organized under pressure
Think about your average school day. You're coordinating multiple projects, communicating with parents and administrators, adjusting plans on the fly, analyzing student data, facilitating learning, resolving conflicts, and balancing dozens of priorities… all while keeping students engaged.
Those responsibilities translate well into many career paths. So it’s not really about whether your skills transfer. It's more about learning how to describe them in language employers recognize.
Jobs You Can Do With a Teaching Degree — In Education (Beyond the Classroom)
If you still love education but no longer want to manage your own classroom, there are plenty of careers that allow you to continue making an impact in new ways.
Curriculum Developer
If lesson planning was always your favorite part of teaching, curriculum development may be a great next career path for you.
Curriculum developers create instructional materials, teacher guides, assessments, and learning resources used by schools, districts, publishers, and education companies. Instead of teaching one classroom, your work can support thousands of educators and students.
Many positions are contract, freelance, or remote.
Why teachers thrive in this role:
Strong instructional expertise
Deep understanding of learning standards
Experience designing engaging lessons
Ability to think from both the teacher's and student's perspective
Typical salary: $65,000–$95,000+ (Freelance and contract work often offer higher hourly or project-based rates.)
Explore more: 7 Exciting Curriculum Development Careers (Beyond the Classroom)
Instructional Designer
Instructional design has become one of the most popular career transitions for teachers—and for good reason.
Instructional designers create online courses, employee training programs, onboarding experiences, and digital learning materials for corporations, universities, healthcare organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies.
Instead of teaching students, you're designing learning experiences that help adults succeed.
Many instructional design roles are also fully remote.
Why teachers thrive in this role:
Understanding how people learn
Lesson design experience
Technology integration
Assessment creation
Organization and project management
Typical salary: $75,000–$110,000+
Learn more aboutinstructional design vs. curriculum development
Education Consultant
Education consultants work with schools, districts, nonprofits, curriculum companies, and education organizations to improve instructional practices, implement new initiatives, or support school improvement efforts.
Some consultants work independently, while others join established consulting firms or education companies.
This role is especially appealing to experienced educators who enjoy solving problems and coaching others.
Typical salary: $70,000–$120,000+ (Independent consultants may earn more as they build their client base and reputation.)
Explore more:Should I Become an Education Consultant?
Education Writer
Education companies, publishers, nonprofits, and online learning platforms need experienced educators to write blog articles, instructional resources, and professional development materials.
If you enjoy writing and creating educational content, this career allows you to use your expertise in an entirely new way. Most positions are contract, freelance, or remote.
Typical salary: $60,000–$90,000 (Freelance and contract work often offer higher hourly or project-based rates.)
Learn more:Should I be an Education Writer?
Customer Success Manager (EdTech)
One of the fastest-growing career paths for former teachers is Customer Success.
Customer Success Managers help clients implement products, solve problems, and achieve their goals after purchasing software or services.
Teachers excel because they already know how to educate, build relationships, and communicate with empathy.
Many EdTech companies specifically seek former educators for these positions.
Typical salary: $80,000–$130,000+ (Many EdTech companies also offer annual bonuses, equity, or stock options.)
Educational Sales Representative
Education companies need professionals who understand schools from the inside.
Former teachers can speak authentically with educators, demonstrate products effectively, and build trust with school leaders.
Many educational sales roles include commission opportunities, making them one of the highest-paying career paths available to former teachers.
Typical salary: $90,000–$150,000+ (Many roles also include commission or performance bonuses, which can significantly increase total compensation.)
Professional Development Facilitator or Instructional Coach
If you enjoy helping other educators grow, a career as a Professional Development Facilitator or Instructional Coach may be an excellent fit.
In these roles, you may work for education companies, nonprofits, curriculum publishers, school districts, or state education agencies. You might lead workshops, create learning materials, and help teachers implement new instructional strategies or technologies.
If you enjoy coaching fellow educators and sharing best practices, this role allows you to make an impact on a much larger scale.
Typical salary: $65,000–$100,000+
Education Program Manager
Education Program Managers oversee educational initiatives for nonprofits, foundations, universities, museums, and education organizations. They coordinate projects, manage budgets, collaborate with stakeholders, and evaluate program outcomes.
This role is ideal for teachers who enjoy organization, leadership, and improving systems while continuing to make an impact in education.
Typical salary: $70,000–$105,000+
Student Success Coach or Academic Advisor
If your favorite part of teaching was mentoring students, academic advising may be worth exploring.
Student Success Coaches help learners stay engaged, overcome challenges, and achieve their academic or professional goals. These roles are common at education organizations, colleges, universities, online education providers, and workforce development organizations.
Academic advisors work at colleges and universities, helping students choose courses, navigate degree requirements, and stay on track toward graduation.
The role focuses less on instruction and more on coaching and relationship building.
Typical salary: $50,000–$75,000
Online Teacher — for those who still love teaching but want a different environment
Online teachers work for virtual schools (K-12), colleges, tutoring companies, and education platforms, delivering instruction remotely to students of all ages.
For educators who still enjoy teaching but want greater flexibility, an online teaching role can provide the opportunity to stay in education while working from home.
Typical salary: $45,000–$80,000 (depending on employer, grade level, and full-time vs. contract work)
Explore more about these education-related careers: The Ultimate Guide to Alternative Careers for Teachers
Jobs With a Teaching Degree — Outside Education
Not every teacher wants to remain in education, and that's okay.
One of the biggest surprises for many educators is just how transferable their skills are. These careers allow you to build on your teaching experience while stepping into an entirely new industry.
Learning & Development Specialist
Learning and Development (often called L&D) professionals design employee onboarding, leadership programs, professional development, and workplace learning initiatives.
Many companies actively recruit former teachers because instructional design and facilitation are already core parts of the job.
Typical salary: $80,000–$120,000+
Human Resources Specialist
Human Resources professionals support hiring, onboarding, employee relations, training, and professional development.
Teachers bring valuable experience coaching people, communicating expectations, documenting performance, and managing conflict.
Typical salary: $60,000–$95,000
Project Manager
Teachers manage projects every single day, but they just don't usually call them that.
Planning curriculum, organizing events, coordinating stakeholders, meeting deadlines, and tracking outcomes are all forms of project management.
Project managers oversee initiatives across nearly every industry, making this an excellent option for teachers looking to leave education altogether.
Typical salary: $85,000–$130,000+
Corporate Trainer
Corporate trainers teach employees new systems, software, leadership skills, compliance requirements, and workplace processes.
If you enjoy facilitating workshops and helping people learn, you'll find many familiar elements in this role.
Typical salary: $70,000–$110,000
Highest Paying Jobs With a Teaching Degree
If increasing your earning potential is one of your goals, you'll be glad to know that many careers value the skills teachers already possess—and pay accordingly.
While salaries vary based on experience, location, and industry, these careers often offer six-figure earning potential.
It's important to remember that salary isn't the only factor to consider.
Many former teachers also prioritize flexibility, remote work opportunities, career growth, and improved work-life balance. For some, earning the same salary while gaining evenings, weekends, and summers back feels like a significant upgrade. For others, transitioning into a higher-paying role opens the door to new financial goals and greater long-term stability.
The best career is the one that aligns with both your professional aspirations and the lifestyle you want to build.
What If I Have an Elementary or Special Education Degree?
One of the biggest misconceptions education graduates have is that their degree limits them to one type of classroom.
In reality, employers are much more interested in your skills than the specific title of your degree.
Whether you studied elementary education, secondary education, early childhood education, or special education, you've developed transferable skills that apply across many industries.
What Jobs Can You Get With an Elementary Education Degree Besides Teaching?
If you've been searching "What jobs can you get with an elementary education degree besides teaching?", you're asking a question thousands of education graduates ask every year.
An elementary education degree can open doors to careers such as:
Curriculum Developer
Instructional Designer
Corporate Trainer
Customer Success Manager
Education Writer
Academic Advisor
Learning & Development Specialist
Educational Sales Representative
Human Resources Specialist
Recruiter
Elementary teachers are especially skilled at simplifying complex ideas, communicating with diverse audiences, and building strong relationships (qualities employers consistently value).
What About a Special Education Degree?
Special education teachers bring another layer of expertise that's highly sought after.
You've likely developed expertise:
Creating individualized learning plans
Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams
Advocating for students
Differentiating instruction
Managing complex situations with empathy and professionalism
Those experiences translate particularly well into careers involving accessibility, coaching, employee development, customer success, compliance, instructional design, and consulting.
The bottom line is your teaching degree doesn't limit your career options. It’s versatile and actually expands them.
I Don't Want to Teach… Now What?
If you've reached the point where you're thinking, "I don't want to teach anymore," you may also be feeling guilty, uncertain, or even a little scared.
That's completely understandable.
For many educators, teaching is part of their identity. Walking away from the classroom can feel like walking away from years of hard work, purpose, and dedication.
But here's something to remember: Leaving the classroom doesn't mean leaving behind your purpose or impact.
It simply means you're choosing a new place to make it.
Many former teachers discover they're happier, healthier, and more fulfilled in careers where they can still educate, solve problems, coach others, or create meaningful learning experiences in a different environment.
If you're wondering what you can do with a teaching degree if you don't want to teach, start here:
1. Identify What You Want More Of
Instead of focusing only on what you want to leave behind, think about what you want to gain.
Maybe it's:
Better work-life balance
Higher earning potential
A fully remote position
More flexibility
Creative work
Opportunities for advancement
Knowing what you're moving toward makes choosing a new career much easier.
2. Translate Your Skills
One of the biggest mistakes teachers make is underselling their experience.
Instead of saying you "managed a classroom," explain that you:
Led groups of 25-150 people
Managed multiple concurrent projects
Analyzed performance data
Designed instructional programs
Facilitated training
Collaborated with cross-functional stakeholders
Those are the kinds of skills employers understand immediately.
3. Narrow Your Focus
It's tempting to apply for every job that sounds interesting.
Instead, choose one or two target careers and tailor your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and networking efforts toward those roles.
A focused strategy almost always produces better results than sending hundreds of generic applications.
Ready to Start Your Career Transition This Summer?
These are just some of the many career options available. While reading about career options is an important first step, knowing which path fits your strengths and how to position yourself for it is where many teachers get stuck.
That's exactly why we created the Summer Career Pivot Package.
Inside, you'll get one-on-one guidance and expert support to help you confidently transition beyond the classroom. Designed to help you make real progress before the new school year begins, you'll receive:
Full access to the Educator Forever Network through September 15
Exciting job leads on our private jobs board (where we post hundreds of jobs every month!)
Step-by-step guidance in our signature Beyond the Classroom course, where you'll discover your career possibilities, get clarity, and learn exactly how to find and land flexible jobs in education
Empowering weekly live group calls for career guidance and job search support
Exclusive access to ongoing wellness, creativity, skill growth, and co-working sessions, along with special virtual workshops
An incredible, supportive community of like-minded educators cheering you on as you expand your impact and income in education
Two 1:1 coaching calls to help you clarify your goals and map out your next steps
A personalized career roadmap and action plan built around your experience and goals
A 1:1 resume review
Resume and cover letter templates
This is the first time we've offered this level of personalized support in one place.
It's everything to make your career change a reality and will give you the clarity, momentum, and support you need.
Explore the Summer Career Pivot Package, and make this the summer you start building your next chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teaching Degrees and Career Changes
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A teaching degree develops highly transferable skills in communication, leadership, project management, problem-solving, coaching, and relationship building.
Those skills are valuable in education, technology, healthcare, nonprofits, publishing, government, and corporate organizations. Many professionals build successful careers without spending years in a classroom — or after deciding to leave teaching altogether.
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Some of the highest-paying careers for people with teaching degrees include:
Product Manager (EdTech)
Learning & Development Manager
Senior Instructional Designer
Educational Sales Representative
Customer Success Manager
Project Manager
Education Consultant
Many experienced professionals in these roles earn well into six figures, especially in technology and corporate learning.
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Yes. Teachers already possess many of the core skills these careers require, including coaching, facilitation, communication, conflict resolution, onboarding, and professional development.
Many employers value former teachers because they're experienced educators who know how to help people learn and grow.
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Most teachers do not need another bachelor's or master's degree to transition successfully.
Instead, the biggest factors are learning how to translate your experience, tailoring your résumé, building your professional network, and gaining familiarity with your target industry.
You can also take some courses, training, or certifications to develop your skills and gain experience in certain areas.
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An elementary education degree can lead to careers in instructional design, curriculum development, corporate training, customer success, educational consulting, academic advising, human resources, recruiting, publishing, and educational technology.
The communication, leadership, and organizational skills developed through teacher preparation programs are valuable across many industries.