50 Jobs For Former Teachers That Pay Well

Today we’re highlighting 50 jobs for former teachers that pay well. 

If you’re a former teacher looking for a job in a related field that provides you with stronger compensation levels, this article is for you! 

Ex-teachers and current teachers alike offer a variety of transferrable skills from creativity to project coordination. This makes teachers excellent candidates for a variety of different roles across a multitude of fields. Whether you’re interested in a full-time role or a part-time job, there is something out there for you.

Why Teachers Leave the Education Field

Teaching is an admirable career because school teachers shape the next generation. With that said, classroom teaching, and the teaching profession as a whole is extremely challenging, and often does not provide significant financial stability. 

Teacher burnout is real, and it is rough. If you’re going through that, give yourself some grace. Teachers have one of the hardest and most important jobs on the planet, and we’ll be the first to say that teachers should be rewarded and financially compensated for all that they do!

Skills that Teachers and Educators Have

Here are just a few of the incredible transferrable skills that teachers hold:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Project Management
• Data Analysis
• Patience
• Creativity

Leadership

Teachers exemplify leadership because they need to lead the class, and this can be transferred into a variety of roles.

Communication

Communication is an essential part of teaching. Teachers communicate with students, parents, other teachers, and administrators to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Problem Solving

Teachers are always solving problems from behavioral issues with students, to how to effectively teach a subject, or how to procure additional educational materials when needed.

Project Management

Whether teachers are teaching multiple different subjects, grading papers, managing classroom budgets, or integrating new curricula into the program, they are constantly managing a plethora of projects.

Data Analysis

Many teachers must analyze student data to see what teaching methods are most effective. Additionally, teachers may be required to analyze testing data, or data from schools on a local, regional, and state level.

Patience 

Patience is a critical skill for teachers, particularly when working with students who are struggling with grasping specific content.

Creativity

Teachers must be on the forefront of creativity to engage students and help excite them about learning different subjects in school.

50 Jobs for Teachers Leaving Education

If you’re considering leaving education, or more specifically, a hands-on teaching position, here are some jobs that you’ll have the transferrable skills to take on. 

1. Educational Consultant 

The duties of an educational consultant can vary depending on whether you work for a private company or a school district. Some educational consultants work with educational technology firms to design online continuing education programs for teachers, while others may implement new curricula for schools.

Salary Potential: The average educational consultant salary in the United States is $106,601 as of February 27, 2023. The range typically falls between $94,701 and $118,401.

Skills needed: You must have an understanding of the school system, local, regional, and national requirements, education, and developing training materials.

2. School Principal 

Principals supervise schools and direct their overall operation. This involves maintaining student and teacher success, handling disciplinary issues, managing budgets, overseeing hiring decisions, and more. 

Salary Potential: The average school principal salary in the United States is $114,835 as of February 27, 2023. The range typically falls between $101,437 and $129,180. 

Skills needed: If you’re considering this role, it’s important that you feel comfortable in a leadership position and possess the strong interpersonal skills including communication, conflict management, and patience.

3. Private Tutor 

Private tutors work with the individual needs of each learner to review class material and go over assignments or exams with students during tutoring sessions. 

Salary Potential: According to Care.com, individual tutors generally charge according to their level of education and experience.

The website explains that high school students typically charge $15-$50 per hour. Certified, experienced teachers may charge up to $100 (or more) per hour based on their qualifications and teaching experience. The average private tutor salary in the United States is $32,442 as of February 27, 2023 

Skills needed: Tutors must exemplify soft skills, including skills like patience, positivity, empathy, understanding, creative thinking, and problem-solving. 

4. Standardized Test Developer 

Standardized test developers design evaluations that measure a student’s retained knowledge at the end of a course or schooling. In addition to writing and editing test questions, they analyze data to identify areas that need testing, research sources that can be used when developing new test questions, and ensure tests are accurate and error-free. 

Salary Potential: The average test developer salary in the United States is $87,451 as of February 27, 2023. The salary range typically falls between $79,897 and $98,399.

Skills needed: Like many other jobs in curriculum development, test developer roles often require a master’s degree. Depending on the subject matter, you may also need specific expertise. For instance, test developers that work on the LSAT might need a law degree.

5. Instructional Designer 

Instructional designers evaluate a variety of learning tools and resources, identify what materials can benefit specific students or teachers, then work closely with educators to help implement curriculum and instruction practices. 

Salary Potential: The average instructional designer I salary in the United States is $63,073 as of February 27, 2023. 

Skills needed: Instructional designers must be skilled in research, data analysis, education, communication, and program implementation.

6. Academic Advisor 

Academic advising professionals are involved in nearly every step of a student’s education process—from guiding them through the admission process to recommending what classes to take. They also update student reports and keep track of student progress. 

Salary Potential: The average academic advisor salary in the United States is $52,092 as of February 27, 2023. The range typically falls between $46,376 and $58,984.

Skills needed: You must understand curriculum, high school and college scheduling and student needs, and give you insights into how to work with students on a daily basis. These skills are critical for a career as an academic advisor.

7. Guidance Counselor 

Guidance counselors advise students on academic and personal decisions. They also work with students experiencing behavioral, emotional, or mental issues that impact their ability to perform at school. In addition to working with students, guidance counselors also cooperate with parents and school staff to ensure students reach their full potential. 

Salary Potential: The average high school guidance counselor salary in the United States is $55,194 as of February 27, 2023. 

Skills needed: Each state has its own licensure and accreditation requirements to become a guidance counselor but most will require a master’s degree and the completion of an approved counselor education program. Guidance counselors must have empathy, communication, and sometimes crisis intervention skills.

8. Program Director for Exceptional Children

A program director for exceptional children, also referred to as PDEC, is someone who has a background in special education and an understanding of relevant teaching practices and methods. This role is critical to ensure that students get the care and training they need to be successful. They have several duties—they oversee the department, plan the curriculum, and stay up to date on the latest education research. 

Salary Potential: The average education program director salary in the United States is $128,600 as of February 27, 2023. The range typically falls between $114,500 and $144,000. 

Skills needed: A PDEC should typically have a few years of experience in special education. The job itself requires excellent administrative skills more than classroom and educational skills, so you’ll want to develop those skills in any way that you can.

9. Curriculum Specialist 

Curriculum specialists test learning data and strategies, then recommend curriculum and teaching improvements. They also train teachers on new programs and content. This helps create engaging, meaningful learning experiences that improve academic outcomes.

Salary Potential: The base salary for curriculum specialist II ranges from $69,778 to $85,580 with the average base salary of $77,513.

Skills needed: Curriculum specialists must be familiar with building lesson plans, school, state, and federal data for curriculum requirements, and attention to detail. 

10. Education Policy Expert 

Education policy experts measure the success or failure of existing policies and determine how policies will affect students, teachers, budgets, and districts. They also look at challenges faced by schools, districts, or regions and come up with policy-based solutions. 

Salary Potential: The average policy analyst salary in the United States is $63,461 as of February 27, 2023. The salary range typically falls between $56,631 and $72,295.

Skills needed: You’ll need research, public policy, public speaking, and data analysis skills for this role. You’ll also be required to communicate with cross functional teams, so communication is a must.

11. Childcare Worker 

A childcare business is lucrative for a parent who is working at home. If you’re not looking to start a full-fledged in-home daycare, start with picking up flexible childcare jobs like babysitting—and expand your network as you see fit. 

Salary Potential: The average Child Care Worker’s salary in the United States is $36,127. 

Skills needed: To work in childcare, you must have excellent communication skills, skills in the realm of planning and instruction, as well as creative thinking to help keep children entertained. In addition, childcare workers must be empathetic and engaging.

12. Sales Representative

Sales reps often pitch products or services, cold-call prospects, and interact with clients to ensure they have a positive sales experience from start to finish. 

Salary Potential: The average sales representative I salary in the United States is $61,333.

Skills needed: Much like teachers, sales representatives are great at interacting with people and identifying their needs. They also rely on strong communication, negotiation, and writing skills.

13. Financial Advisor

Financial advisors work with clients to help them realize their financial goals and provide advice and strategies so that they can reach those goals. They also research various stocks, mutual funds, and markets worth investing in, to achieve substantial returns for their clients.

Salary Potential: The average financial advisor salary in the United States is $116,648 as of February 27, 2023. 

Skills needed: This career can be a good match if you have a particular interest in math and accounting or a background in teaching topics related to those subjects. 

14. Writer 

Writers create all types of content, including blogs, research articles, brochures, instruction manuals, short stories, advertisements, and more. 

Salary Potential: The average freelance content writer salary in the United States is $55,907 as of February 27, 2023.

Skills needed: Since teaching requires strong writing skills, many find this to be a natural transition.

15. Corporate Trainer 

Corporate trainers support learning and development. However, instead of working with students in a classroom, corporate trainers work with employees in a professional setting to promote their career growth.

Salary Potential: The average corporate trainer salary in the United States is $59,728 as of February 27, 2023. The salary range typically falls between $52,328 and $67,867. 

Skills needed: Interpersonal skills, as well as an enthusiasm for teaching are required for this role as corporate trainers work with people on a daily basis.

16. Tour Guide

Tour guides serve as educators for museums, cities, or regions, which is why this path can be a natural fit for some teachers. these professionals keep guests engaged while leading them through exhibits, explaining their significance, and answering questions. 

Salary Potential: The average tour guide salary in the United States is $34,011 as of February 27, 2023.

Skills needed: Organization, leadership, communication, and detail oriented memory to relay information to groups of attendees.

17. HR Specialist

HR specialists are in charge of anything related to staffing—including recruiting, interviewing, and screening applicants for a company. Similar to teaching, HR specialists work with a variety of personalities and learning types when it comes to training new hires. 

Salary Potential: The average HR Specialist salary in the United States is $62,544.

Skills needed: Many of the interpersonal skills used in teaching translate to careers in human resources (HR).

18. Digital Marketer

Digital marketers have many responsibilities, including writing words and phrases for marketing content, establishing a brand voice, collaborating with other team members, and brainstorming new marketing initiatives. Schools, businesses, and nonprofits all require marketing, which can make the transition simple. 

Salary Potential: The average marketing specialist salary in the United States is $75,017. 

Skills needed: It could be an easy transition from teaching if you taught business, communications, or creative writing, as many companies look for people who possess these skills.

19. Registered Nurse 

With extra schooling, you could be ready for an in-demand nursing career that utilizes many of the skills you already have. Registered nurses provide essential treatment and care to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.

Salary Potential: The average salary for a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States is between $60,450 and $108,410 as of February 27, 2023. 

Skills needed: Similar to teachers, registered nurses (RNs) need to be empathetic, detail-oriented, and emotionally resilient.

20. Event Planner 

Event planners coordinate all the moving parts of events, including weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, award ceremonies, and more.

Salary Potential: The average meeting/event planner salary in the United States is $70,499.

Skills needed: Teachers can put their planning skills to good use when booking venues, arranging transportation, and coordinating with vendors. If you’ve planned school events, this is an extra bonus!

21. Museum Education Director 

Museum Education Directors are tasked with making sure visitors are engaged in learning experiences that relate to the museum’s collection. 

Salary Potential: The average museum director salary in the United States is $51,132 as of February 27, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $43,639 and $61,375.

Skills needed: The top skill needed is client communication. You’ll also want to be skilled in organizing schedules, calls, and meetings.

22. Customer Success Manager 

CSM positions are great jobs for former teachers, especially within education companies. Customer success relies on relationship building. Customer success is a proactive role that ensures that the customer is happy and using the product to its full potential. 

Salary Potential: The base salary for customer success manager ranges from $98,438 to $139,026 with the average base salary of $116,490. 

Skills needed: You’ll want to have a passion for storytelling, history, and connecting with the curious of any age, this position can be a great use of your teaching skills.

23. Project Manager

Project managers are team leaders that help companies meet their objectives. They use productivity software to help them delegate responsibilities and set goals.

Salary Potential: The 2023 average project manager salary in the US is $137,700.

Skills needed: If you are highly motivated and organized, creating schedules, and providing leadership and guidance to teams, this may be a great fit for you.

24. Learning & Development Specialist

Learning and development specialists create and implement courses. Additionally, they spend time planning, creating, and improving training courses designed to help new employees transition smoothly into their roles.

Salary Potential: The average learning and development specialist salary in the United States is $67,330 as of February 27, 2023.

Skills needed: Lesson plan analysis, curricula development, lesson plan design, communication.

25. Non-profit Professional

Non-profits require many different types of positions to operate properly. Common examples include management positions, accounting, digital media, and communications.

Salary Potential: The average non-profit program support specialist I salary in the United States is $50,400 as of February 27, 2023.

Skills needed: A passion for helping others, and depending on your area of expertise, you may need skills in fundraising, community involvement, or math.

26. College Consultant 

A college consultant helps students get admitted to college. They also often help applicants tailor and submit their application based on the specific requirements of the school. 

Salary Potential: The average higher education consultant salary in the United States is $61,701 as of January 26, 2023. 

Skills needed: You must have skills in creative writing, communication, patients, and attention to detail.

27. Social Worker 

Clinical social workers can diagnose and treat behavioral and mental health disorders.  Social work is all about focusing on supporting those who struggle, especially those from underprivileged groups. 

Salary Potential: The average social worker (MSW) salary in the United States is $69,356. 

Skills needed: Empathy, patience, understanding, communication, research and analysis skills.

28. Speech Therapist

Speech therapists help people communicate, as well as swallow, drink, and eat. Some might assist children with slow development, and others might help adults who have lost their ability to speak due to an illness or accident. 

Salary Potential: The average speech therapist salary in the United States is $89,293 as of February 27, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $81,913 and $96,973. 

Skills needed: You will need to embody empathy, understanding, patience, clear communication, and annunciation.

29. Fundraiser 

Fundraisers help organizations (such as universities, non-profits, or community centers) raise money. This may entail community building, speaking, cold calling, and partnership building. 

Salary Potential: The average fundraiser salary in the United States is $63,980 as of February 27, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $54,241 and $75,454. 

Skills needed: As a fundraiser, you’ll need to be able to build rapport with potential donors, cultivate relationships, communicate, and secure funding.

30. Publicist 

A publicist helps individuals and companies polish their brand and public image. You might work with artists, writers, corporations, financial institutions, government departments, or schools. 

Salary Potential: The average publicist salary in the United States is $50,676 as of February 27, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $45,746 and $59,978. 

Skills needed: If you enjoy communication and the organizational aspects of your teaching job, becoming a publicist might be a great fit!

31. Public Speaking Coach 

 A public speaking coach uses a public speaking expertise to teach that to others who want to improve their own speaking skills.

Salary Potential: The average public speaker salary in the United States is $94,066 as of February 27, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $82,991 and $105,674. 

Skills needed: You’ll need to have an expertise in public speaking, communication, and student engagement.

32. Museum Curator 

 As a museum or exhibition curator, you will work hands-on with bringing educational and engaging exhibitions to life. Museum curators curate information and exhibit pieces to put together cohesive museum exhibits.

Salary Potential: in the United States. The base salary for museum curator ranges from $54,408 to $76,521 with the average base salary of $63,751. 

Skills needed: You’ll need to have relationship building skills to call upon vendors, art history knowledge, and an eye for visuals and aesthetics. You’ll also need project management skills

33. Translator/Interpreter 

Interpreters provide more effective communication methods for non-English speakers. 

Salary Potential: The average translator salary in the United States is $56,972 as of February 27, 2023.

Skills needed: Interpreters must demonstrate excellent language skills, cultural competence, empathetic listening, and may require specialized knowledge for a specific industry or field depending on the translation requirements and technical terms.

34. Editor 

Editors typically develop manuscripts, research, edit pieces, fact check, copy edit, rewrite, proofread, and index. You might work in a publishing house, a business, or an organization. 

Salary Potential: The average editor salary in the United States is $75,091 as of February 27, 2023. 

Skills needed: Editors must be detail oriented, have writing skills, grammar skills, punctuation skills, and must be comfortable reading extensive amounts of text.

35. Executive Assistant 

Executive assistants provide administrative support to executives. Their work involves scheduling appointments, making phone calls, planning travel arrangements, responding to emails, conducting data entry, and sometimes planning meetings or events. 

Salary Potential: The average executive assistant I salary in the United States is $65,851. 

Skills needed: Executive assistants must have excellent communication skills and superior organizational skills, and must be well-versed in technology and remote work since this job requires the employee too assist others across geographical boundaries.

36. Librarian 

Librarians research, digitize archives, connect people to technology, and work with the day-to-day administrative tasks of keeping a library going. They can work in museums, public and private libraries, colleges, schools, businesses, hospitals, or universities. 

Salary Potential: The average librarian salary in the United States is $68,274 as of February 27, 2023.

Skills needed: Librarians must be detail oriented, must have exceptional organization skills, must be excellent at researching, and must be tech savvy.

37. Therapist 

A therapist holds a master’s degree in a field related to psychotherapy. As a therapist, you work with clients to understand their feelings, thoughts, action, emotions, coping skills, or fears.

Salary Potential: The average mental health therapist salary in the United States is $64,149 as of February 27, 2023. 

Skills needed: Therapists must be active listeners, have great communication, empathy, and problem solving skills.

38. Fitness Coach 

If you’re passionate about helping others achieve their health and wellness goals, you should consider becoming a health and fitness coach.

Fitness coaches build relationships with clients and help develop specialized meal plans and workout routines. 

Salary Potential: The average fitness instructor salary in the United States is $44,906 as of February 27, 2023.

Skills needed: To excel in this position, you must demonstrate health and fitness knowledge, strong interpersonal leadership skills, energy and commitment, and a solutions-oriented approach.

39. Leadership coach 

Leadership coaches work one-on-one (or in group settings) with clients, to help them improve the way they lead other people. They might work privately or for an organization/corporation.

Salary Potential: The average executive coach salary in the United States is $105,214 as of February 27, 2023. 

Skills needed: Leadership coaches must be excellent at leadership, communication, problem solving, and must have active listening skills.

40. Textbook Author 

A textbook author creates educational material to be used in textbooks. Authors typically write book outlines, develop content, and add lesson or review questions at the end.  

Salary Potential: The salary range for a textbook writer job is from $44,633 to $66,655 per year in the United States. 

Skills needed: You should have writing, research, data analysis, and curriculum development skills.

41. Child Protective Services Worker 

A child protective services worker advises and counsels parents and children. They often visit children to assess their safety, plan for permanency, and discuss needs and progress. 

Salary Potential: The average Child Protective Service (CPS) salary in the United States is $57,207 as of February 27, 2023. 

Skills needed: A CPS worker must have empathy, problem solving, attention to detail, communication, and crisis management skills.

42. Graphic Designer 

Graphic designers create visual text and imagery concepts, communicate ideas to other teams, develop layouts, and produce designs. As a graphic designer, you might work independently as a freelancer or as an employee. 

Salary Potential: The average graphic designer salary in the United States is $105,262 as of February 27, 2023. 

Skills needed: Graphic designers must be tech savvy, have attention to detail, art skills, must have knowledge of color theory, and must be able to communicate effectively.

43. Journalist 

As a journalist, you can work for local, national, or international media outlets, in a niche that you’re interested in (sports, news, food, and so on). Journalists provide updated information on current events or trends in an industry. 

Salary Potential: The average journalist salary in the United States is $39,401 as of February 27, 2023, but the salary range typically falls between $32,401 and $50,801. 

Skills needed: Journalism requires research, analysis, communication, writing, and technical knowledge of the subject.

44. Accounting/ Bookkeeping

Accountants and bookkeepers are the keys to success for many businesses. Accountants and bookkeepers help manage business financial statements, track and analyze a business’s income and expenses, manage assets and liabilities in order to enact financial projections, and help with tax preparation. This can be particularly alluring if you have experience teaching math. 

Salary Potential: The average bookkeeper salary in the United States is $42,598 as of February 27, 2023.

Skills needed: Accountants and bookkeepers must be good with numbers, must be analytical, must be comfortable with accounting software, and must have good problem-solving skills to identify problems and articulate solutions to those problems.

45. Community Health Workers 

Community health workers promote wellness by helping people adopt healthy behaviors. 

Salary Potential: he average community health worker salary in the United States is $58,121. 

Skills needed: Community health workers must have strong communication and interpersonal skills, must be able to clearly educate others, and must be able to have strong advocacy skills to advocate for those who cannot advocate for themselves.

46. Camp Counselor

If you have fond memories of attending summer camp as a child, becoming a camp counselor may be the right move for you. Camp counselors provide guidance, oversee activities for campers, and ensure campers are having a blast.

Salary Potential: On average, camp counselors earn $49,234 per year.

Skills needed: A camp counselor must be able to have fun, provide leadership and guidance to children, must be able to manage schedules throughout the day, and must be able to keep children as safe as possible with basic first aid knowledge.

47. Professional Au Pair 

Au Pairs assist with taking care of the children, and adapt the job requirements based on each individual family’s needs.

However, most commonly, an au pair is a sitter who assists with playing with the children, preparing meals for them, taking them to and from scheduled appointments, and assisting with bathing and dressing as needed. 

Salary Potential: National Average Salary: $40,418/year, but depending on the family’s needs, if you’re a live-in au pair, you may be able to score free housing. 

Skills needed: An au pair must enjoy spending time with children, must be able to tend to their needs, must be able to play with children, and often requires some light cooking or meal preparation skills based on the family’s needs.

48. Data entry

If you’re one of those people who can type 200+ words per minute and enjoy working independently at your computer, a job in data entry could be a good fit. 

Salary Potential: just pull from the same place for all (ie salary.com) , but link to the source 

Skills needed: To be a strong candidate for data entry positions, you must be able to catch errors, show strong accuracy, demonstrate attention to detail, type quickly, and be knowledgeable about certain programs.

49. Transcriber

Transcribers help ensure efficient information processing for a variety of industries from medicine and science to history and nonprofit organizations. Transcribers listen to audio or video files and write down everything they hear. 

For more information on earning money transcribing, check out our guide to becoming a transcriptionist.  

Salary Potential: just pull from the same place for all (ie salary.com) , but link to the source 

Skills needed: Transcribers must possess attentive listening skills, and must type quickly and accurately with strong writing and grammar skills, and a sharp memory.

50. Remote Crisis Workers

Remote Crisis Workers to answer local and national crisis hotline calls, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. this is a job where someone can literally save lives by simply being there. They can counsel folks experiencing the most challenging moments of their lives. 

Salary Potential: The average crisis intervention worker salary in the United States is $44,338 as of February 27, 2023.

Skills needed: Crisis workers must be understanding, provide a strong sense of emotional support, and have active listening skills.