With thousands of people being employed every year in the education sector in the UK, it’s evident that this demanding industry is an ideal career choice for many.
And whether you want to inspire and craft children’s knowledge or simply like the idea of extra-long holidays, a job in education might be ideal for you. But that doesn’t necessarily mean teaching is your only option!
If standing in front of a blackboard all day just isn’t your kind of thing, there are many behind-the-scenes opportunities to choose from. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled this list of the best paying jobs in education so you don’t have to.
20. Teaching Assistant
Average salary: $22,450 / £18,810
A teaching assistant typically assists primary and high school teachers with their classes and grading. They also provide special attention to pupils that may need a bit of extra help. Many people in this role are either studying to become a teacher or are considering a career in the field. In order to become a teaching assistant, you’ll need GCSE grades A to C in maths and English and some relevant experience of working with children.
19. Nursery/Preschool Teacher
Average salary: $29,840 / £25,010
As an early years teacher, you’ll work with babies and toddlers between the ages of four months and five years, and you’ll be responsible for helping their development by using games and other visual elements to aid their learning. In order to excel in this position, you need a lot of patience, a calm nature and a creative flair, as well as a Level 3 qualification in childcare.
18. Private Tutor
Average salary: $34,600 / £30,680
If you prefer a one-to-one interaction with students rather than standing in front of a classroom, you could consider becoming a private tutor. To succeed in this profession, you must be extremely knowledgeable in your chosen subject and have a business mindset to network and manage and market your services. You could also be involved in home-schooling.
17. Online Teacher
Average salary: $35,440 / £29,710
In this digital age, more and more people are learning over the internet, such as through Skype, an education website or an online school like K12 – meaning, online vacancies are in constant demand. As an online teacher, you’ll have great flexibility in how and when you teach, but you’ll need to be make sure you carefully map out the syllabus for your class and deliver the information as clearly and concisely as possible.
16. Financial Aid Counsellor
Average salary: $37,090 / £31,090
You’ll typically find a financial aid counsellor working in a university or college, where they offer advice and guide registrants through the maze of paperwork by delivering and evaluating financial aid policies and procedures. If you want to follow this career path, you’ll need a relevant bachelor’s degree as a bare minimum.
15. Second Language Teacher
Average salary: $40,670 / £34,090
As a second language teacher, you’ll have the option to work with children and adults, either in an institution or privately. You’ll also have the opportunity to work abroad as part of a TEFL programme, where you’ll be able to teach English as a foreign language to non-native English speakers.
14. Primary School Teacher
Average salary: $42,560 / £35,670
Primary school teachers work with children that have just left preschool right up until they are ready to advance to high school. They prepare lessons based on the curriculum provided and aid them throughout the years, teaching them vital life skills as well as increasing their knowledge on important subjects. To become a primary school teacher and work for the Department of Education, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and a PGCE.
13. Band Director
Average salary: $46,620 / £39,110
If you love music and sharing your knowledge with others, why not follow a career as a band director? You’ll work with schools or colleges to create musical performances and help young adults and children follow their passion and advance their skills in the field.
12. High School Teacher
Average salary: $48,390 / £40,560
As a high school teacher, you’ll be responsible for teaching a specific subject to a class of teenagers. You’ll support, observe and record the progress of your students whilst also preparing them for higher education and their working life. This is where most pupils learn vital skills that they’re able to use throughout their lives, including communication and teamwork skills.
11. School Counsellor
Average salary: $48,730 / £40,840
School counsellors are responsible for listening and guiding children and teenagers who are facing various problems, ranging from academic to personal issues. They also provide one-on-one career and financial guidance for graduates and offer development plans for struggling pupils. In order to become a counsellor, you will need a master’s degree and to successful pass the relevant licensing exam.
10. Librarian
Average salary: $48,950 / £41,030
If you’re a self-proclaimed bookworm, this job is right up your alley! You’ll be involved in the management of a school library’s records and catalogue materials, while making sure resources are easily accessible for students. You might even have some downtime to read your favourite classics – and yes, this job does require a degree: one in library science.
9. Special Education Teacher
Average salary: $49,460 / £41,450
If you want to devote your work life to making a real change in people’s lives, this job is ideal for you. Special education teachers work with students that are diagnosed with physical or mental impairment, and they create specialised curriculums to meet the pupils’ goals and work with parents to monitor the students’ progress.
8. Training and Development Coordinator
Average salary: $56,450 / £47,320
Training and development coordinators focus on planning and creating new and improved training programmes to enhance the knowledge of the staff employed at the organisation. They ensure that teachers can adapt to new procedures and methods and test out their recommended programmes.
7. Speech Therapist
Average salary: $57,420 / £48,160
In this role, you’ll focus on improving people’s verbal communication skills and help prevent swallowing disorders in patients. You’ll need to have great interpersonal skills and be able to work with people from all walks of life, including trauma patients. To work in this role, you’ll usually need a master’s degree in speech therapy.
6. Curriculum Developer
Average salary: $59,500 / £49,880
Curriculum developers usually begin their careers as teachers but with experience can then advance to developing, testing and implementing a new curriculum for a specific subject. The job may also include teacher training, selection of textbooks and assessment and practice through student testing.
5. Superintendent
Average salary: $65,120 / £54,600
A superintendent is tasked with budgeting and managing the overall operations of a school. They oversee the curriculum and focus on their staff’s career advancement. A person applying for this role will need a doctorate in education and experience within a leadership role in an educational field.
4. Assistant Principal
Average salary: $70,750 / £59,320
As an assistant principal, you’ll be collaborating with the school principal on a day-to-day basis, carrying out general administrative tasks, enhancing teacher’s skills, promoting achievements and ensuring the safety of the facilities.
3. University Professor
Average salary: $87,550 / £73,400
A university professor is responsible for teaching the curriculum for a specific university degree. They will generally have years of experience in the field and an in-depth knowledge of the subject they’re teaching. Most universities require professors to have a PhD in their chosen subject.
2. School Principal
Average salary: $89,110 / £74,700
If you’ve worked in education for a long time and feel that you have the skills and knowledge to singlehandedly manage an entire school, you could consider applying for the role of school principal. You’ll generally be responsible for overseeing the operation of the school, while ensuring teachers are meeting guidelines and pupils are focusing on their advancement.
1. Academic Dean
Average salary: $91,210 / £76,560
In a university or college, the academic dean is the head of the organisation – similar to a school principal, they oversee the academic and student services and research initiatives. To be successful in this role, you’ll need heaps of experience and a doctorate behind you.
Landing any of these educational roles will require a well-structured résumé. Take a look at these teacher résumé samples next to get started.
Which role do you think you would you be best suited to? Let us know in the comments below…
Salary information is based on data compiled and published by PayScale.