Education is one of the most prosperous and growing sectors in the whole world and currently, this sector presents a huge number of job opportunities that most people are aware of.
Teaching isn’t the only job option in this sector; there are plenty of educational jobs to choose from like career advisor, counselor, higher education lecturer, academic librarian etc.
In fact, it offers challenging and exciting career options which requires highly skilled individuals to meet their employers desired high levels.
If you’re considering working in the educational sector, it would be helpful to see the wide range of roles available for example, Dean, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Financial Aid Administrator etc.
That’s exactly what this post will show you! The skills and careers available in this sector.
Misconceptions About Jobs in Education
The education sector is a thriving business and industry.
Shouldn’t this booming business result in exciting job opportunities for those who want to built up their career in this sector?
Well, yes. But there are some strange misconceptions about the field of education including:
- The educational sector has only teaching jobs or is for teachers
- The education field require a master’s degree or a degree in education
- They don’t pay well
- They have no career path
- Some even feel that jobs in the educational field are only for women! (Wrong, obviously!)
So through this article, we will demonstrate the different types of jobs in education field.
Early Years Jobs in Education
In the educational sector, jobs begin at the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Individuals working in this area are charged to look after the care and the development of the kids from their birth up to the age of five years.
The jobs available in this field are listed below:
- Nursery manager
- Nursery worker
- Kindergarten and elementary school teacher
- Head mistress
- Assistant principal
- Learning manager
- Nanny
- Childcare Centre Director
- Childcare worker
- School Counselor
- Psychologist
- Early year workers / Assistants
- Classroom Assistants
- Preschool Lead Teachers
Primary Education Jobs
This is the first stage which is traditionally found in formal education.
This area is mostly popular for those individuals who are looking for a teaching career but there are other roles outside of the school (and within the school) besides teachers.
It aims to develop basic numeracy and book learning and reading skills in children.
Primary school education for children begins at the age of about 5-7 (infants) and ends at the age of about 11-12 (junior) when they go off to high school.
The jobs available in this field are listed below:
- Primary School Teacher
- Language Teacher
- Subject wise Teacher (English, Mathematics, Science, EVS etc)
- School Bus Driver
- School counselor
- Guidance counselor
- Principal
- Vice principal
- School Secretary
- Teaching Assistant
- Special Education Teachers
- School Auditor
- School administrators
- Backup Teachers
- School Program
- Before School Program Teachers
- After School Program Teachers
- Before and After School Program Registraar
- Receptionists
- Caretaker
Secondary Education Jobs
This is the post primary educational phase (high school or middle school) which handles the development of the children in their young age (the most rapid phase of the physical, emotional and mental development).
It begins after the age of about 11-13 and ends at the age of about 15-17.
The jobs available in this field vary too and aren’t just limited to secondary school teachers, special course teacher, tutors etc.
The roles are similar to the above primary education roles, so see that list above but besides those, you may find:
- High school teachers
- Career Counselor
- School Psychologist
High School Teachers: Salary, number of jobs, growth, qualifications and more statistics from the U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
| 2021 Median Pay | $61,820 per year |
| Typical Entry-Level Education | Bachelor’s degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 | 998,800 |
| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 8% (As fast as average) |
| Employment Change, 2020-30 | 78,200 |
Higher Education Jobs
It is the third level of education in which the student leaves their high school and takes a step towards higher studies aka College.
This area deals with students studying in universities and colleges, especially to degree levels including the bachelor’s degree and master’s degree – as well as the PhD.
So, this phase begins at or after the age of 18 years when high school is over.
There are multiple jobs available in this area; some of them are listed below:
- Deans
- Associate and Assistant professors
- Educational consultants / counselors
- Academic librarian
- Disability advisor
- Admission Assistants
- Registrar
- Coach
- Career counselor
- Advisor
- Admission Assistants
- Analyst
- Academic Support Coordinator
- Instructor
- Education Specialist
- Youth Care Worker
- Part time faculty
- Sales and Marketing Intern
- Academic counselor
- Research Assistants
- Lab Assistants
- Project Manager
- Teachers
PostSecondary Education Teachers: Salary, number of jobs, growth, qualifications and more statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
| 2021 Median Pay | $79,640 per year |
| Typical Entry-Level Education | Master’s Degree or PhD |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | Depends on Subject/Role |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 | 1,276,900 |
| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 12% (Faster than average) |
| Employment Change, 2020-30 | 156,700 |
Alternative Careers and Jobs in Education
Besides the formal education field and typical school teachers roles, there are a ton of varying alternative careers in education, many don’t require a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree (though, some will).
Educational Mental Health Practitioner Jobs in Education
EMHP’s works in the education and healthcare sector as they provide mental support to the students as well as the young people of the colleges and universities.
They take care of the individual’s mental health utilising therapies, drug treatments or simply through communication or art.
As one can go for a variety of the job titles, you can also build up your career with the mental healthcare centers and institutes.
Some of the jobs available in this field are listed below:
- Education Welfare officer
- Educational psychologists
- Mental Health Counselor
- School Counselor
- Peer Specialist
- Clinical social worker
- Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatrist
- Learning Mentor
Salary, number of jobs, growth, qualifications and more statistics from the U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
| 2021 Median Pay | $60,510 per year $29.09 per hour |
| Typical Entry-Level Education | Master’s degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 | 322,000 |
| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | 11% (Faster than average) |
| Employment Change, 2020-30 | 37,000 |
Adult and Community Education Jobs
Adult education involves systematic self educating activities which help the student to gain extra knowledge, a new form of skills and activities to help with every day adult life.
A wide range of educational jobs are available in this area like a career in teaching, sports coaching, help students from different countries by teaching English etc.
Some of the Jobs offered in this field are listed below:
- Environmental education officers
- Other languages officers
- Customer Service Assistant
- Part time Adult education Instructor
- Adjunct faculty
- Foreign language teacher
- Community education officer
- Adult Education Supervisor
- Athletic Supervisor
- Programming and Education Assistant
- Adult Behavioral Health Case Manager
- Manager of International Student Programmes
- Product manager for Digital Education Students
It’s difficult to pinpoint a salary range and qualification requirements for this wide range of job roles, so do your research on any role that specifically interests you in this area, but below is the median annual for basic and secondary adult education:
Adult Basic and Secondary Education & ESL Teachers: Salary, number of jobs, growth, qualifications and more statistics from the U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
| 2021 Median Pay | $59,720 per year $28.71 per hour |
| Typical Entry-Level Education | Bachelor’s degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2020 | 48,300 |
| Job Outlook, 2020-30 | -5% (Decline) |
| Employment Change, 2020-30 | -2,400 |
Working in the Education Industry – Why Do it?
So the question arises here, “Why should I choose the Education Industry and look for jobs in education?”
Some of valid reasons for why a career in this sector is beneficial include:
- Education is all about helping students and development for the future generation. So it can be a rewarding field to build up your career in
- You will get plenty of job opportunities after entering the education world
- There will be stability in the individual’s life with little overtime and generally fixed working hours and times
- You will get a chance to develop young minds and build a bright future of the country by educating their young (or older!) students
Teaching Jobs – A Summary
- Teaching at school level
- Teaching for higher education
Non Teaching Jobs – A Summary
- Support staff (Maintaince staff, Cooks, Computer technicians, Bus drivers)
- Core staff (Counselors, Principal, Nurses, Librarians, Administrative assistants)
Other Jobs
- Corporate (HR specialists, Accountants, Marketing managers)
- Coaching (Academic, Non academic, Vocational)
- Support services (Curriculum development, startups)
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have concluded that the educational field has a lot to offer your career.
Many teachers and workers in the field of education say it’s the most rewarding thing they’ve done.
You have a number of options to go with based on your qualification, skills, needs and choices.
Depending on your best skills, such as management skills, organisation (for lesson plans as a classroom teacher and other roles) and others, you’ll have a bunch of national education careers and positions to choose from.
Educational qualifications and income both are closely correlated with each other, with higher degrees generally leading to higher salaries but a career in education isn’t out of reach if you don’t have an education degree, and you can see the various roles required.
Requirements will depend on your school districts, the school’s education policy, public and private school policies and the position/duties needed to be filled.
So always remember – “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”
