Highest Paying Jobs in Education

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Clare Aririahu
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To become an educator is a task that one should go into, bearing in mind that your first responsibility is not to make millions but how you can impact lives meaningfully. Most teachers are underpaid, yet the most overworked. The salary of the best positions in education cannot be compared to an average CEO’s salary, even though they (educators) might be working harder.

The first instinct for choosing an educational profession is nothing but the love of caring, learning, and impacting the lives of children, youths, and adults, knowing that our future leaders are within the four walls of the school. However, it does not mean that educators do not desire to advance in their careers, receive higher remuneration, and land better opportunities.

While some are in the classrooms, shaping the lives of the learners, others are assuming the administrative roles to become proprietors, principals, departmental heads and administrators. Whatever option they choose, it would never end in regrets. Moreover, educational roles are always in high demand, reason educators should also strive to earn higher degrees in the field.

Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) were very helpful in computing the various positions in the education field. The following positions are the top ten:

  1. Superintendent

A superintendent in education is a leader who is in charge of the whole school in the district, who strives to make sure that the goals set by the school board, in relation to education, are achieved. Although the role is quite challenging as with other top leadership roles, it offers amazing opportunities to educators to advance in their career and also help in making the educational field a lucrative one.

To attain the position of superintendent, you must acquire a master’s degree in education administration and leadership. You will be required to make and implement plans across the schools in the district.

The salary expectation for a superintendent is dependent on the country, state, or district he or she is involved in. Nevertheless, you can expect to earn between $98 750 and $56 000 per annum.

  1. University or College Administrator

A university or college administrator is faced with the responsibility of running the day-to-day activities of the school. Both when things are normal and there is a little crisis experienced within the school, an administrator must keep up with the challenges facing him. He or she focuses on tasks such as budgeting, organizing events, appropriation of disciplinary actions, and public relations.

He must possess strong administrative and leadership skills in order to handle the challenges associated with the job easily. A master’s degree or PhD in education and at least five years’ work experience are needed to be offered the role.

The basic salary for this position is around $61 000 per year, as you advance in your career, you can earn as little as $94 340 and as high as $128 000 per annum.

  1. Chief Academic Officer

A chief academic officer is in charge of directing, planning, and coordinating programs at colleges or universities. He is also known as the director of education. He researches and develops academic courses for schools. After creating the courses, he monitors their progress and responds to complaints from the students or faculty members.

The least qualification for the position is a master’s degree in educational administration. Nevertheless, a doctorate degree might be the basic requirement by some schools. The average annual salary for the position of chief academic officer is $117 541.

  1. Principal

The role of a principal is beyond just heading a school, though the major focus is on the school. A principal has the duty to talk to a parent with regard to the educational ability of the child. He or she also hires appropriate teachers for each class or subject and engages in the teaching process to ensure that the students are impacted with the right teaching approach.

In addition, his position entails that he focuses on the efficient and effective running of the school. He also takes interest in ensuring the school meets the educational standards of the district or state.

To become a principal, you need to have a master’s degree in education and administration, as well as at least five years of teaching experience. He must also possess strong communication, administrative, and leadership skills and the ability to keep up with details. Oftentimes, a principal requires some level of teaching experience before being promoted to the level of a vice principal, then, a principal. To help him run the school smoothly, a vice-principal is needed to work closely with him.

The average annual income of a principal is between $70 000 and $138 000, while that of a vice-principal is between $59 000 and 130 000.

  1. College or University Professor

A professor in a college or university is involved with the role of teaching the students. This is the highest teaching position you can ever get to. To become a professor, you need to be specialized in one area of interest.

The roles of a professor include preparing the course material, teaching students, and grading their performance during tests or examinations. In some schools, he takes on research work in his field in order to contribute to the academic community and the world as a whole. Professors could also publish their work in professional journals.

A minimum of a master’s degree in a specific field is required to qualify for the job. However, in order to climb the career ladder faster and earn a higher income, a doctorate degree is necessary.

The average salary per annum of a professor is $78 470, while high level salary is up to $175 000.

  1. High School Teachers

The position of a high school teacher is a very delicate position. He or she must have a close relationship with the students and help in other areas beyond teaching. As teenagers, the students might show a level of stubbornness, reason the teacher should buckle down for the challenge ahead before applying for such a position.

In addition, a high school teacher prepares his lesson note ahead of the classroom and teaches the students based on the content of the note. Their subjects are mostly specialized; it could be one subject per teacher, depending on the size of the school. He or she also grades the students’ work based on their performance. More so, they prepare them ahead of the next stage, either to go to the college or to acquire a skill.

A bachelor’s degree and certification are required to qualify for a high school teacher and their salary expectation is on the average of $60 320 per annum.

  1. Postsecondary Administrators

A postsecondary administrator may work in a secondary school, college or university. They handle managerial responsibilities, ranging from admission issues, residential life or multicultural affairs. They also perform research and gather data about a wide array of policies. They create promotional materials, meet with prospective students and offer relevant advice to them, while responding to their questions.

In some schools, they may handle the budget, develop policies for the school and help students in need of financial aid. In a typical day, they may help students with issues relating to the academic, personal or housing issues.

The general requirement for this position is a master’s or doctorate degree in education. He may also take some course to qualify for the position aside the degree. A postsecondary administrator earns an average of $94 340 per year.

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  1. Instructional Coordinators

An instructional coordinator is involved in researching different curriculum and instructional methods. They develop academic courses and ensure their enforcement.

 While their role is student-oriented, they could also create programs for educators by choosing the right textbooks, picking instructional materials, and measuring the students’ performance.

They will need a master’s degree in education and some work experience in related positions. Their average annual salary is $64 450 per annum.

  1. Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers help students with special needs to gain the right skills necessary to help them cope better with life. The position is challenging, yet rewarding. Such special needs students often have specific challenges individually. Some of them have mild challenges and with a little help, may be able to keep up with other students. Others may suffer from severe cases and may require special attention to help them learn basic skills.

A bachelor’s degree with appropriate certification and licensure may be needed to qualify for this position.

The salary range for special education teachers is between $39 000 and $97 000 per annum.

  1. Elementary School Teachers

Working with pupils and young children as a primary school teacher is a very exciting task. Nothing gives more joy than teaching and nurturing the children as they progress in their learning abilities. The teachers do not teach specific subjects in primary school. Their subjects are multiple, even though they specialized in one course during their college days. They need loads of patience to handle the needs of the pupils in order to bring out the best in them. This is why their position is a very challenging one, yet their reward is invaluable.

To be qualified for the position of a primary school teacher, you will need a bachelor’s degree in elementary education or related subjects. You may also be required to obtain a state-issued certification.

The salary expectation of an elementary school teacher depends on the location. However, the median salary is around $57 980 per annum, though it can be as high as $95 200 per annum as you gain more experience. The reason for the fluctuating salary range for educators includes the level of education, year of service, and state or district. Being an educator is a very interesting task as you will meet and interact with or teach diverse learners while attending to their individual academic or non-academic needs. What is more important in taking up positions in education is in deriving job satisfaction.

This post was last modified on August 2, 2022 5:26 pm

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