Individuals who are thinking about changing careers in the near future are not alone. According to a 2024 report on work trends by Microsoft and LinkedIn, 46 percent of working professionals were considering leaving their jobs within the next year.
Among those thinking about changing careers are teachers, whose expertise and experience can enable them to succeed in any of an array of fields that extend beyond the traditional classroom. Careers for teachers outside of education — in fields that range from training and consulting to writing — offer opportunities for teachers to pursue new challenges and engage in work that offers them a fresh perspective.
Teachers who have earned an undergraduate degree in education or a graduate degree such as a Master of Education in Instruction have gained knowledge, skills and experience that they can apply in any of a number of roles.
Professionals who work in education make a difference in the lives of others, have the opportunity to inspire a new generation of learners and make a significant contribution to society. But people who work in education also acquire marketable knowledge and skills that can be useful if they want to pursue a career that goes beyond traditional teaching roles.
When people work in traditional education roles, they get the chance to develop skills in areas such as:
While all of these skills are beneficial in classroom teaching, they also can help people excel in a career outside of the classroom. In addition, teaching in a traditional classroom allows individuals to build their emotional intelligence and ability to collaborate, which can serve them well in pursuing another career.
People who have earned one of the many types of education degrees also have a solid educational foundation in subjects such as curriculum design, leadership, pedagogical theory and technology. They can capitalize on that expertise and use it when they move into a new career.
The classroom is far from the only place a teacher can work.
Teachers looking for a new opportunity can take their skills to a field that is related to education, such as:
Teachers also can apply their expertise in a field that is not related to education, such as:
It can be useful for teachers changing careers to consider how they might tell potential employers specifically how their teaching skills can transfer well to a new career. Citing examples of ways their teaching experience could be valuable in another field can help potential employers understand how they can benefit from the teacher’s expertise.
Outlined below are five examples of careers in education outside of the classroom that a teacher can pursue.
Training and development specialists create and implement training programs for an organization’s employees. They also may be charged with duties such as assessing the organization’s training needs or evaluating the results of its training programs. Teachers’ instructional and communication skills can be particularly helpful when working in this position.
Training and development specialists had a median annual salary of $64,340 as of May 2023 and are projected to see 12 percent job growth from 2023 to 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That growth rate is significantly higher than the BLS’s projection of 4 percent job growth across all occupations during the same time period.
For those educators who hold a Master of Education degree, becoming a curriculum developer could be a good career move. Curriculum developers create, review and improve course content for an educational, research or government organization. Teachers’ skills in working with a curriculum and in instruction are very beneficial in this role.
The BLS includes curriculum developers within the category of instructional coordinators who had a median annual salary of $74,620 as of May 2023. The BLS projects 2 percent job growth for instructional coordinators from 2023 to 2033.
Another good career for teachers outside of the classroom is as an educational consultant. Educational consultants apply their expertise to a wide range of functions related to education. For example, they can consult with a school district on ways to improve its educational programs, help its students and their parents with college application processes or integrate educational software into its curricula. Teachers’ communication and instructional skills can be particularly valuable in this role.
According to compensation website Payscale, educational consultants had a median annual salary of about $74,600 as of March 2025. The BLS projects 11 percent job growth for management analysts and consultants of all kinds from 2023 to 2033.
Human resources specialists screen and recruit new employees for an organization. They also can be responsible for areas such as employee training and managing employee relations. The communication and interpersonal skills that teachers have are important when working as a human resources specialist.
According to the BLS, human resources specialists had a median annual salary of $67,650 as of May 2023 and are expected to see 8 percent job growth from 2023 to 2033.
Technical writers create content that communicates and simplifies technical information. They write things such as user manuals and how-to content. Part of their job also entails gathering technical information and incorporating feedback into their work. Teachers’ writing, communication and organization skills can be helpful in technical writing positions.
As of May 2023, technical writers had a median annual salary of $80,050, according to the BLS. The BLS projects 4 percent job growth for technical writers from 2023 to 2033.
With the availability of many careers for teachers outside of the classroom, educators can pivot to a new career that offers them different ways to apply their expertise.
If pursuing a graduate degree in education is important to you, explore the Master of Education in Instruction degree program at Augusta University Online to learn how it can help you reach your career goals. Featuring coursework that provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in educational research, theory and practice, the program can help you gain competencies you can use in the classroom and beyond.
Start working to achieve your career goals in education today with AU Online.
Recommended Readings
4 Leadership Styles in Education
How to Become an Educational Consultant
What Is a Teacher Self-Assessment? Tools, Types and Benefits
Sources:
Devlin Peck, “15 Transferable Skills From Teaching (2025 Guide)”
Forbes, “Teachers, Here’s How to Successfully Change Careers After Burnout”
Hidden Gem Career Coaching, “27 Alternative Careers for Teachers”
Indeed, “26 Jobs for Teachers Outside of the Classroom”
Indeed, “How to Become a Curriculum Developer (With Tips)”
Microsoft and LinkedIn, “2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report”
My Contingent Plan, “How to Prepare for a Career Change Interview: Teachers”
Payscale, Average Educational Consultant Hourly Pay
Teachers of Tomorrow, “Should I Be a Teacher in 2025? 30 Top Reasons to Consider”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Human Resources Specialists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Instructional Coordinators
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Management Analysts
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Technical Writers
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Training and Development Specialists
We Are Teachers, “40+ Companies That Hire Former Teachers in 2024”
