You’re a teacher because you want to make a difference. You have knowledge to share and a knack for breaking down lessons in a way others understand. You’re patient and resourceful, and you have grit.
But you’re burned out. Teaching is a challenging profession, as you must invest your time, mind, and soul in the work. Education is hands-on and non-stop, and if you’re exhausted and ready for a change, that’s understandable.
You have a lot going for you as you look for a new job. The qualities and drive that led you to teach can transfer to many rewarding careers. And your earning potential might be higher in some industries, too.
If you’ve decided to switch professions, prepare yourself for a successful shift with this guide on fulfilling career changes for teachers.
3 common reasons for changing jobs
It can be tough to leave a career helping others. You may feel guilty about not staying in the practice or melancholy for letting go of a dream. But a job shift can be an opportunity to continue doing things you love — whether that’s helping others or sharing knowledge — from a different vantage point.
Here are some common reasons teachers make the switch.
1. Better pay
In 2022, the U.S. census reported that teachers are among society's highest-educated but lowest-paid members. Over 95% of K–12 teachers hold a bachelor’s degree and work full-time but earn average salaries of $55,000. A mobile app developer with the same education level makes almost double.
You might want to apply your skills and educational credentials to a role that pays better, especially amid rising costs of living. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, the consumer price index tripled from 2020 to 2021 alone.
This same 2023 report states that the hyperinflation Americans experience today hasn’t occurred since the 80s. This has increased the stark cost-of-living-to-pay ratio for many teachers, making a career change attractive to many educators.
2. Decreased job satisfaction
A 2022 report from Education Week states that teacher job satisfaction is at an all-time low. One of the contributing factors is the adjustment to the “new normal” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Post-pandemic, teachers’ stress levels are up, and students need more attention than ever, which is challenging to deliver in remote or hybrid approaches. Add these factors to an increasing workload, decreasing support, and post-COVID depression, and some teachers simply feel tapped. If you’ve reached your limit, you might seek greener pastures in a new career.
3. A desire to learn more
While making a leap to new work can be nerve-wracking initially, it also presents an opportunity to learn. Educators can apply teaching experience in roles that offer new challenges, like ed-tech jobs, or gain skills and enter a fresh field, like software development. Whatever route you choose, your professional development journey continues.
Transferable skills that support career changes for teachers
As a teacher, you have transferable skills that apply to any career, from great leadership and empathy to technical skills like writing and planning.
Here are a few abilities that’ll help you shine in your new role — and these are just a start:
- Communication and active listening: Strong communication skills are central to all jobs, and teachers are veritable maestros. You know how to actively listen to students, parents, and peers with an ear for the nuance in what the other person is saying. Students may not always explain themselves well, but you can translate what you hear into clear takeaways. Repurpose these skills in a new role by training others, running projects, or holding attention in a boardroom.
- Leadership: As an educator, you practice leadership on several levels. You head up a classroom of diverse minds, mentor peers, and likely play into participative leadership models at an organizational level. You can apply these skills as a manager in a corporate environment, a thought leader in an ed-tech role, or by holding another mentorship job, like tutoring or training.
- Specialized skills: Teachers often have niche knowledge in subjects like composition, math, and science that are transferable to a new role. If you’re a high-school chemistry teacher, you likely hold a bachelor’s degree in this area and can find work in a lab or as a junior chemical engineer. Or you could pursue a postgraduate degree and work as a college professor or researcher.
- Planning: As a teacher, you create complex lesson plans that meet standardized metrics and serve different types of learners. This level of planning and foresight is nothing short of project management. You can transfer this skill set to roles that focus heavily on planning, like consulting or managing software sprints. Whatever course you choose, your planning skills will ensure excellent organization and time management in your new role.
6 jobs for teachers leaving the classroom
Saying goodbye to the classroom doesn’t mean bidding farewell to the skills you honed there. Nor does it mean you can’t continue working in the education sector. This shift implies a potential salary boost, learning opportunities, and the excitement of joining a new team. Here are six roles where you can continue to do what you set out to: change lives.
1. Principal
One of the most natural jobs for former teachers is the role of a principal. These positions allow you to stay in the educational environment, just as an administrator. Your experience in the classroom and with teaching theory will help you make institutional decisions that benefit staff and students.
Among the new challenges you’ll take on are establishing a positive school culture, implementing board decisions, and ensuring quality educational programming.
You’ll need advanced qualifications to confront the demands of a school administrator head-on, so prepare to complete your master’s degree or doctorate, if you haven’t already. The investment in your education will pay off, as principal roles pay much higher than teaching ones, with an average salary of roughly $116,000.
2. Child psychologist
As a teacher, you’re knowledgeable regarding children’s wants and needs. Hone your skills by earning a doctorate and certifying as a psychologist before providing therapeutic services to children and their families. You’ll identify mental health conditions, teach coping mechanisms, and help children modulate their behaviors to enjoy better social relationships and educational experiences.
Child psychologists typically have expertise in a broad range of psychological issues, such as ADHD and disordered eating. You’ll touch the lives of children and their caretakers, which means you’ll learn to work not just with young people but adults.
Child psychology roles can be intensive and stressful, but if you set firm boundaries and maintain a healthy work-life balance, the job will bring more pros than cons. One of those perks is the salary, which averages around $100,000.
3. Educational consultant
Educational consulting is a popular alternative job for teachers who want to continue to apply classroom insights, just not in a hands-on role. Educational consultants help families match their child with the right school, propose solutions for learning environments or districts, and advise on curriculum development.
In this role, you’ll be able to work with organizations at all levels, from kindergartens to colleges. Consider earning a doctorate in education to take full advantage of this new work experience. Advanced credentials will boost your salary, too. That said, even base salaries are excellent, averaging around $107,000.
4. Nanny
Nannying is an ideal job for teachers leaving education who wish to continue positively influencing children. Caregivers do everything from preparing kids for school to making dinner for the whole family.
While every position is unique, because of your educational background, you’re a great asset regarding homework and mentorship. And your organization, planning, and time management skills won’t go to waste as you help manage the family schedule.
Nannying roles pay around the same as teaching ones, in the $50,000 range. But nannies for affluent families in urban areas can earn far more, sometimes in the six-digit range. And you may receive other perks, like paid travel, a room, and meals.
5. Event planner
As a teacher, you know how to create complicated months-long plans, balance the needs of a group, and complete tasks on time. You’re great at listening to what others want and setting realistic expectations. Another perk? You’re likely an early riser.
All these characteristics make you an excellent candidate for event planning. In this role, you’ll meet with clients hosting events like conferences or weddings and turn their ideas into realities. This involves coordinating with service providers and suppliers, scouting venues, and ensuring everything goes to plan day-of.
Event planning is the ideal role for someone who enjoys the extroverted nature of classroom work and delights in seeing others succeed. Only now, that success will be helping a person pull off their perfect big day.
You’ll likely enjoy a boost in earnings in this role, too. Average annual earnings for event planners are on par with teaching ones (about $58,750), but if you enter the luxury niche, your salary can soar over $80,000. And your overhead is low since you can work from home.
6. Software developer
Software development might not be the first alternative career path that comes to mind if you’re a former educator. But it’s an excellent job for teachers outside of education because you already have many soft skills the work requires, like a knack for project planning, transparent communication, and meeting guidelines and success metrics.
And you won’t necessarily have to return to school to gain the hard skills for the work. You can use self-directed learning techniques or attend an express certification program. Many tech companies are open to hiring candidates that don’t have a degree in the field. Plus, software development pays well, with national averages around $120,000, and it’s an in-demand role, so your job security is solid.
Change is a good thing
If you’re burned out or simply feeling ready for a professional shift, one of the above career changes for teachers might do you good — and let you continue to do good for others. Burnout can negatively impact your physical and emotional health, and before serving others, you must ensure your wellness. And a job shift can also improve your earning potential, offer stimulating new learnings, and allow you to shake off the stress of a teaching career. All these points enhance your quality of life, and when you pour from a full cup, you give your best to others.
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