Exploring Average Salaries in Education and Training Jobs
The field of education and training offers a diverse range of career paths, each with its own set of responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation levels. From preschool teachers to postsecondary professors, professionals in this sector play a crucial role in shaping the minds of individuals and preparing them for future success. This article delves into the average salaries for various education and training jobs, providing insights into the factors that influence earning potential and highlighting some of the most promising career options in this field.
Career and Technical Education Teachers
Career and technical education (CTE) teachers provide training in subjects such as auto repair, cosmetology, and culinary arts. CTE teachers help students explore and prepare to enter a career or technical occupation. They use a variety of teaching methods to help students learn and develop skills related to a specific occupation or career field, demonstrating tasks, techniques, and tools used in an occupation. They may assign hands-on tasks, such as replacing brakes on cars, taking blood pressure, or applying makeup. Some teachers work with local businesses and nonprofit organizations to provide practical work experience for students. The specific duties of CTE teachers vary by the grade and subject they teach. In postsecondary schools, they teach specific career skills that help students earn a certificate, a diploma, or an associate’s degree and prepare them for a specific job. For example, welding instructors teach students welding techniques and safety practices. In most states, teachers in middle and high schools teach one subject within major career fields. For example, teachers of courses in agricultural, food, and natural resources teach topics such as agricultural production; agriculture-related business; veterinary science; and plant, animal, and food systems. Technical education teachers demonstrate the theories and techniques of their field.
Employment and Work Environment
Career and technical education teachers held about 239,600 jobs in 2024. Most career and technical education teachers work in middle, high, and postsecondary schools, such as 2-year colleges. Others work in technical, trade, and business schools. Career and technical education teachers in middle and high schools generally work during school hours. Teachers usually work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. They also have a short midwinter break.
Required Qualifications and Skills
Teachers need years of experience in their field of expertise. Career and technical education teachers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and work experience in the subject they teach. Many career and technical education teachers need work experience in the field they teach. States may require career and technical education teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified. Career and technical education teachers who prepare students for an occupation that requires a license or certification may need to have and maintain the same credential. For example, career and technical education teachers who teach welding may need to have certification in welding. Some states offer an alternative route to certification or licensure for prospective teachers who have a bachelor’s degree or work experience in their field but lack the education courses required for certification.
Advancement Opportunities
Teachers may become school counselors, instructional coordinators, or principals. These positions generally require additional education, an advanced degree, or certification.
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Essential Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties.
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Patience
- Resourcefulness
Average Salary
The median annual wage for career and technical education teachers was $62,910 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Some demand for these workers is expected over the projections decade due to continued interest in career and technical education programs. In addition, public schools often depend on government funding for career and technical education programs.
Training and Development Specialists
Training and development specialists help create, plan, and run training programs for businesses and organizations. To do this, they must first assess the needs of an organization. Training and development specialists organize or run training sessions using lectures, team exercises and other formats. Training also may be in the form of a video, a self-guided instructional manual, or an online application. They spend much of their time working with people, giving presentations, and leading training activities.
Employment and Work Environment
Training and development specialists held about 452,300 jobs in 2024. Training and development specialists spend much of their time working with people, giving presentations, and leading training activities.
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Required Qualifications and Skills
Training and development specialists must have strong instructional skills to meet the learning needs of a particular group. Training and development specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree and related work experience. Training and development specialists typically need a bachelor’s degree, often in a business field such as organizational development or human resources. Candidates who do not have a bachelor’s degree sometimes qualify for jobs if they have experience developing and delivering training. Related work experience is important for most training and development specialists. Employers also may prefer to hire candidates who have work experience in a relevant industry or with virtual learning, mobile training, and technology-based tools. Although not usually required, certification shows professional expertise and credibility. However, some employers prefer to hire certified candidates, and some positions require certification.
Advancement Opportunities
Training and development specialists may advance to training and development manager or human resources manager positions.
Essential Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties.
- Analytical skills
- Collaboration skills
- Communication skills
- Creativity
- Instructional skills
Average Salary
The median annual wage for training and development specialists was $65,850 in May 2024.
Job Outlook
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. As technology continues to advance, workers may need to learn new skillsets to use these technologies in their jobs.
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Postsecondary Teachers
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. Postsecondary teachers, often referred to as professors or faculty, specialize in a variety of subjects and fields. At colleges and universities, professors are organized into departments by degree field, such as history, science, or business. A professor may teach one or more courses within that department. Postsecondary teachers’ duties vary, often based on the size of their employing institution. In large colleges or universities, they may teach courses, conduct research or experiments, publish original research, apply for grants to fund their research, or supervise graduate teaching assistants. Full-time professors, particularly those who have tenure (that is, they cannot be fired without just cause), often are expected to devote a great deal of time on original research. Tenured professors must document their analyses or critical reviews and publish their research findings. Professors may teach large classes of several hundred students (often with the help of graduate teaching assistants), smaller classes of about 40 to 50 students, seminars with a few students, or laboratories in which students practice the subject matter. Most classes are held during the day, but some are held on nights and weekends.
Employment and Work Environment
Postsecondary teachers held about 1.4 million jobs in 2024. Postsecondary teachers often find it rewarding to share their expertise with students and colleagues. However, it may be stressful, especially for beginning teachers seeking advancement, to balance teaching duties with an emphasis on research and publication. Most postsecondary teachers work full time, although part-time work is common. Postsecondary teachers who work part time may offer instruction at several colleges or universities. Some have a full-time job in their field of expertise in addition to a part-time teaching position. Academic calendars typically include breaks, such as between terms. The availability and type of course offerings during the summer vary by institution. Postsecondary teachers’ schedules generally are flexible.
Required Qualifications and Skills
Institutions may prefer to hire those with teaching or other work experience. Educational requirements vary with the subject taught and the type of educational institution. Typically, postsecondary teachers must have a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree in their field. However, a master's degree may be enough for some postsecondary teachers at community colleges. Postsecondary teachers who work for 4-year colleges and universities typically need a Ph.D. or other doctorate in their field of degree. Doctoral programs usually take several years to complete, and students typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree to enroll. Most Ph.D. programs require students to write a doctoral dissertation, a paper presenting original research in their field of study, which they then defend in questioning from experts. Community colleges may hire those with a master’s degree. In some fields, such as health specialties, art, law, and education, hands-on work experience is especially important. In other fields, such as biological science, physics, and chemistry, some postsecondary teachers have postdoctoral research experience. Postsecondary teachers who prepare students for an occupation that requires a license, certification, or registration, may need to have-or may benefit from having-the same credential. Postsecondary teachers with a doctoral degree often seek tenure-a guarantee that a professor cannot be fired without just cause. Attaining tenure may take up to 7 years of progressing through the positions by rank: assistant professor, associate professor, and professor.
Advancement Opportunities
Some professors advance to high-level administrative positions, such as dean or president.
Essential Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties.
- Critical-thinking skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Resourcefulness
- Speaking skills
- Writing skills
Average Salary
The median annual wage for postsecondary teachers was $83,980 in May 2024. Wages vary by institution type.
Job Outlook
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Projected employment of postsecondary teachers varies by occupation. The number of people attending postsecondary institutions is expected to grow over the projections decade. Students will continue to seek higher education to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to meet their career goals. As more people enter colleges and universities, more postsecondary teachers will be needed to serve these additional students. Colleges and universities are likely to hire more part-time teachers to meet this demand. A growing number of older people, who are more likely than young people to need medical care, will create increased demand for healthcare. However, despite expected increases in enrollment, employment growth in public colleges and universities will depend on state and local government budgets.
Other Education and Training Roles
Beyond the specific categories detailed above, the broader education sector encompasses a multitude of roles, each contributing to the overall learning ecosystem. These positions offer varying levels of responsibility and compensation, making it essential to consider individual skills, interests, and career aspirations when exploring opportunities.
School Principals
A school principal is a crucial position in the education system, responsible for overseeing all aspects of a school's operations. From managing curriculums and budgets to hiring and training staff, school principals play a vital role in creating a positive learning environment. Starting as a teacher and gradually working your way up to a leadership position can pave the way for a successful career as a school principal.
University and College Administrators
University and college administrators are responsible for the smooth functioning of educational institutions. They handle a diverse range of tasks, including admissions, residential life, event organization, budget management, and public relations.
Private Tutors
California has a competitive academic environment due to the large number of top-tier institutions. This landscape has driven both parents and students to seek the expertise of private tutors to gain an edge in key subjects and on standardized tests. Private tutors can work full-time or part-time and they help students achieve their academic goals. To become a private tutor, a high school diploma is required, but many parents prefer a tutor certification.
Instructional Coordinators
Instructional coordinators are responsible for developing and implementing curriculums in educational institutions. They work closely with principals and teachers to ensure educational standards are maintained and make necessary changes when needed. A bachelor's degree in education, instructional design, or a related field is often required.
Special Education Teachers
Special education teachers play a vital role in supporting students with disabilities. To become a special education teacher, a bachelor's degree in special education and special certification in teaching are typically required. However, certifications can be sufficient for minimum qualifications.
Librarians
Librarians play a crucial role in helping students navigate libraries, find information, and conduct research. They also manage library resources, plan programs, and assist teachers with research and lesson planning.
High School Teachers
High school teachers work with students aged 14-18, planning and teaching lessons, preparing students for exams, and supervising extracurricular activities. They typically specialize in one subject area and require a bachelor's degree in that field.
Curriculum Developers
Curriculum developers are responsible for designing and implementing educational programs and materials. They collaborate with teachers and administrators to create effective curriculum that aligns with educational standards and meets the needs of students.
Elementary School Teachers
Elementary school teachers play a vital role in laying the foundation for a child's education. They teach various subjects, create engaging lesson plans, and help students develop essential skills.
Salary Variations Among Teachers
Among teachers working in elementary, middle, and high schools, annual pay varies by the grade level taught. In 2024, preschool teachers made the least, earning around $52,800 annually. High school teachers made the most at around $64,700 per year. In other words, teachers of the oldest students earned about 22.5% more than those teaching the youngest.
Teacher salaries also differ between public and private schools. In 2024, teachers in public schools earned a median wage of $64,000 per year, while teachers in private schools earned $57,600. These differences may reflect how the two types of schools are funded and managed. Public schools receive funding from federal, state, and local governments and are often required to meet state certification and pay standards for teachers. Private schools rely more on tuition and other private sources of funding and may have different certification requirements for their teachers.
Pay also varies by specialization. Teachers of students with disabilities (collected in the data as “special education”), earn more than general education teachers at every grade level in the United States. In 2024, the median wages for teachers of students with disabilities ranged from 4% to 19% higher than those of other teachers at the same grade level.
The largest difference for teachers of students with disabilities was at the preschool level, where they earned $62,700 per year compared to $52,800 for other preschool teachers, a 19% difference.
Some schools, primarily middle and high schools, also employ technical teachers. These teachers provide vocational and technical training in fields such as automotive repair, culinary arts, cosmetology, and information technology, to help students develop career skills. In 2024, their median wages were $63,600 at the middle school level and $64,000 at the high school level, similar to those of general education teachers at the same levels.
Teacher pay varies across states, reflecting differences in local policies, funding, and labor markets. Among states, preschool teachers earn the highest median salary in Alaska at $75,400 and the lowest in Utah at $34,900. High school teachers earn the highest median salary in Washington state at $99,600 and the lowest in Oklahoma at $49,200.
Teacher salaries don’t always tell the full story when comparing across states. A higher wage in one state might not stretch as far as a lower wage in another, depending on local prices. Adjusting for cost of living provides a clearer sense of purchasing power-how far a teacher’s wages go in each state.
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