Jobs for former teachers are careers outside the traditional classroom where educators use their communication, leadership, and training skills in new industries. Many teachers move into roles like corporate training, EdTech, curriculum development, or project management—often earning $65,000 to $100,000+ depending on the role.
If you’ve been wondering what opportunities exist beyond the classroom, this guide will walk you through 15 high‑paying career paths, companies that hire former teachers, and practical steps to start exploring your next move.
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Why are teachers looking for new jobs outside the classroom?
Many teachers explore new jobs because they want better work-life balance, higher salaries, or a different type of professional challenge. Teaching builds valuable skills that transfer well into many other industries.
Across the United States, teacher burnout has been widely reported. Several national education surveys show that more than 40% of teachers report feeling burned out, and teacher attrition rates remain higher than pre‑pandemic levels.
Common reasons teachers start exploring other careers include:
- Long working hours beyond the school day
- Increasing paperwork and testing requirements
- Limited salary growth
- Desire for remote or hybrid work
- Wanting to use their expertise in new ways
The encouraging news? Teachers already have highly transferable skills that many industries value.
What skills do teachers already have that employers want?
Teachers develop an incredible set of professional skills that apply well outside of education. Many employers specifically look for candidates who can train others, communicate clearly, and manage projects.
Skills teachers bring to new careers include:
- Public speaking and presentation
- Training and instruction
- Curriculum and content development
- Project management
- Communication and collaboration
- Problem solving
- Organization and planning
These are the same skills many companies spend thousands of dollars training employees to develop.
What are the best high-paying jobs for former teachers?
There are many career paths where teachers thrive outside the traditional classroom. Below are 15 of the most common and highest-paying jobs teachers transition into.
1. Instructional Designer
Instructional designers create training programs for companies, universities, and online platforms.
Average salary: $75,000–$100,000
Why teachers excel here:
- Designing lessons and learning objectives
- Creating assessments
- Organizing information for learners
Where to look:
- Corporate training departments
- Universities
- Online education companies
2. Corporate Trainer
Corporate trainers teach employees new systems, skills, or processes within organizations.
Average salary: $65,000–$90,000
Teachers already have the experience needed to:
- Facilitate workshops
- Create training materials
- Present information clearly
3. Curriculum Developer
Curriculum developers design educational materials used in schools, digital platforms, and training programs.
Average salary: $70,000–$100,000
Teachers bring valuable experience because they understand:
- Academic standards
- Classroom needs
- Student learning challenges
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4. Customer Success Manager (EdTech)
Customer success managers help schools or organizations successfully use education software.
Average salary: $75,000–$105,000
Teachers are strong candidates because they:
- Understand classroom workflows
- Can train educators on new tools
- Build strong relationships with clients
5. Learning and Development Specialist
Learning and development specialists create training programs for employees within companies.
Average salary: $70,000–$95,000
Teachers transition well into this role because they already know how to:
- Design instruction
- Facilitate learning experiences
- Assess understanding
6. Technical Writer
Technical writers create manuals, guides, and documentation that explain complex information clearly.
Average salary: $70,000–$100,000
Teachers excel here because they are skilled at:
- Explaining difficult concepts
- Writing clear step-by-step instructions
7. Education Consultant
Education consultants work with schools, districts, or companies to improve programs and instructional strategies.
Average salary: $80,000+
Many consultants focus on:
- curriculum implementation
- professional development
- school improvement strategies
8. Education Sales Representative
Education sales representatives work for companies that sell products or services to schools.
Average salary: $75,000–$120,000 including commission
Teachers are often hired because they understand what educators actually need.
9. Project Manager
Project managers organize teams, timelines, and goals to complete projects successfully.
Average salary: $85,000–$120,000
Teachers already manage multiple priorities daily, which makes this transition surprisingly natural.
10. HR Training Specialist
HR training specialists design onboarding and professional development programs for employees.
Average salary: $65,000–$85,000
Teachers bring valuable experience in instruction and training.
11. Academic Advisor
Academic advisors work at colleges and universities helping students plan their academic pathways.
Average salary: $55,000–$75,000
Teachers who enjoy mentoring students often enjoy this role.
12. Education Policy Analyst
Policy analysts research and evaluate education policies for governments or nonprofits.
Average salary: $70,000–$110,000
Teachers bring real classroom experience that many policy teams lack.
13. LMS Administrator
Learning management system administrators manage digital learning platforms used by schools and companies.
Average salary: $75,000–$95,000
Teachers already familiar with platforms like Canvas or Moodle often transition well into this role.
14. Nonprofit Program Manager
Program managers coordinate education programs within nonprofit organizations.
Average salary: $65,000–$95,000
These roles often focus on youth programs, education access, or community initiatives.
15. EdTech Implementation Specialist
Implementation specialists help schools successfully launch and use new educational technology tools.
Average salary: $70,000–$95,000
Teachers are valuable hires because they understand how technology actually works in real classrooms.
What companies hire former teachers?
Many education and technology companies actively recruit teachers because they understand classrooms, curriculum, and how learning actually happens.
Companies known to hire former teachers include:
- IXL Learning
- Teachers Pay Teachers
- Nearpod
- Kahoot
- Newsela
- Amplify
- McGraw Hill
- HMH – Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Pearson
These organizations often hire teachers for roles such as:
- curriculum designers
- education specialists
- training managers
- implementation specialists
Exploring the career pages of these companies can be a great starting point when researching new opportunities.
You can also find some of the best side hustles for teachers from these same companies. This can give you a foot in the door and an easy way to experience working with the company before deciding to leave the classroom completely.
Can teachers make money outside the classroom before changing careers?
Yes! Many teachers explore side hustles or flexible work opportunities before making a full career transition.
Teacher friends, if you are curious about earning extra income while you explore your options, you might also enjoy these resources:
Both of those posts share realistic ways teachers are earning additional income and gaining new experience outside of traditional classrooms.
How can teachers start transitioning into a new career?
Making a career transition can feel overwhelming, but taking small steps makes the process much easier.
Helpful starting steps include:
- Identify your transferable skills.
- Update your resume using business-friendly language.
- Research industries where teachers commonly transition.
- Take short professional development courses if needed.
- Connect with former teachers on LinkedIn to learn from their experiences.
Many teachers begin exploring these opportunities while still teaching and gradually move into a new role when the right opportunity appears.
Jobs for Former Teachers: Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs can former teachers do?
Former teachers can work in many industries including corporate training, instructional design, curriculum development, EdTech, nonprofit leadership, and project management.
Do former teachers make more money in other careers?
Many careers outside education offer salaries between $70,000 and $100,000 or more, depending on the industry and experience level.
Are companies interested in hiring teachers?
Yes. Many companies value teachers because they bring strong communication, leadership, and training skills.
Is it hard for teachers to change careers?
Career transitions can take time, but teachers already have many transferable skills that employers need.
Should I Leave the Classroom as a Teacher?
Many teachers ask this question when they begin feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or curious about other career paths. The truth is that deciding whether to leave the classroom is a very personal decision, and there isn’t one right answer for everyone.
Some teachers choose to stay because they still feel passionate about working with students and just needed to get out of their teaching rut. Others decide to explore new opportunities that offer better work‑life balance, higher salaries, or different types of professional challenges.
If you’re asking yourself this question, it may be helpful to reflect on a few things:
- Do you still feel energized by teaching, or mostly exhausted?
- Are you looking for better pay, more flexibility, or less stress?
- Would a different role in education feel more fulfilling?
Teacher friends, asking these questions doesn’t mean you’ve failed or given up. It simply means you’re thinking carefully about what is best for your life and career.
Final Thoughts on New Jobs for Former Teachers
Teacher friends, leaving the classroom can feel like a big step—but your skills open doors to many exciting careers.
If you’re exploring new jobs for former teachers, start with roles that match your strengths and interests. You might be surprised by how many opportunities exist beyond the classroom.
And if you’re still teaching but curious about earning extra income or working remotely, check out the side hustle and work‑from‑home ideas mentioned earlier.
If this post encouraged you, share it with another teacher friend who might need the inspiration. 🙂
