How Can I Make Money in the Education Field?

Most likely, the first career path that comes to mind when one thinks about the educational field is that of a teacher. And rightly so! Teachers play a vital role in education; and the job of a teacher cannot be replaced. Sometimes, though, big dreams and bright futures inevitably lead to thinner lined pockets than originally hoped for. How can I make money in the education field? If, or when, you find yourself asking this question, here are some things to consider.

Many teachers have found side jobs to receive extra income; like, tutoring, instructing after-school activities or clubs, coaching a sport, or selling self-created teaching resources and materials on websites such as Teachers Pay Teachers and Etsy. In some situations, teachers desire to pursue a new career in the educational field as an administrator, librarian, curriculum specialist, or guidance counselor to name a few.

Tutoring

Being a tutor to a student who is in need of extra guidance and practice outside of the classroom in a one-on-one setting is a quick way to make money in the educational field. Numerous options are available for a tutoring job. Teachers can offer services to students in their own classroom before and/or after school, on weekends, or during the summer. Countless tutoring positions are always readily available online. Tutoring often times may not require an education degree; so, this option of making money is a good option for just about anyone who is knowledgeable in the area being tutored.

Online tutoring usually happens through a company that has a set fee already in place, although most tutors are able to choose their own hours to be available to students. Pay ranges from $5 all the way to $65 depending on education, experience, demand, and how much a company will compensate for a tutor’s services. Academic subjects, especially math and English language arts are highly sought after by students in search of a tutor. The option of teaching foreign students online is always an option as well. Take time to consider what subject areas you are best in and enjoy the most and research which company is right for you.

Instructing After-School Clubs or Activities

This is another great option for making money in the educational field. Instructing an after-school activity could entail organizing child care and/or help with homework for students who stay longer than the typical school day. Leading a mentoring program can be a paid position for the head adult to organize volunteers and implement activities. Many times, after-school care and mentoring programs are combined at the school facility. Again, a degree in education is not always required.

There are numerous academic clubs that meet after school. These differ from the above after-school and mentoring programs; in that, a club has a specifically focused reason for meeting and student participants are fewer, often times limited to a certain number allowed to be present. Theater, chess club, debate team, a book club, and sometimes choir are a few examples. In reality, a club could be created for any interest or subject area: woodworking, journalism, cooking, photography. The options are endless. Take what you love, get some students together with a teaching plan, demonstration, or discussion and make some money.

Coaching a Sport

Being a coach is a common way for teachers to make extra money in the educational field. Most schools require that the head coach is a certified teacher at the school where the sport is being played while assistants may be volunteers. This job entails many hours, especially at the high school level and above with daily practices, traveling, and events. Basketball, football, baseball, wrestling, cheerleading, golf, tennis ,cross-country, and track are examples of popular sports that are available for a teacher to coach.

Selling Self-Created Materials or Resources

Teachers who are creative and love to add supplements to the curriculum may want to consider this money-making option. Like so many opportunities already mentioned, there is no educational requirements to join Teachers Pay Teachers or create a store on Etsy to sell products. Themed lesson plans, digital downloadable files are popular items. Workbooks, craft ideas, seasonal activities, unique academic helps are other examples. Teachers are always looking for new, creative ideas to bring to the classroom. Create a product, set the price, and make some money.

Administration

This job includes teachers making a career change as opposed to having a side job as suggested by the opportunities mentioned above. School administrators may work at a primary, secondary, or post-secondary school that is either public or private.

This career includes principals, superintendents, or directors of specific school programs. A minimum of a master’s decree in education administration is required along with other specifications that vary from state to state, which commonly includes at least seven years of experience teaching in a classroom. As a principal oversees an individual school, a superintendent is responsible for an entire school district. While administration salary in the educational field varies according to job title, the Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that most school administrators earned about $95,311.

Librarian

School librarians, like administrators, may work at any level in the educational field, from elementary schools to universities. Organizing, assisting students in learning how to use information retrieval systems and providing relevant suggestions on books and information sources are a few examples of the tasks school librarians perform.

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in library science is required by each state, but most institutions expect applicants to have obtained a master’s degree. This is a position that stands alone and cannot be implements while teaching.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, school librarians earned an annual salary of $60, 780.

Curriculum Specialist / Instructional Coordinator

Evaluating student performance data, teaching strategies, and curriculum materials is essential in this career to be able to make recommendations based on analysis. A bachelor’s degree in education is the minimum requirement to become a curriculum specialist, although most employers expect a master’s degree, either in education or curriculum and instruction.

In 2020, $66, 970 was the national average for a job in this career according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Guidance Counselor

Students are provided with academic advice on a high school and college level to help ensure future career success. School counselors also provide personal and social guidance completed through individual and group settings. Requirements by all states include a bachelor’s degree in child psychology, communication, or a related field; followed by a master’s degree in school counseling. Salaries vary depending on a number of things: level of education and experience, the school’s location and whether it is public or private are a few factors that affect pay.

The National Education Association listed an average yearly salary for a guidance counselor to be $56,310.

What are Other Ways to Make Money in the Education Field if I am not a Teacher?

Additional opportunities are available to pursue and make adequate money in the educational field. One such position is a teacher’s assistant. These positions typically are paid by the hour in most school districts typically ranging from $13 up to $28 depending on the individual’s education level and experience. Many retired teachers re-enter the classroom holding this job position. They are able to implement their expertise without having a teacher’s full responsibilities. Mothers of school-aged children find this to be a great way to make money in the educational field. The work hours are the same is their children and typically do not have added teaching assistant responsibilities outside of that time.

If an individual is wanting more flexibility in work hours by choosing when he/she is in the classroom, becoming a substitute teacher may be the perfect fit. Unlike teacher assistants, most substitute teachers are not required to be present in the classroom every day school is in session. Typically a substitute teacher is paid on a monthly basis with the amount being determined by how many days of that month the individual was substitute teaching. A daily wage is earned usually ranging from $45 to $70 per day.

Conclusion – Ways to Make Money in the Field of Education

Although teaching is the primary position thought of in the educational field able to make money, there are numerous other careers to pursue when teaching is not desirable. If a career change is not being sought, countless other opportunities are available to teachers as a side job to add to their teaching salary. And if an individual has no education or experience in this field, there are still ample ways to receive a steady income by creating a job opportunity independently or applying and being accepted to a position available free of such requirements. Multiple ideas mentioned in this article may be successfully pursued at the same time to ensure a steady flow of cash coming from the educational field.