23 Highest Paying Alternative Careers for Teachers in 2025/26

Wondering what to do next with your teaching degree? Discover the highest paying alternative careers for teachers in 2025/26, which career shift could be your perfect next move? Burned out, underpaid, and overworked, if this sounds like your teaching career, you’re not alone. Thousands of educators are discovering that stepping away from the chalkboard doesn’t mean leaving their skills behind.

In fact, your classroom experience may be the key to unlocking a high-paying, fulfilling second act. From corporate coaching to educational consulting, these highest paying alternative careers for teachers can pivot and profit big in 2025/26. Ready to ditch the stress and rediscover your purpose without sacrificing your paycheck? Keep reading, you might just find your next dream job.

Which Businesses and Organizations Employ Former Teachers?

Where are all the businesses that employ teachers, then? Teachers have the best work ethic of any profession. After eight hours of negotiating with the disinterested, the irritated, the distracted, and the uncooperative, these individuals return home to spend even more time planning, grading, and extinguishing fires. Who wouldn’t want those individuals working for them?

Some of the best positions for former educators are in tech and start-ups (sometimes known as “new-collar jobs”), where the hard abilities of coding and development can be combined with the soft skills of teaching. Education has already been greatly impacted by technology, and the virtual tools that are currently being developed will be the source of the next significant change in education. These initiatives are more likely to be beneficial and productive in the classroom when they involve experienced, skilled teachers.

Additionally, a lot of small businesses employ teachers, especially in fields like talent development and corporate training. Many educators exhibit strong management and emotional intelligence, which are highly valued in tiny businesses. The secret to these kinds of positions is teachers’ extraordinary capacity to inspire others and bring out the best in each team member. For former teachers, working with people is still frequently the finest part of their careers.

23 Highest Paying Alternative Careers for Teachers in 2025–26

1. Administration – Principal, Vice-Principal, Superintendent

Average Salary: $88,000-$118,000

One of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers is an administrator if you enjoy working with children and are prepared to advance your career by looking for positions in the education sector outside of teaching. You can be in charge of a single area of your school or district’s operations, instruction, or culture as an administrator, or you might be in charge of multiple facets of its success.

Throughout the day, administrators do a variety of tasks, such as interacting with parents and assisting instructors in improving their methods of instruction. You have the advantage of knowing the family and staff at your school well enough to gain their respect as soon as you take on your new position, if you are transitioning into administration after having taught in a classroom there.

Although the qualifications needed for school administrators vary by state and whether you work in a public or private school, the majority of administration positions call for a master’s or doctoral degree in addition to principal certification.

2. Standardized Test Developer

Average Salary: $65,000

Among the highest paying alternative careers for teachers is to work as a standardized test developer. Creating high-quality standardized test questions can assist students, parents, instructors, and administrators in seeing where kids are succeeding and where they need more work. This is especially useful if you enjoy the tedious task of ensuring that students are meeting their learning objectives.

In addition to being an expert in your field, you will also need to be skilled at developing assessments of the highest caliber with questions that range in difficulty. You could work in an office or a school in this role, particularly if the school is big and conducts periodic tests to prepare for the state exams.

You’ll probably need a master’s or doctorate in your field of expertise to work as a standardized test developer. You can anticipate earning roughly $65,000 a year, while your precise pay will vary depending on your level of education, experience, and local cost of living.

3. Educational Consultant

Average Salary: $64,000

Working as an educational consultant is one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers, as they continue to positively influence young minds if they are searching for employment in the education sector outside of teaching and still want to be involved in helping children learn. You will probably work with multiple schools in a single district as an educational consultant.

The majority of educational consultants visit different schools during the week and maintain an office in a district building. You might collaborate with multiple school districts in a single region if you work for a private educational consulting firm. As the district’s demands evolve, your duties will also alter. You may work directly with teachers to help them enhance their teaching methods, or you may work directly with principals and assistant principals.

Although each district has different specific educational requirements, most demand at least a master’s degree, and some want a PhD. A valid teaching certificate and compliance with continuing education standards are also prerequisites for many school districts’ educational consultants.

4. Homeschool Consultant

Average Salary: $64,000

Among the highest paying alternative careers for teachers is a homeschool consultant, as parents occasionally seek the advice of an expert. Here’s where you can help. When it comes to occupations in education other than teaching, being a homeschool consultant enables you to contribute to giving children a top-notch education, even though you aren’t the one giving the lessons.

To assist parents or small groups of homeschoolers in improving the educational process, you will work with them. You might assist with lesson planning and curriculum creation, watch parents teach, and work with parents to help them evaluate their kids and make sure they’re fulfilling learning goals. Homeschool consultants may operate independently or as employees of a larger educational consulting firm.

Choosing the qualifications required for your target audience to value your services is your responsibility if you decide to work as a freelancer. While many have a master’s or doctorate, the majority of homeschool consultants hold at least a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential. You’ll probably need a master’s or doctorate and a current teaching license if you work for an educational consulting firm.

5. After-School Program Director

Average Salary: $62,000

A position as an after-school program director is also one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers if they enjoy working with children in an environment that lets them explore their interests. As the director of an after-school program, you will collaborate with coaches and instructors to create a strong, interesting program for your school. Although you will probably have an office at the school, you will spend the majority of your afternoons attending different extracurricular activities.

Because you will be at the school after the majority of the staff has left to engage with kids and teachers taking part in after-school events, your work hours will differ slightly from those of a teacher. In the majority of schools, directing an after-school program requires a bachelor’s degree or above. You might or might not require a teaching credential.

6. Curriculum Design

Average Salary: $62,000

You are an expert in your field because you are a former teacher or a teacher considering leaving the classroom. You know how a curriculum should be created to best fit the needs of students, from typical misconceptions that students had before lessons to strategies that help learning stay, can be one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers

In addition to training former teachers who are subject-matter specialists, the curriculum design profession offers numerous jobs in the education sector. In this role, you will collaborate with your district’s instructional leaders to develop a curriculum that is ideal for children.

The majority of curriculum development positions require classroom experience in addition to at least a master’s degree in education. Depending on what your school or district requires, you might need a teaching license to work as a curriculum designer.

7. School/Child Psychologist

Average Salary: $62,000

Examining careers in education other than teaching in the subject of student psychology can be one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers, if you enjoy helping children reach their full potential. Working one-on-one with students as a school/child psychologist will allow you to get to know them better than you could while you were teaching a classroom full of children.

Along with working in classrooms that deal with social and/or bullying difficulties, you might also conduct group therapy sessions. You may visit children at different schools or work in an office within the school. A doctorate and a state licensure are prerequisites for working as a school or child psychologist.

8. Corporate Trainer

Average Salary: $56,000

You know how to speak in a way that makes people pay attention as a teacher. You know how to provide lectures in a style that is both interesting and suitable for your students. For educators who are prepared to leave the classroom, being a corporate trainer is just one of several of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers.

You’ll create training, collaborate with staff, and possibly even train managers on how to effectively communicate subjects and objectives to their staff. You might travel between the company’s different locations or work at one. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for employment as a corporate trainer, and a master’s degree can be necessary.

9. Education Policy and Research

Average Salary: $53,000

In addition to teaching, there are numerous other highest paying alternative careers for teachers available if you have a strong desire to serve students but also want to make a significant impact. Education policy and research professionals can work for non-profits, advocacy organizations, politicians, and more.

Working in this field offers chances for a wide range of activities, from collaborating with legislators to influence educational change to watching teachers in classrooms in high-need locations. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for employment in education policy and research, but many roles call for a master’s or PhD.

10. Textbook Author

Average Salary: $51,500

A specialist in your field? One of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers can be becoming a textbook author. If you have taught in the past, you are not only knowledgeable about the material, but also know how to present it to those who are just starting to learn about it.

For educators who enjoy their work but are prepared to leave the classroom, being a textbook author is just one of many fantastic career options. Studying the most recent findings in your field of expertise will allow you to use that knowledge to guide the instruction that students receive in the classroom. A master’s degree is required for most textbook authorship positions, and many require a PhD.

11. Curriculum Representative/Sales

Average Salary: $51,000

One of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers in education outside of teaching that might be a perfect fit for you is working as a curriculum representative if you have a strong interest in your subject but aren’t enjoying your time in the classroom. For educators looking for a stimulating career that permits travel, a career in curriculum sales can be a great fit.

In this role, you will spend time learning about your company’s curriculum and visiting different schools to discuss with educators why your curriculum is the most appropriate for their teachers and kids. To work as a curriculum representative, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree.

12. School Counseling

Average Salary: $50,500

Being a school counselor is among the highest paying alternative careers for teachers who enjoy working with children but detest handling grading and other administrative duties. Teachers may have the opportunity to make significant career shifts by entering the counseling field. You might work in a single school as a school counselor, or you might divide your time across multiple schools in your district.

You will visit with kids, assist them in resolving problems at home and school, and assess them for behavioral and learning disabilities. Additionally, you will meet with parents to provide them with progress reports and collaborate with educators to support them in meeting the needs of their pupils.

Occasionally, you might also work directly in schools, discussing social and personal issues with students in a group environment. You must hold a state licensure and have at least a master’s degree in order to operate as a school counselor.

13. Recreation Director

Average Salary: $50,000

Enjoy being outside and assisting others in making the most of their fitness and health opportunities? One of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers who enjoy organizing social, athletic, and entertainment events for people is becoming a recreation director. As a recreation director, you can work in settings where students live and learn, such as boarding schools, universities, and camps.

You will create leisure activities (such as intramural and competitive sports), organize student events, and fix programs that aren’t functioning for the company. Finding out what new programs students would like to see and trying to make such programs a reality are crucial aspects of this job. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement for a recreation director, while many positions call for a master’s.

14. Life Coach

Average Salary: $48,000

Although you enjoy assisting others, you’d like to pursue a career outside of teaching. One of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers is becoming a life coach. You can choose how you want to operate as a life coach. You can start your own business if you’re a self-starter. A lot of people who wish to pursue life coaching decide to launch their company while still holding a full-time job.

Others are employed by a life coaching organization. Whichever path you go on, you will be collaborating directly with clients to help them establish and accomplish their objectives. Being positive, supportive, and inspiring is crucial in this role. Being upbeat is important, but you must also be ready to provide your clients with tough love when they need it. Working closely with clients as a life coach will allow you to take pride in their accomplishments when they use your advice to reach their long-term objectives.

If you own your own business, the number of clients you have will affect how much money you make, and this number may rise gradually over time. Being a life coach doesn’t require any particular schooling, but numerous online and in-person courses can get you the certification. Obtaining this certification can demonstrate to your clients that you are knowledgeable in helping them reach their objectives.

15. Career Counseling

Average Salary: $44,500

One of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers, career counseling is another occupation in the education sector that can be a perfect fit for you if you want to work with individuals of all ages and assist them in determining their futures. Opportunities for career counselors are numerous. Working in a university career counseling center could be a wonderful option for you if you wish to assist college graduates in beginning their first careers.

Working at a career center can be a suitable fit if you want to collaborate with individuals who have already achieved success in their careers. Additionally, working in private practice gives you the freedom to choose your hours. Some career counselors collaborate with different groups of counselors at private counseling clinics, giving clients a wide range of options for help. To work as a career counselor, you must hold a California counseling license and hold a master’s degree.

16. Student Life Coordinator/Director

Average Salary: $42,000

A student life coordinator or director has the opportunity to directly positively impact the lives of young people, which is one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers that draws many teachers who appreciate helping students improve their lives. Working on a high school or college campus as a student life coordinator allows you to design and carry out programs that support the growth of young people.

This role necessitates positivism and great energy, whether you’re planning a campus-wide carnival or creating support groups for students who are traveling far from home for the first time. You must have at least a bachelor’s degree to serve as a student life coordinator or director.

17. Preschool Director

Average Salary: $41,500

Being a preschool director can be a highest paying alternative careers for teachers who enjoy dealing with young children but don’t want to teach in a classroom. Supporting instructors, working with students, building relationships with parents, and creating and carrying out goals for the preschool as a whole are all part of this role.

The majority of preschool director roles require a master’s or doctorate degree, however, some merely require a bachelor’s. Depending on your organization’s needs, you might additionally need a current teaching credential.

18. Camp Director

Average Salary: $40,000

Becoming a camp director is one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers who wish to keep working with children. In your role as camp director, you will collaborate with counselors to support children, develop camp schedules, manage daily concerns (including camper and maintenance issues), and make sure everything runs smoothly all through the camp season.

You will likely reside at the camp while it is in operation. A bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement for camp directors, and depending on the camp’s criteria, a master’s degree can be required as well. Room and board may be offered during the camp season.

19. Freelance Writing, Blogging, Podcasting

Average Salary: $40,000

If you have a great interest in education but don’t want to work in a classroom, becoming a freelancer can lead to the highest paying alternative careers for teachers outside of teaching. You can write, speak, or produce media in your areas of competence and interest when you work as a freelancer. Many educators start freelancing while still holding full-time teaching positions, and as they start to build a clientele and/or an audience, they transition into freelancing as a full-time vocation.

When working as a freelancer full-time, you can anticipate earning about $40,000 annually, though pay rates can vary widely. Since you are your boss as a freelancer, you are free to choose your own needs for education and further training.

20. Residence Life Director

Average Salary: $37,500

Moving from the classroom to the dorm room is seen by many as a resident life director, one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers. You may get to know college students and help them both academically and socially by working in residential life. By organizing maintenance personnel, resident assistants, and other student life specialists, you will administer the residence halls.

Conducting disciplinary proceedings for students who violate university policies may also fall under your purview. In this role, daily duties can change often, so it’s critical to be adaptable and at ease with the concept of a constantly shifting to-do list. You must have at least a bachelor’s degree to work as a residence life director. For this role, several colleges require a master’s degree.

21. Admissions Counselor/Recruiter

Average Salary: $37,000

Working as a college recruiter or admissions counselor may be just as fulfilling as the hard work you’ve already put in in the classroom, making it one of the professions in education that attracts educators who are truly concerned about the future of their children. In this role, you will discuss your university with students and assist them in determining whether it aligns with their professional aspirations, making it one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers

You might tour high schools and speak with potential students in addition to working in an admissions office. You must have at least a bachelor’s degree for this role. You may additionally need a master’s degree in counseling, depending on the rules at your university.

22. Museum Education/Tour Guide

Average Salary: $36,000

Working as a tour guide or museum educator is one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers in the field of education who do not want to teach, but still want to help others learn. Teachers who have a passion for a particular subject, such as American history or modern art, may find this position to be a particularly good fit. In this role, you will respond to inquiries from visitors and students regarding your exhibits and assist them in learning more about the museum.

Although working in the museum will take up the majority of your time, you might occasionally travel to schools or other educational institutions to educate children about the focus of your museum. A bachelor’s degree is probably required to work as a tour guide or museum educator. Additionally, you must have a strong interest in the museum’s topic.

23. Tutoring

Average Salary: $36,000

Working as a tutor could be one of the highest paying alternative careers for teachers that makes the most sense for you if you enjoy working one-on-one with kids but don’t want to be in a typical classroom setting. Working with kids to assist them in overcoming obstacles in the classroom is what tutoring entails.

To help them succeed, you’ll try to reteach the lessons they’re having trouble with and learn about their particular learning preferences. As a tutor, you can either work for yourself or a tutoring service. A high school degree and subject-matter competence are prerequisites for tutoring. As you gain experience and expand your clientele, this figure can rise.

Why Do Teachers Leave Teaching?

Although teacher burnout and weariness are common in the field, talking about them is frequently frowned upon. Teachers who strike or call for unionization risk being blackballed, while those who voice their concerns about the reasons why competent teachers leave are accused of whining and moaning.

However, the figures on teacher burnout are alarming. Over 25% of US schools are overcrowded, and as the population grows, this percentage is only predicted to rise. Over half of instructors put in far over 40 hours a week, which is deemed “unsustainable.” After all, that only includes the hours of the school day; it does not include the evening, night, and weekend hours that all instructors dedicate themselves to.

For those who are curious about the reasons for teacher burnout, the facts are unmistakable: overcrowded classrooms, long hours, and financial strains (many teachers spend their own money to buy supplies when the school budget is tight). It is therefore not surprising that over 50% of teachers contemplate leaving, and over 40% of new teachers leave within five years. Although it’s no secret that excellent instructors leave, many can pursue better opportunities in other fields.

What Can Retired Teachers Do?

Teachers may pursue second professions after leaving the classroom. Ultimately, a lot of public school teachers who start their jobs right out of college can work for 25 years and retire in their 50s. In other words, there’s always time for a second act, and teachers can apply their expertise in different ways by pursuing second occupations.

For example, retired teachers may find consultancy work to be quite fulfilling. An experienced educator can return to the classroom to train new instructors, develop curricula, counsel school systems on the needs of teachers, or act as a professional champion for educators. Education consulting can be quite profitable. Many school systems and schools hire outside consultants to help them address problems they can’t handle on their own, and consulting positions allow retired teachers to put their expertise to work improving education for everybody.

Retired educators can also find fulfilling work creating curriculum, creating test materials, or even coaching pupils one-on-one. Retired teachers still have a lot to offer, regardless of whether they work in high-paying or voluntary positions.

In conclusion, in 2025/26, teachers have more career options than ever before, many of which offer higher pay, better work-life balance, and fresh growth opportunities. Whether you’re looking to pivot entirely out of the classroom or transition into a new role within education, your skills in leadership, communication, organization, and empathy are highly sought-after across multiple industries.

From corporate training and instructional design to counseling, HR, and education consulting, the pathways are diverse and rewarding. The most important step is recognizing your worth beyond the traditional classroom. Explore the highest paying alternative careers for teachers with confidence, knowing your teaching background gives you a powerful foundation to thrive.