Education careers: pay, certification and outlook
Education occupations split by level and setting. Classroom teachers in public schools need a state licence built on a degree; teaching assistants, tutors and corporate trainers often do not. Pay follows the level taught and the setting, with postsecondary and specialised roles at the top.
The list below ranks every educational instruction and library occupation by median annual pay.
- Occupations
- 63
- Pay range
- $38,140–$128,500
- Top median
- $128,500
Education and library occupations, ranked by median pay
Median annual wage, national, BLS May 2025.
Law Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 20,060 employed$128,500median / yrEconomics Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 11,560 employed$123,920median / yrEngineering Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 40,270 employed$109,270median / yrHealth Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 221,270 employed$107,310median / yrAtmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 9,900 employed$103,170median / yrForestry and Conservation Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 1,520 employed$101,420median / yrPhysics Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 13,090 employed$100,310median / yrAnthropology and Archeology Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 5,240 employed$99,650median / yrBusiness Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 82,150 employed$99,080median / yrAgricultural Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 8,920 employed$98,700median / yrPolitical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 16,970 employed$98,070median / yrGeography Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 3,330 employed$97,590median / yrComputer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 35,480 employed$96,980median / yrArchitecture Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 7,700 employed$96,870median / yrEnvironmental Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 6,690 employed$94,980median / yrChemistry Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 19,980 employed$93,250median / yrArea, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 11,300 employed$85,020median / yrBiological Science Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 50,190 employed$84,620median / yrSociology Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 11,850 employed$84,290median / yrHistory Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 18,790 employed$83,820median / yrPsychology Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 41,530 employed$80,340median / yrLibrary Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 3,630 employed$80,340median / yrPhilosophy and Religion Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 20,460 employed$80,260median / yrNursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryGrowingExtensive preparation needed · 77,960 employed$80,250median / yrMathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 47,670 employed$79,940median / yrForeign Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 19,830 employed$79,350median / yrEnglish Language and Literature Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 57,720 employed$78,760median / yrArt, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 93,560 employed$78,620median / yrCommunications Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 29,420 employed$78,580median / yrPostsecondary Teachers, All OtherPreparation level not rated · 149,840 employed$77,640median / yrSocial Work Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 12,610 employed$77,570median / yrInstructional CoordinatorsExtensive preparation needed · 227,760 employed$77,440median / yrRecreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 12,630 employed$77,270median / yrCriminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 13,150 employed$76,590median / yrSpecial Education Teachers, All OtherPreparation level not rated · 33,930 employed$76,580median / yrAdapted Physical Education SpecialistsConsiderable preparation needed · 33,930 employed$76,580median / yrFamily and Consumer Sciences Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 2,770 employed$75,870median / yrEducation Teachers, PostsecondaryExtensive preparation needed · 60,830 employed$75,350median / yrSpecial Education Teachers, Secondary SchoolConsiderable preparation needed · 163,930 employed$74,260median / yrSocial Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All OtherPreparation level not rated · 16,580 employed$72,990median / yr
Fastest growing education and library occupations
Projected employment growth, 2024–34.