Education Studies: 10 Jobs You Can Pursue With This Degree

Updated March 16, 2023

Students sit at a shared desk with laptops and instructors look over their work.

In addition to teaching K-12, an education studies degree can open doors to various career paths in the education field. This degree equips you with skills and knowledge that apply to a variety of jobs, from designing curricula to helping students navigate their academic careers. Knowing your options can help you find a job that's suited to your interests.

In this article, we discuss 12 different jobs you can pursue with an education studies degree.

10 education studies career paths

Here's a list of 10 jobs, in addition to K-12 teaching, for individuals with an education studies degree:

1. Academic adviser

National average salary: $43,204 per year

Primary duties: An academic adviser guides students and helps them choose an academic major or specialization based on their interests, skills and career goals. They provide support through regular meetings with their advisees.

Academic advisers may help students choose their classes each term to ensure they fulfill program requirements or gain the knowledge necessary for their future career path. They may also guide students in creating or designing their own major if their institution allows students to do this.

2. Preschool teacher

National average salary: $46,300 per year

Primary duties: A preschool teacher teaches children under the age of five. They teach basic skills while playing a definitive role in the development of children. Preschool teachers introduce children to language, arts, science and music. They organize most activities and balance playtime with physical activity throughout the school day.

3. Career counselor

National average salary: $46,572 per year

Primary duties: A career counselor identifies factors that influence career development and advises people on reaching their career goals. They can work with students, recent graduates and professionals who need help understanding their abilities, values and interests.

Career counselors help locate appropriate career resources and develop strategies unique to each person they assist. They may also help people find and get jobs by working on job searches, resume writing and interviewing techniques.

4. Tutor

National average salary: $53,730 per year

Primary duties: A tutor assists students with homework, special projects, test preparation, papers and other academic tasks. They review assignments and work with students in a non-classroom setting to help them better understand the subject they need assistance with. Tutors may work alternate or atypical hours since the students with whom they work are usually in school during regular business hours.

5. Instructional designer

National average salary: $55,681 per year

Primary duties: An instructional designer develops and evaluates courses, curriculums and teacher training materials. They have a strong understanding of teaching principles and theories as well as the technology that instructors can use in the classroom. They may also train others on implementing learning materials, monitor feedback on educational programs and assess the effectiveness of the learning process.

6. English as a second language teacher

National average salary: $56,986 per year

Primary duties: English as a second language (ESL) teachers work with English language learners or students for whom English is not their primary language. They help students with on their fluency in English, both in speaking and in writing.

ESL teachers are responsible for planning and delivering lessons, assessing students on their progress and testing their knowledge of the English language. They keep track of students' improvements and customize plans for students with special requirements.

7. College recruiter

National average salary: $57,305 per year

Primary duties: A college recruiter works on behalf of a college or university to encourage high school students to apply to their institution. College recruiters give presentations explaining college programs to prospective applicants and develop outreach strategies to attract more students. College recruiters host career days for students and recent graduates and also meet with potential students to answer their questions.

8. Education program manager

National average salary: $60,401 per year

Primary duties: An education program manager oversees and coordinates multiple projects within an educational program. They are responsible for reporting on the program's advancements, allocating resources and selecting team members.

Education program managers design and implement different academic and training programs. They supervise all aspects of the program, including managing strategies for program growth and scale.

9. Education consultant

National average salary: $64,303 per year

Primary duties: An education consultant serves as an adviser in education-related matters. They train and advise different members of the educational community on classroom policies, new technologies and student achievements.

Education consultants analyze curricula, conduct resource inventory and look at how student and teacher performances align with their goals. They also report to relevant stakeholders and examine academic systems to promote set goals.

10. Curriculum specialist

National average salary: $66,918 per year

Primary duties: A curriculum specialist, also known as a teacher leader or curriculum leader, collaborates and guides classroom teachers in their lesson planning. They analyze student performance and help revise the materials used in the classroom accordingly. Curriculum specialists may develop new curricula like workbooks, textbooks and lesson structures based on analysis of student data.

Education Studies: 10 Jobs You Can Pursue With This Degree

10 education studies career paths

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