3 answers
Brooke
Student
Oceanside, New York
1
Question
Updated
263 views
How do I choose! I am a high school senior starting college in the fall as an undecided major. Like many 17-year-olds, I’m still figuring out what I want to do long-term. I’ve always had a strong passion for teaching, but my mom encourages me to pursue healthcare for financial stability, and my dad suggests business administration for similar reasons. We all know most educators are underpaid! Are there areas within education or education-related careers that offer higher earning potential while still allowing me to work in the field of teaching or education? Do I just go with my passion and not cave in to my parents? #Spring26
Any education professionals
3 answers
Tiarra Hill
Teacher
49
Answers
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Updated
Tiarra’s Answer
Hi Brooke! I would suggest going with your passion because it is your decision and if you take on a field you do not like, it will not feel like a rewarding career but a dreary job. Now, if you are interested in education and business, you may be able to minor in business while majoring in education; this may allow you to teach business classes or finance classes on the high school and/or college level. Additionally, online platforms offer tutoring opportunities that may not pay much based on your client, but you can gain experience and take on helping as many or little students that you can fit in your schedule; this will allow you to build your resume and potentially earn some extra cash.
If you feel you the pressure of maintaining peace with your parents, maybe you could agree to start an internship at a healthcare center or business, just to show them your openness. To answer your question, there are some higher paying education jobs that include working in higher education in colleges and universities. However, it is becoming increasingly harder to secure a full-time position in higher education as a faculty member, but you may want to explore becoming a staff member at a college; this includes working as a financial aid advisor, academic advisor, bursar office, etc. Actually, that may be a good compromise with your parents! If you explain that you want to study education, but your aim is to advise students (financially or academically), it may help them further understand your interest and help alleviate their concerns about financial security. If you have any interest at all in healthcare, you could teach health, healthcare, or medicine. You could still study education but minor in a medical-related field. If you complete the FAFSA, your parents can see what financial aid you may or may not qualify for; this may help persuade them to change their mind, as medical school and other medical-related studies are very expensive.
Also, curriculum development may offer you higher income, even extra income and this is still education related. I hope this helps and I am sure you will do and be great in your studies and beyond your academic career.
If you feel you the pressure of maintaining peace with your parents, maybe you could agree to start an internship at a healthcare center or business, just to show them your openness. To answer your question, there are some higher paying education jobs that include working in higher education in colleges and universities. However, it is becoming increasingly harder to secure a full-time position in higher education as a faculty member, but you may want to explore becoming a staff member at a college; this includes working as a financial aid advisor, academic advisor, bursar office, etc. Actually, that may be a good compromise with your parents! If you explain that you want to study education, but your aim is to advise students (financially or academically), it may help them further understand your interest and help alleviate their concerns about financial security. If you have any interest at all in healthcare, you could teach health, healthcare, or medicine. You could still study education but minor in a medical-related field. If you complete the FAFSA, your parents can see what financial aid you may or may not qualify for; this may help persuade them to change their mind, as medical school and other medical-related studies are very expensive.
Also, curriculum development may offer you higher income, even extra income and this is still education related. I hope this helps and I am sure you will do and be great in your studies and beyond your academic career.
Tiarra, thank you!
Brooke
AZIZUR RAHMAN
Technical Representative in hp and Mathematics Teacher for 7th–10th grade students.
25
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
AZIZUR’s Answer
Hi Brooke,
In short: Yes — you can absolutely stay in education and earn more. And no, you don’t have to blindly cave to your parents OR ignore financial reality. There’s a middle path.
Your parents are flagging a real issue: traditional K-12 classroom teaching often pays less than healthcare/business for the same years of education. But “education” is a huge field now. Your teaching skills transfer to roles that pay 2x-5x a classroom salary.
Higher-earning education & education-adjacent paths
1. Education leadership & administration
School principal: ₹51,091/month in India; US average $106,411/year
Superintendent: $82K-$106K/year
Chief academic officer / VP academic affairs: $102K-$114K/year
Why it pays more: High responsibility, budget/staff management. Usually requires master’s + experience
2. Corporate learning & EdTech
This is where a lot of teachers are pivoting. You still teach, but adults/professionals, and companies pay more.
Curriculum developer: $120K
Professional learning specialist: $105K
Early literacy strategist: $150K
Curriculum specialist at LEGO Education: $150K
Assessment strategist at Pearson: $120K
Customer education specialist, academic consultant, product trainer: $70K-$130K
Why it pays more: Tech budgets > school district budgets. Same instructional design skills, different audience.
3. Higher education & specialized teaching
Assistant professor: ₹26,738/month India; US median for instructional coordinators $67,290
International school teacher, online educator/EdTech faculty, private coaching: Marketed as "rich + respected" with perks like research grants & global exposure
Special education: Commands higher pay due to complex demands
Educational leadership, reading & literacy specialist: Can earn 15% more than general qualifications
4. Counseling, support & consulting
School counselor/student support: Median $60,510, top 10% > $98,190
Educational consultant: $60,190/year
College admission coach, ed policy expert, instructional coach
5. Hybrid: Healthcare education & business education
Since your parents like healthcare/business, consider the overlap:
Public health educator: Listed as top career for teachers changing paths
Corporate trainer in healthcare companies: Uses teaching + health knowledge
Training & development manager: Business side, but you’re teaching employees
The “passion vs parents” decision
You don’t have to pick one. Think in phases:
Phase 1: College - Stay flexible
Since you’re undecided, use freshman/sophomore year to test all 3 interests. Take intro to education, anatomy/physiology, and business 101. Many education majors require a content area — you could double major or minor in biology/health science or business. That keeps doors open.
A master’s in education boosts salaries 10-15%and opens admin/leadership roles. But teachers can also transition to HR, PR, training managers without extra degrees.
Phase 2: Get the data yourself
Teacher pay varies wildly. US teachers make $33K-$107K depending on state, role, experience. International schools and online EdTech pay way more. Talk to real people in all 3 fields. Ask: “What does your day look like? What’s stressful? What’s rewarding?”
Phase 3: Design your own path
The fastest-growing pattern: “rare + valuable skills = high pay”. That could be “teacher who understands data science,” “educator who can build curriculum for AI tools,” or “health educator who trains nurses.” Specializations pay.
Reality check from other teachers
Lots of teachers are making this exact pivot right now. The teacherexit trend shows educators moving to corporate roles that still use teaching skills. Some love it, others say certain roles aren’t “dream jobs” or require new credentials. Geographic limits and family needs also matter.
Bottom line: Don’t choose between passion and stability yet — you’re 17. Choose exploration. Major in education if you want, but add a minor or coursework that gives you leverage: special ed, instructional design, health science, business analytics.
Your parents want security. You want purpose. The jobs above give you both.
In short: Yes — you can absolutely stay in education and earn more. And no, you don’t have to blindly cave to your parents OR ignore financial reality. There’s a middle path.
Your parents are flagging a real issue: traditional K-12 classroom teaching often pays less than healthcare/business for the same years of education. But “education” is a huge field now. Your teaching skills transfer to roles that pay 2x-5x a classroom salary.
Higher-earning education & education-adjacent paths
1. Education leadership & administration
School principal: ₹51,091/month in India; US average $106,411/year
Superintendent: $82K-$106K/year
Chief academic officer / VP academic affairs: $102K-$114K/year
Why it pays more: High responsibility, budget/staff management. Usually requires master’s + experience
2. Corporate learning & EdTech
This is where a lot of teachers are pivoting. You still teach, but adults/professionals, and companies pay more.
Curriculum developer: $120K
Professional learning specialist: $105K
Early literacy strategist: $150K
Curriculum specialist at LEGO Education: $150K
Assessment strategist at Pearson: $120K
Customer education specialist, academic consultant, product trainer: $70K-$130K
Why it pays more: Tech budgets > school district budgets. Same instructional design skills, different audience.
3. Higher education & specialized teaching
Assistant professor: ₹26,738/month India; US median for instructional coordinators $67,290
International school teacher, online educator/EdTech faculty, private coaching: Marketed as "rich + respected" with perks like research grants & global exposure
Special education: Commands higher pay due to complex demands
Educational leadership, reading & literacy specialist: Can earn 15% more than general qualifications
4. Counseling, support & consulting
School counselor/student support: Median $60,510, top 10% > $98,190
Educational consultant: $60,190/year
College admission coach, ed policy expert, instructional coach
5. Hybrid: Healthcare education & business education
Since your parents like healthcare/business, consider the overlap:
Public health educator: Listed as top career for teachers changing paths
Corporate trainer in healthcare companies: Uses teaching + health knowledge
Training & development manager: Business side, but you’re teaching employees
The “passion vs parents” decision
You don’t have to pick one. Think in phases:
Phase 1: College - Stay flexible
Since you’re undecided, use freshman/sophomore year to test all 3 interests. Take intro to education, anatomy/physiology, and business 101. Many education majors require a content area — you could double major or minor in biology/health science or business. That keeps doors open.
A master’s in education boosts salaries 10-15%and opens admin/leadership roles. But teachers can also transition to HR, PR, training managers without extra degrees.
Phase 2: Get the data yourself
Teacher pay varies wildly. US teachers make $33K-$107K depending on state, role, experience. International schools and online EdTech pay way more. Talk to real people in all 3 fields. Ask: “What does your day look like? What’s stressful? What’s rewarding?”
Phase 3: Design your own path
The fastest-growing pattern: “rare + valuable skills = high pay”. That could be “teacher who understands data science,” “educator who can build curriculum for AI tools,” or “health educator who trains nurses.” Specializations pay.
Reality check from other teachers
Lots of teachers are making this exact pivot right now. The teacherexit trend shows educators moving to corporate roles that still use teaching skills. Some love it, others say certain roles aren’t “dream jobs” or require new credentials. Geographic limits and family needs also matter.
Bottom line: Don’t choose between passion and stability yet — you’re 17. Choose exploration. Major in education if you want, but add a minor or coursework that gives you leverage: special ed, instructional design, health science, business analytics.
Your parents want security. You want purpose. The jobs above give you both.
Kathleen Rezek
Laboratory and compliance
123
Answers
Stanwood, Michigan
Updated
Kathleen’s Answer
You have gotten good advice here and I heartily agree! Career choices based on monetary value are generally not fulfilling and being tied to a job you aren't passionate about is a recipe for disaster. Teaching is an incredibly challenging and highly valuable career. It prepares you for many opportunities and enables you to guide your students toward life choices that benefit them and society overall.
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