Career field

Education & Childcare Careers

Teach, care for and support learners, from infants and preschoolers to adults.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team

Education and childcare careers include childcare workers, teacher assistants and tutors, who can start with a high school diploma or a short credential, and licensed teachers, counselors and librarians, who need a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Schools and childcare centers hire every year to replace retiring and departing staff.

Public school teaching requires a state license, and most states now offer alternative certification routes for career changers who already hold a bachelor’s degree. Childcare and preschool roles often require a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, background checks and CPR and first aid training.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

64 education and childcare careers

Adult Education Teacher

Teach adults to read, earn a GED and learn English.

  • $61,540/yr median
  • -13.9% growth
  • 4 years plus certificates

Agricultural Sciences Professor

Teach and research crops, livestock, soils and food production.

  • $98,700/yr median
  • +2.9% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Anthropology Professor

Teach how humans and cultures have developed across time and place.

  • $99,650/yr median
  • +2.6% growth
  • 6–8 years after a bachelor’s

Architecture Professor

Teach design studios and building science to future architects.

  • $96,870/yr median
  • +2.6% growth
  • 6–8 years

Archivist

Preserve historical records and help people find them.

  • $64,550/yr median
  • +3.4% growth
  • 2 years after a bachelor’s

Biology Professor

Teach life sciences and lead biology research at the college level.

  • $84,620/yr median
  • +7.3% growth
  • 6–9 years after a bachelor’s

Business Professor

Teach college courses in management, marketing, finance and accounting.

  • $99,080/yr median
  • +5.9% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Chemistry Professor

Teach chemistry lectures and labs and lead chemical research.

  • $93,250/yr median
  • +2.3% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Childcare Center Director

Lead childcare and preschool programs, staff and families.

  • $59,300/yr median
  • -3.1% growth
  • Bachelor’s plus 2–5 years of experience

Childcare Worker

Care for children’s safety, learning and daily needs.

  • $34,980/yr median
  • -2.0% growth
  • 1–4 weeks of required training

College Administrator

Run the offices that keep colleges and universities working.

  • $104,590/yr median
  • +1.8% growth
  • Master’s plus campus experience

Communications Professor

Teach public speaking, media and how people communicate.

  • $78,580/yr median
  • +2.1% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Computer Science Professor

Teach programming, algorithms and computing at the college level.

  • $96,980/yr median
  • +4.9% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Corporate Trainer

Design and deliver training that helps employees learn their jobs.

  • $69,280/yr median
  • +10.8% growth
  • 4 years or subject expertise plus training courses

Criminal Justice Professor

Teach how the justice system works and research crime and policing.

  • $76,590/yr median
  • +1.5% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Cultural Studies Professor

Teach the history, culture and politics of regions and communities.

  • $85,020/yr median
  • +2.7% growth
  • 6–8 years after a bachelor’s

Earth Sciences Professor

Teach geology, oceans, weather and space science at the college level.

  • $103,170/yr median
  • +2.4% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Economics Professor

Teach how markets, money and policy work, and research the economy.

  • $123,920/yr median
  • +2.4% growth
  • 5–6 years after a bachelor’s

Education Professor

Prepare future teachers and research how people learn.

  • $75,350/yr median
  • +2.5% growth
  • 8+ years including teaching

Elementary School Teacher

Teach children in grades 1 through 5 the foundations of every subject.

  • $63,970/yr median
  • -0.4% growth
  • 4 years plus licensing

Engineering Professor

Teach engineering and lead research labs at colleges and universities.

  • $109,270/yr median
  • +7.8% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

English Professor

Teach college students to read closely and write well.

  • $78,760/yr median
  • 0.0% growth
  • 6–8 years after a bachelor’s

Environmental Science Professor

Teach how people and the environment interact, and how to protect it.

  • $94,980/yr median
  • +2.7% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Foreign Language Professor

Teach college students to speak, read and understand another language and culture.

  • $79,350/yr median
  • +0.2% growth
  • 6–8 years after a bachelor’s

Geography Professor

Teach how places, people and environments connect, and how to map them.

  • $97,590/yr median
  • +2.7% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Teach college sections and labs while earning a graduate degree.

  • $42,910/yr median
  • +2.7% growth
  • Start during graduate school

High School Teacher

Teach teenagers a subject and prepare them for college, careers and life.

  • $72,040/yr median
  • -0.2% growth
  • 4 years plus licensing

History Professor

Teach college students how the past shaped today and how to study it.

  • $83,820/yr median
  • 0.0% growth
  • 6–8 years after a bachelor’s

Instructional Coordinator

Improve teaching and learning by developing curriculum and coaching teachers.

  • $77,440/yr median
  • +1.6% growth
  • Master’s plus 5+ years of teaching

Kindergarten Teacher

Teach children their first year of school: reading, math and how to learn.

  • $62,680/yr median
  • -0.3% growth
  • 4 years plus licensing

Law Professor

Teach future lawyers and write about the law.

  • $128,500/yr median
  • +2.6% growth
  • 7+ years after high school plus experience

Librarian

Help people find information, discover books and build skills.

  • $68,270/yr median
  • +2.6% growth
  • Bachelor’s plus 1–2 year master’s

Library Assistant

Check out books, help patrons and keep the library running.

  • $36,910/yr median
  • -6.4% growth
  • A few weeks on the job

Library Science Professor

Train future librarians and information professionals.

  • $80,340/yr median
  • +2.7% growth
  • 6–8 years after a bachelor’s

Library Technician

Help libraries run smoothly, from checkouts to cataloging.

  • $44,580/yr median
  • -6.4% growth
  • 6 months–2 years

Math Professor

Teach college math, from calculus to advanced theory.

  • $79,940/yr median
  • +1.7% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Middle School CTE Teacher

Introduce middle schoolers to careers through hands-on projects.

  • $65,030/yr median
  • -0.5% growth
  • 4 years plus licensure

Middle School Teacher

Teach students in grades 6 through 8 through big changes in learning and life.

  • $64,370/yr median
  • -0.4% growth
  • 4 years plus licensing

Nursing Instructor

Teach and supervise the next generation of nurses.

  • $80,250/yr median
  • +17.1% growth
  • 6–8 years

Physics Professor

Teach physics and lead research into how the universe works.

  • $100,310/yr median
  • +2.4% growth
  • 6–9 years after a bachelor’s

Political Science Professor

Teach how governments, elections and policy work.

  • $98,070/yr median
  • +2.5% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Postsecondary CTE Instructor

Teach adults a trade or technical skill at a community or technical college.

  • $63,820/yr median
  • -0.3% growth
  • Several years of field experience

Preschool Teacher

Teach young children through play, routines and early learning.

  • $38,140/yr median
  • +4.5% growth
  • 6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate)

Psychology Professor

Teach how people think, feel and behave, and research the mind.

  • $80,340/yr median
  • +4.0% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Recreation and Fitness Professor

Teach exercise science, physical education and recreation at the college level.

  • $77,270/yr median
  • +2.2% growth
  • 6–8 years after a bachelor’s

School Counselor

Help students succeed academically, socially and in planning their futures.

  • $64,330/yr median
  • +2.9% growth
  • Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s

School Principal

Lead a school’s teachers, students and families toward strong learning.

  • $105,870/yr median
  • -0.3% growth
  • 5+ years of teaching plus a master’s

School Psychologist

Help students learn, behave and feel well by assessing and supporting them.

  • $95,990/yr median
  • +0.8% growth
  • 3 years after a bachelor’s

Self-Enrichment Teacher

Teach people a skill they want to learn for fun or personal growth.

  • $46,800/yr median
  • +3.5% growth
  • Years building skill in your subject

Social Work Professor

Prepare future social workers and research social problems.

  • $77,570/yr median
  • +2.6% growth
  • 8+ years including practice

Sociology Professor

Teach how societies, groups and institutions shape people’s lives.

  • $84,290/yr median
  • +2.2% growth
  • 5–7 years after a bachelor’s

Special Education Teacher

Teach and support students with disabilities so they can learn and thrive.

  • $65,120/yr median
  • -0.4% growth
  • 4 years plus licensing

Substitute Teacher

Step in for absent teachers and keep classrooms learning.

  • $41,670/yr median
  • +2.0% growth
  • Days to weeks for a substitute permit

Teacher Assistant

Support teachers and help students learn in classrooms.

  • $36,780/yr median
  • -0.3% growth
  • Weeks to 2 years depending on the district

Tutor

Help students master subjects and prepare for tests one-on-one.

  • $43,350/yr median
  • -0.2% growth
  • Weeks to months

Compare education and childcare careers

#CareerMedian payGrowth 2025–35Training timeTypical entry education
1Law Professor$128,500+2.6%7+ years after high school plus experienceDoctoral or professional degree
2Economics Professor$123,920+2.4%5–6 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
3Engineering Professor$109,270+7.8%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
4Health Sciences Professor$107,310+17.9%8+ yearsDoctoral or professional degree
5School Principal$105,870-0.3%5+ years of teaching plus a master’sMaster's degree
6College Administrator$104,590+1.8%Master’s plus campus experienceMaster's degree
7Earth Sciences Professor$103,170+2.4%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
8Forestry and Conservation Professor$101,420+2.8%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
9Physics Professor$100,310+2.4%6–9 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
10Anthropology Professor$99,650+2.6%6–8 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
11Business Professor$99,080+5.9%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
12Agricultural Sciences Professor$98,700+2.9%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
13Political Science Professor$98,070+2.5%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
14Geography Professor$97,590+2.7%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
15Computer Science Professor$96,980+4.9%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
16Architecture Professor$96,870+2.6%6–8 yearsDoctoral or professional degree
17School Psychologist$95,990+0.8%3 years after a bachelor’sMaster's degree
18Environmental Science Professor$94,980+2.7%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
19Chemistry Professor$93,250+2.3%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
20Cultural Studies Professor$85,020+2.7%6–8 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
21Biology Professor$84,620+7.3%6–9 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
22Sociology Professor$84,290+2.2%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
23History Professor$83,8200.0%6–8 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
24Library Science Professor$80,340+2.7%6–8 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
25Psychology Professor$80,340+4.0%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
26Philosophy and Religion Professor$80,260+2.0%6–8 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
27Nursing Instructor$80,250+17.1%6–8 yearsDoctoral or professional degree
28Math Professor$79,940+1.7%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
29Foreign Language Professor$79,350+0.2%6–8 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
30English Professor$78,7600.0%6–8 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
31Art, Drama and Music Professor$78,620+2.2%6–9 years after high schoolMaster's degree
32Communications Professor$78,580+2.1%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
33Social Work Professor$77,570+2.6%8+ years including practiceDoctoral or professional degree
34Instructional Coordinator$77,440+1.6%Master’s plus 5+ years of teachingMaster's degree
35Recreation and Fitness Professor$77,270+2.2%6–8 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
36Criminal Justice Professor$76,590+1.5%5–7 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
37Family and Consumer Sciences Professor$75,870+2.4%6–8 years after a bachelor’sDoctoral or professional degree
38Education Professor$75,350+2.5%8+ years including teachingDoctoral or professional degree
39High School Special Education Teacher$74,260-0.2%4 years plus licensureBachelor's degree
40High School Teacher$72,040-0.2%4 years plus licensingBachelor's degree
41Corporate Trainer$69,280+10.8%4 years or subject expertise plus training coursesBachelor's degree
42Librarian$68,270+2.6%Bachelor’s plus 1–2 year master’sMaster's degree
43Middle School Special Education Teacher$66,810-0.4%4 years plus licensureBachelor's degree
44Career and Technical Education Teacher$66,270-0.4%Industry experience plus licensingBachelor's degree
45Special Education Teacher$65,120-0.4%4 years plus licensingBachelor's degree
46Middle School CTE Teacher$65,030-0.5%4 years plus licensureBachelor's degree
47Preschool Special Education Teacher$64,830+2.4%4 years plus licensureBachelor's degree
48Archivist$64,550+3.4%2 years after a bachelor’sMaster's degree
49Middle School Teacher$64,370-0.4%4 years plus licensingBachelor's degree
50School Counselor$64,330+2.9%Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’sMaster's degree
51Elementary School Teacher$63,970-0.4%4 years plus licensingBachelor's degree
52Postsecondary CTE Instructor$63,820-0.3%Several years of field experienceBachelor's degree
53Kindergarten Teacher$62,680-0.3%4 years plus licensingBachelor's degree
54Adult Education Teacher$61,540-13.9%4 years plus certificatesBachelor's degree
55Childcare Center Director$59,300-3.1%Bachelor’s plus 2–5 years of experienceBachelor's degree
56Self-Enrichment Teacher$46,800+3.5%Years building skill in your subjectHigh school diploma or equivalent
57Library Technician$44,580-6.4%6 months–2 yearsPostsecondary nondegree award
58Tutor$43,350-0.2%Weeks to monthsSome college, no degree
59Graduate Teaching Assistant$42,910+2.7%Start during graduate schoolBachelor's degree
60Substitute Teacher$41,670+2.0%Days to weeks for a substitute permitBachelor's degree
61Preschool Teacher$38,140+4.5%6 months (CDA) to 2 years (associate)Associate's degree
62Library Assistant$36,910-6.4%A few weeks on the jobHigh school diploma or equivalent
63Teacher Assistant$36,780-0.3%Weeks to 2 years depending on the districtSome college, no degree
64Childcare Worker$34,980-2.0%1–4 weeks of required trainingHigh school diploma or equivalent

Getting hired in education and childcare

Volunteer, substitute or work as a teacher assistant first. Classroom experience is the best way to find out whether you enjoy the work, and schools often hire from their own pool.

What affects pay in this field

  • Public versus private schools and centers
  • Degree level and state salary schedules
  • Subject or specialty shortages (special education, STEM, career and technical education)
  • Extra-duty pay for coaching, summer school and tutoring

Find your fit

Take the Education & Childcare career quiz to see which of these roles matches your interests best.

Education & Childcare careers FAQ

What is the highest-paying education and childcare career on this list?

Law Professor has the highest median pay among our education and childcare profiles at $128,500 per year (BLS, May 2025).

Which education and childcare career is fastest to start?

Childcare Worker typically takes about 1–4 weeks of required training of training.

Which education and childcare career is growing fastest?

Health Sciences Professor, with projected growth of +17.9% from 2025–35 (much faster than average).

How do I choose the right education and childcare career?

Compare day-to-day duties, training time and pay, then take our Education & Childcare career quiz for a personalized match. Reading a day in the life for your top two choices helps a lot.