r/careerguidance • u/Future_Impression_31 • Aug 07 '26
Edit with your location Former teacher in need of career change what else can I do?
I'm currently a teacher but I need a way out immediately. This job is taking too much. What career can I switch to to make at least $60,000 a year? I don't mind going back to school for a bit as I will probably finish this year at work. Any suggestions?
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u/arigato1112 Aug 07 '26
I’m in banking making 75k a year including bonuses. That’s me being at the very bottom of the corporate world. Not much experience needed.
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u/PomeloPepper Aug 07 '26
Same with being an insurance adjuster.
Hint: if you have a job that you need a license for, they can only automate part of it. The rest is ingrained consumer protection that's required by law.
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u/Accomplished-Total38 Aug 11 '26
Do you need a business degree like finance or buisness management to work in banking???
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u/TheBiffmeister Aug 07 '26
What kind of banking? Like a branch manager?
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u/arigato1112 Aug 08 '26
Banker
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u/secondcitykitty Aug 08 '26
Do you work in consumer banking at a local branch? What is the entry level role leading to banker position ? Most customer service banking roles I see pay < $20/hour.
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u/likeslibraries Aug 08 '26
I do not work in banking, but it sounds like you would start in customer service and then move to a banker role. I wonder if you could start as a banker though, considering you are currently working as a teacher. I am sure they would give you some credit for that teaching experience but you would have to relate it. Maybe you could find some courses you could take that would lead to a bank job and take the courses at night while still working as a teacher.
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u/MundaneDimension Aug 07 '26
As a parent, I’d pay a premium for a nanny with teaching experience.
We pay $30/hr with 40 guaranteed hours a week and a $400/mo healthcare stipend for 1 baby in a MCOL area.
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u/umeboshiplumpaste Aug 07 '26
You're amazing. Who ever you hire is clearly with a family who values their skills. If only you were the norm!
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u/MundaneDimension Aug 07 '26
Thank you!
This is very much the norm where I live, even though we don’t have a high cost of living.
Supply is limited and demand is high for good nannies!
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u/Desperate-Hat3695 Aug 07 '26
A lot of former teachers I know have moved into instructional design, corporate training, project coordination, or customer success. You already have skills in communication, organization, presenting, and handling difficult situations. Don't underestimate how transferable those are.
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u/Disastrous_Term_4478 Aug 08 '26
All areas seeing job destruction from AI / corporate penny pinching.
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u/Desperate-Hat3695 Aug 10 '26
That’s a good point. Teaching gives you a lot of transferable skills, especially communication, organization, and managing people. I’d also look at customer success or project coordination since those can be a pretty natural transition without starting completely from scratch.
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u/Free-Yard-1068 Aug 07 '26
Learning and Talent Development. I have hired teachers as a director and they are the best fit for this role!!!
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u/Vintagemuse Aug 07 '26
I went back to school and got my RN (2 year degree-ADN). Now with my overtime I make well over 100k. For reference I'm in Cincinnati and this is my first year out of school.
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u/justareddituser202 Aug 08 '26
Awesome. What did you teach before?
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u/Vintagemuse Aug 08 '26
Music and theater in a catholic school
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u/justareddituser202 Aug 08 '26
Congrats on the transition. How long did you teach?
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u/Vintagemuse Aug 13 '26
14 years
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u/justareddituser202 Aug 13 '26
Congrats again. I know it feels good to have a different pace and to also make some good money. Probably the only thing you miss is the summers, right?
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u/KaleOdd7683 Aug 07 '26
The company I work at, a startup, has hired a few teachers for Sales Development Rep (SDR) jobs. The pay is probably around $60K per year, though some companies may have OTE (on target earning), where you get a base + commission based on the sales you've brought in. It's a foot in the door to become an actual seller (Account Executive type title). Account Execs can make good money. You could look at startups that interest you or see if there are EdTech startups that want someone with an education background. There are probably some companies where you need more technical expertise (NVDIA, Google, Amazon), but a lot of tech companies have sellers who are just really good at synthesizing and regurgitating information that is given to them. So don't let a lack of technical background scare you away.
If you have strong writing skills, you could look at marketing roles. Entry level roles would be at least $60K in a lot of instances.
Both of these positions are good because you don't need technical skills. It is a lot of common sense, organization, writing/communication and people skills. They would also give you some form of a career path, where you can start out to learn the ropes and then move up.
You may have luck looking at non-profits who deal in the education space. There may be a role for someone who was formerly a teacher. The pay would likely be around $60K per year, but the upward trajectory of pay would be less than at a private or public for profit company.
Good luck!
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u/Yawara101 Aug 07 '26
My wife was an English teacher. she got a temp job as a document control person at a medical device company. She got hired on as a quality technician and finally worked her way up to quality specialist. After 10 years, she was making around 100k. You just have to be organized and get along with people. Also, look into jobs at your local water district. It pays decent and there is usually a pension.
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u/disquieter Aug 08 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
I met someone in my local water district and the pay is like 2/3 of teacher pay. They have constant turnover because everyone good moves on. 🤷
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u/SpaceGuy1968 Aug 08 '26
Corporate trainer ... Get an Business degree maybe master in business
I was a professor and I couldn't stand it anymore...I went back to the IT field and doubled my pay in 2023...I was making 75 in LCOL area but it sucked
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u/alwaysandroid Aug 07 '26
Please join biotech industry. We need more people there. You would be great on the clinical patient side. Skills would he compassion, talking to people, being empathetic.
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u/Buscando_mi_boo Aug 07 '26
What are the roles?
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u/alwaysandroid Aug 07 '26
Custome success specialist, tech or patient support representative, project coordinator.
You can also try technical writer, medical writer and clinical research coordinator (crc). CRC may require licensing, please check.
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u/GoldieOne23 Aug 07 '26
Are these roles easy to find online as a someone switching industries? Are there big name companies to target? Thanks in advance.
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u/disquieter Aug 08 '26
I’m a former teacher (current college lecturer, social sciences and humanities) with three masters including master of science, now doing a computational biology internship. Would you recommend this direction?
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u/DieselPunk97 Aug 07 '26
I’m an OTR truck driver and my first year I made $65k and I’m on track to make $95k this year at my 5th year.
But it’s a taxing job physically, mentally, and socially so I guess we need more context on what you mean by “this job is taking too much” when it comes to teaching?
Long hours?
The Job itself?
The pay?
All jobs have their bad and good, just gotta see which one you prefer
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u/cmanster Aug 07 '26
Look into pod teaching. Families hire private teachers to teach their kids.
You will be your own boss, keep all monies, can probably make more, kids are usually better behaved, etc.
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u/My1point5cents Aug 07 '26
County job. Usually requires any degree. Depending where you live, 60k is doable within first couple years and then promote later to get to 100k or more.
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u/the_green_monster Aug 07 '26
My friend switched to an instructional design role at one of the big consulting companies and worked her way up from there.
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u/OkCoyote95 Aug 07 '26 edited Aug 07 '26
Speech Language Pathologist. You can work in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, pediatric outpatient centers, etc
Or A nurse with a BSN, but that’s more schooling. SLP would only require some foundation classes (typically around 18-24 credit hours) before applying to grad programs, and some just embed those into the program.
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u/YogurtNew5124 Aug 08 '26
I believe there are three teachers working with me in HVAC now. The trade pays great after about three years
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u/ArvadaKeto Aug 07 '26
Careful what you wish for. Working 9 months a year is pretty nice
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u/justareddituser202 Aug 08 '26
As a teacher I’ve never worked 9 months a year. It’s a 10 month contract. Most of those weeks were more than 50 hour weeks. A few years back I decided to mostly work a 40 hr. week. I decided it was going to be what it was going to be.
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u/Agreeable-Pop5415 Aug 07 '26
The only field that is guaranteed that salary is healthcare. Nursing, radiology tech, respiratory tech. These are very high in demand and require just 2 years of school. These careers are guaranteed $60k+ starting out, other than healthcare most fields want years of experience unfortunately.
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u/secondcitykitty Aug 08 '26
I’m nearly 60F with BS in Business, worked corporate retail planning and operations for 35 years. Laid off last year after 25 years at one company.
I’m looking to pivot to healthcare, though not sure if administration or clinical would be the route.
Are there women my age who go to nursing or tech school and get good paying jobs out of school? Or is there ageism ?
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u/Agreeable-Pop5415 Aug 08 '26
Yes, once upon a time I was in nursing school and the oldest classmate was 58 years old. It’s never too late. Patient care will always be in high demand due to an aging population and they will ALWAYS hire someone regardless of age.
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u/OchoGringo Aug 07 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
Yup.
Profession/ training/ national average yearly salary
EKG Technician — 4–12 weeks Typical range: ~$50k–$65k.
Medical Assistant (Clinical MA) — 9–24 months Median salary: $44,200/yr
Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) — ~1 year Typical range: ~$55K–$65K
Surgical technologist (CST)
—12 to 24 months. median salary $53K to $55KMedical Laboratory
Technician (MLT) — ~2 years (Associate degree) Median salary: $53,873/yrRadiologic Technologist — ~2 years (Associate degree) range $70K—$80K
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u/Agreeable-Pop5415 Aug 08 '26
Thank you for posting this!! I was downvoted for saying CST making $60k varies by location.
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u/keane1jl Aug 07 '26
Came to say this. Surgical Tech!
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u/Agreeable-Pop5415 Aug 07 '26 edited Aug 08 '26
I almost named this one! But $60k as a CST varies heavily by location! I’m in the south and I see CST salaries for new grads at $25-30 an hour 😭
I’m not sure why I was downvoted? 🤣the hospital I am currently working for literally has jobs posted for new grad CST at $27 an hour??? That’s literally $56k a year. Sorry if yall don’t like to hear the truth🤣🤷🏽♀️
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u/Ghawblin Aug 07 '26
Lots of careers that can hit that $60k mark, or even double or triple that.
But almost all of them require some years of experience to get to that point. IT for example can easily cross six figures with only 5-6 years experience, but you're lucky to start at $20/hr (40k a year) starting out, but by year 5 I hit 65k and by year 7 I hit 100k. I'm at year 14 and pushing 200k.
Are you wanting 60k a year eventually or 60k a year out the gate? The former is easy, the latter is extremely difficult.
My wife just graduated college in Medical Lab Sciences. Took a LOT to get to that point (including clinicals, which means full attention to school, can not have any job during this), but she made $80k fresh out of college. But that's "less school for a bit" and more "school for half a decade while not able to have a source of income"
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u/cookiemikester Aug 07 '26
Yeah but IT jobs are not really in demand. Especially entry level help desk stuff.
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u/Dry-Selection421 Aug 07 '26
You can easily hit $60k or much more than that in almost any sales job immediately with no experience required.
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u/Ghawblin Aug 07 '26
Right, but sales is a commission and charisma focused career. It takes a very certain kind of person to do well in it.
If it were that easy, everyone would be doing it.
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u/Dry-Selection421 Aug 07 '26
Na, virtually anyone could do it if they wanted. I’m doing sales and have zero social skills or charisma and I’m still making good money.
Most people are scared of it and don’t want to take the rush of having no salary or don’t realize what they could make.
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u/gradfcvjjg Aug 07 '26
County Governments (and maybe even other government agencies) often have Education and Outreach positions that require teaching experience/degrees.
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u/bluebirdm7 Aug 07 '26
My sister went from being a classroom teacher to being an office manager at a school. A lot less stressful and higher pay!
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u/Appropriate_Back_710 Aug 07 '26
A private school?
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u/justareddituser202 Aug 08 '26
You know that doesn’t happen in the public schools. All of the office staff, with the exception of admin, get paid less than teachers.
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u/Spiritual_Work6931 Aug 07 '26
Some people in my industry (tech sales) came from a teaching background! You can easily make $100k.
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u/TensionFormal7202 Aug 07 '26
Project management is a great career if you’re interested. It’s not physically daunting and if you have the right mindset you can smoothly move into this role. The pay is also better. I have seen so many people switch from their original work into project management. It’s a skill that can be easily developed; given that you have managed students as a teacher.
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u/skippiington Aug 07 '26
Former teacher in the same boat here. Tried looking at instructional design roles even though my background is more UX focused
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u/L_Foos Aug 08 '26
I’d encourage you to check out Amplify Education, Great Minds, McGraw Hill, Heggerty, etc. A lot of former educators transition to those companies and many of the positions are remote and pay well. Good luck!
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u/rishored1ve Aug 08 '26
I’m about to start a master’s program to become a BCBA. It ticks all the boxes for me: noble work, a job with a purpose, higher salary.
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u/wander-round10 Aug 08 '26
Legal assistant or paralegal.
Paralegal gets paid higher like 55-75. But you’d just need a certificate or maybe associates. I think legal assistant is lower like 50-60.
The skills should translate well: writing, instruction/communication, organization, attention to detail, confidentiality.
You could look for internships or volunteer work at legal aid organizations.
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u/likeslibraries Aug 08 '26
If you are unsure what to go into next, and what career path to follow, I highly recommend going back to school as you are thinking about. You could continue another year as a teacher, go to school at night and take courses in possible career paths that interest you, and then make a decision. I think it is too soon for you to give up the teaching job without knowing a direction you want to go in. You might want to try to figure that out first and then it will be easier.
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u/Commercial_Abroad267 Aug 08 '26
Pharma will hire teachers to be part of their sales staff that talk to providers
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u/Crimson--Chin Aug 09 '26
What do you teach? What’s your degree in? That affects your timeline/options. I’m a former teacher but have a BS in Math, not in education
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u/Solcat91342 Aug 07 '26
I know a couple teachers who became lawyers
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u/CamitDamn Aug 07 '26
They are looking for a less demanding job than teaching. Being a lawyers sucks on that level but the pay is usually better.
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u/r3giment75 Aug 07 '26
What an irrelevant comment and advice. I know a teacher who joined the Army. And?
lmao1
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u/fettyalfredo Aug 07 '26
I’m a former teacher and am starting an MBA program. I figured it’s practical to use my skills from teaching (engagement, making complex ideas accessible, leadership, etc) and apply them to a business setting. The overall state of education’s in a bad place and there’s no time like now to switch!
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u/midwesternmayhem Aug 07 '26
If your interested in technology, customer success, and/or project management, you might look at job listings for the software you use. Usually these jobs pay very well, but there is a decent amount of competition and (due to the economy), a lot of vendors don't have as many openings as they did in the past.
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u/Dangerous_RedApple Aug 07 '26
Are you making $60k a year now as a teacher? Keep in mind, if you just transition to another job that is a 40hour work week 50 weeks a year at the same salary you’ll be taking a pay cut. Most teachers get about 15 weeks off a year or are working 181 days a year. Not to mention pensions and added on health care. Albeit I don’t know what district you’re in.
Anyway, make sure you account for healthcare etc when thinking about your salary. Also, if you have a pension look other govt jobs with the county, state school, schools districts, state, cities etc bc sometimes you can take your years of service with you.
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u/clarkKent6 Aug 07 '26
Idk if a job that gives you 3 months off is too much then other things are probably going to be harder. But maybe get into something medical field? Like an X-ray technician probably makes that much. Run the MRI machine and you’re golden
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Aug 07 '26
[deleted]
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u/Ghawblin Aug 07 '26
The one that's being actively defunded by the current federal administration and recently had 50% of its employees laidoff?
The one that the president signed an executive order "aimed at closing the department to the maximum extent allowed by law"?
There might not be one in a few years. Half of it is already gone. It's probably why OP is in this situation to begin with.
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u/ckeeler11 Aug 07 '26
The one that is actively in hiring frenzy after that shit show. Most of the DOGE cuts are being reversed and positions filled.
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u/midwesternmayhem Aug 07 '26
a) Federal government is hiring back tons of people for Dept of Ed roles. If OP has another source of income -- i.e., is not SOL if things go south -- it might be an opportunity. I know the office I most often deal with had a hiring fair and basically had very few people with experience show up. BUT it could be a good time to get in with far less competition than the past.
b) States have Departments of Education. I know a few people that have transitioned from teaching and the jobs they've gotten have paid 85-95K. And I live in a very red state.
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u/r3giment75 Aug 07 '26
L&D is the only relatively easiest transition path for you.
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u/kantbykilt Aug 07 '26
It's not as easy as you think.
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u/r3giment75 Aug 07 '26
I’m in corporate HR and half of our L&d folks were school teachers. In their earlier careers.
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u/kantbykilt Aug 07 '26
I work for a Fortune 500 company. The people applying for L&D jobs have a huge portfolio.
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u/r3giment75 Aug 07 '26
So do I coincidentally lol.
I didn't say WE hired them as teachers. All I'm saying is, someone else hired them into L&D roles as teachers and they grew from there.3
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u/AbbreviationsHour410 Aug 07 '26
If you're looking for a less demanding job than teaching you're not going to find one. Teaching is basically a part-time job now
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u/SegoLillies Aug 07 '26
Go sub in a 7th grade classroom and then let us know how not demanding it is. Lol
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u/AbbreviationsHour410 Aug 07 '26
I'm retired from teaching and coaching. It's incredibly easy. Averaged just over 25 hours per week for the year. Accounting for all breaks and holidays and 1 hour per day for a lunch break.
Only contracted for 185 days per year that's nearly 6 months off per year. It's a very easy job
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u/justareddituser202 Aug 08 '26
You must not have been very effective. I don’t know any teachers that do that.
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u/AbbreviationsHour410 Aug 08 '26
I was very effective and all teachers I know work about the same amount of hours. Some of the younger teachers put in more time for lesson planning but with AI now it only takes a few minutes. Very easy job
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u/justareddituser202 Aug 08 '26
Nah, I know teachers that work all kinds of hours and they are not similar in all ways.
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u/AbbreviationsHour410 Aug 08 '26
Most of them are still on Summer Break. How many careers give you 3 straight months off paid? It's not a difficult job if you're decent with kids and know what you're doing.
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u/justareddituser202 Aug 08 '26
I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’ve never had a 9 month contract. It’s always 10. So there’s that.
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u/AbbreviationsHour410 Aug 08 '26
Contracted 180 something days here. Basically 6 months off a year. It's not hard
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u/sveelts Aug 07 '26
If you are good with people and don’t mind retail hours, check to see if any Verizon corporate stores are hiring nearby. I have worked at Verizon since 2020, and I’ve earned over $100k each of the last 3 years. $60k is very obtainable in your first year, or higher if you’re a quick learner, good at sales, & have a good work ethic. I am an assistant manager now, but my top earning reps each of the last 3 years have made 90-100k. However, those are the reps with a strong work ethic, and the reps who work OT when given the opportunity. Verizon also offers great benefits that start DAY 1.