Retired teachers in many places have been met with harsh reality after retirement, despite earlier taking on teaching jobs with low pay with the promise they’d be taken care of after retirement. Unfortunately, in many places around the world, that promise has not been kept.
Even if being a teacher felt like your calling, As a retired/former teacher, it’s perfectly OK to want another career that isn’t related to teaching or education. You deserve happiness.
Let’s start by asking yourself: Where do your interests lie? What fascinates you? Many former teachers are drawn to careers in communications, business, or journalism since they often have pre-existing skills that are easily transferable into those fields. Others have been recorded to be successful in exploring opportunities relating to healthcare or major areas of study that they may have enjoyed in college but never pursued beyond the classroom.
Jobs for retired teachers
Here’s a list of highest paying career paths former teachers has had great success transitioning to:
Human Resources (HR) Specialist
Teachers are known to help and motivate people to succeed by developing their knowledge and talents. Human resources professionals also do the same but by matching people to the right positions, training opportunities, and benefit options. If you’re considering this career path,
you may require some additional business education, but the rewards of this field tend to make the extra effort worth it.
The Median salary for HR Professionals is: $61,920
While their Highest salary is: $105,930 or more
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Like other teachers who have successfully transitioned into this career path, you may be great at organizing, planning, and have a knack for paying attention to detail. With a career in compensation and benefits, you can use those skillsets while still serving a meaningful purpose.
The Median salary of a Compensation and Benefits Manager is: $122,270
While the Highest salary is: $208,000 or more
Personal Financial Advisor
If your educational and teaching background is in mathematics, this occupation may be a great option. As your ability to calculate numbers, interpret their meaning, and explain complex concepts would serve you well in this type of role.
The Median salary of a Personal Financial Advisor is: $87,850
While the Highest recorded salary is: $208,000 or more
Dental Hygienist
As a former teacher, you could totally excel in this occupation. After all, you most likely already have the ability to pay attention to detail, make people feel comfortable, and educate people who need friendly reminders about what’s best for them.
The Median salary for a Dental Hygienist is: $76,220
While the Highest salary is: $103,340 or more
Writer
Ex teachers often make exceptional writers and the demand for great writers are ever flowing, not just in the worlds of publishing and entertainment. Unlimited numbers of non-profit organizations and businesses also needs great writers, be it
for internal or external marketing, technical documentation, grant applications, or even proposals.
The Median salary for technical writers is: $72,850
While the Highest salary for technical writers is: $117,250 or more
The Median yearly pay for other writers and authors is: $63,200
While the Highest yearly pay for other writers and authors is: $122,450 or more
Registered Nurse (RN)
If empathy, attention to detail, emotional resilience and organizational skills are some of your biggest strengths, then you owe it to yourself to at least consider becoming an RN, especially since this is one of America’s most in-demand jobs. You’d be requiring additional education.
The Median salary of a RN is: $73,300
While the highest salary of a RN is: $111,220 or more
Marketing Specialist
If you’re a highly creative individual and your teaching experience has given you deeper insights into human behavior, then many companies, non-profit organizations, and marketing agencies look for professionals with the ability to empathize with other people and understand their motivations. So, with a little extra coursework in marketing, you would be able to find great jobs that will take advantage of many of the skills you already possess.
The Median salary of a Marketing Specialist is: $63,790
While the Highest salary is: $122,630 or more
Respiratory Therapist
If you still want to play a meaningful role in the lives of children but want nothing to do with the four walls of the classroom anymore, you can be of help as many kids have asthma or other breathing disorders which require careful monitoring and evaluation. You could start this career path with a two-year associate degree in this field.
The Median salary of a Respiratory Therapist is: $61,330
While the Highest salary is: $86,980 or more
Occupational Therapy Assistant
If you’re good at adapting to the needs and personalities of different people, then this career path is for you. It’d also draw heavily from your ability to teach others (children inclusive). But your major focus would be helping people who’re temporarily or permanently disabled learn how to perform basic tasks of daily living, often with assistive devices. Many vocational schools offer convenient associate degree programs in this field.
The Median salary of an Occupational Therapist Assistant is: $61,510
While the Highest salary is: $82,210 or more
Public Relations (PR) Specialist
Great communication is the name of the game in this field. With experience teaching in the classroom, there’s a high chance you’ve got that covered. Of course, this occupation is also about reaching out and forming great lasting relationships with the public and other media professionals. You’d need your writing, planning, and public speaking skills to excel in a PR job.
The Median salary of a PR Specialist is: $61,150
While the Highest salary is: $115,430 or more
Radiologic Technologist
The Median salary of a Radiologist is: $60,510
While the Highest salary is: $89,760 or more
Physical Therapist Assistant
The Median salary of a Physical Therapist Assistant is: $58,790
While the Highest salary is: $80,840 or more
Executive Assistant
The Median salary of an Executive Assistant is: $60,890
While the Highest salary is: $91,330 or more
Paralegal
The Median salary of a paralegal is: $51,740
While the Highest salary is: $82,500 or more
Event Planner
The Median salary of an Event Planner is: $50,600
While the Highest salary is: $86,390 or more
Real Estate Agent
The Median salary of a Realtor is: $48,930
While the highest salary is: $111,800 or more
Licensed Practical or Vocational Nurse (LPN or LVN)
The Median salary of a LPN or LVN is: $47,480
While the Highest salary is: $63,360 or more
Child and Family Social Worker
The Median salary of a Social Worker is: $47,390
While the Highest salary is: $78,230 or more
Medical Laboratory Technician
The Median salary of a Lab Technician is: $53,120
While the Highest salary is: $81,530 or more
Personal Fitness Trainer
The Median salary of a Personal Fitness Trainer is: $40,390
While the Highest salary is: $75,400 or more
Dental Assistant
The Median salary of a Dental Assistant is: $40,080
While the Highest salary is: $56,930 or more
Optician
The Median salary of an optician is: $37,840
While the Highest salary is: $60,840 or more
Veterinary Technician
The Median salary of a Veterinary Technician is: $35,320
While the Highest salary is: $51,230 or more
Medical Assistant
The Median salary of a Medical Assistant is: $34,800
While the Highest salary is: $48,720 or more
Actuary
The Median salary of an Actuary is: $108,350
While the Highest salary is: $193,600 or more
Statistician
The Median salary of a statistician is: $91,160
While the Highest salary is: $146,770 or more
Operations Research Analyst
The Median salary of an operations research analyst is: $84,810
While the Highest salary is: $140,790 or more
Editor
The Median salary of an editor is: $61,370
While the Highest salary is: $122,280 or more
Sales Representative
The Median yearly pay of non-technical product sales reps is: $59,930
While the Highest yearly pay of non-technical product sales reps is: $125,300 or more
The Median yearly pay of service sales reps is: $56,130
While the Highest yearly pay of service sales reps is: $120,460 or more
Curator
The Median salary of a curator is: $54,570
While the Highest salary is: $94,750 or more
Interpreter or Translator
The Median salary of a translator is: $51,830
While the Highest salary is: $94,370 or more
Chemical Technician
The Median salary of a Chemical Technician is: $49,260
While the Highest salary is: $80,350 or more
Biological Technician
The Median salary of a Biological Technician is: $45,860
While the Highest salary is: $73,350 or more
Museum Technician
The Median salary of a Museum Technician is: $44,430
While the Highest salary is: $76,330 or more
Bus Driver
The Median salary for transit drivers is: $43,030
While the Highest salary for transit drivers is: $70,810 or more
The Median salary for school bus drivers is: $31,340
While the Highest salary for school bus drivers is: $49,500 or more
Activities Director
The Median salary of a Activities Director is: $40,9201
While the Highest salary is: $58,000 or more
Private Nanny
The Median salary for a Private Nanny is: $33,1721
While the Highest salary is: $53,000 or more
Below listed are some examples of alternative careers in education that doesn’t involve a classroom:
School Guidance Counselor
The Median salary for a Guidance Counselor is: $57,040
While the Highest salary is: $96,090 or more
School Administrator
The Median salary for a School Administrator is: $85,450
While the Highest salary is: $146,190 or more
Instructional Coordinator
The Median salary for an Instructional Coordinator is: $66,290
While the Highest salary for an Instructional Coordinator is: $103,790 or more
Educational Consultant
The Median yearly pay for an Educational Consultant is: $63,5851
While the Highest yearly pay for an Educational Consultant is: $97,000 or more
Librarian
The Median salary for a librarian is: $59,500
While the Highest salary for a librarian is: $94,520 or more
College or University Academic Advisor
The Median salary for an Academic advisor is: $43,9161
While the Highest salary for an Academic advisor is: $58,000 or more
