Good teachers have a lifelong impact on their students. Not only do they help them learn, but they also provide support, motivation, and mentorship. Teachers, of all people, know that the teaching never stops—even long after a teacher “retires.”

If you’ve found yourself here, you may be weighing the pros and cons of leaving your traditional teaching job. In doing so, you’re joining 55% of your fellow educators considering leaving the profession earlier than planned.

Luckily, the world is your oyster when looking for jobs for former teachers. 

Companies That Hire Former Teachers

Due to the nature of the workforce and an emphasis on continuing education in various fields, there are many job opportunities for former teachers outside of schools and universities. Many of our IDOL Academy-trained instructional designers continue to work for some of your favorite companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, Pinterest, and more.

Large and small companies are looking for the skills learned as a former teacher, including organizational, management, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as soft skills like empathy, understanding, and warm, welcoming personalities.

10 of the Best Jobs for Former Teachers

1. Instructional Designer ($80,080 median annual salary)
   If you’re looking for jobs for former teachers without stepping foot in a school, an instructional designer might be the job for you. Instructional designers can find jobs in almost any industry. As an instructional designer, you’ll develop a curriculum for training programs, courses, and other educational opportunities. Many Fortune 500 companies hire former teachers as instructional designers because of their experience in education.
   
   As a virtual career school just for instructional designers, we may be biased—but we wholeheartedly believe finding a career as an instructional designer is one of the best jobs for former teachers. It’s also one of the best opportunities for former teachers to find a remote job, providing more work-life balance than a career in traditional education. Plus, getting up to speed on all things instructional design as you transition into the field is easy. Just sign up for IDOL Academy, and you’ll be certified in as little as 24 weeks!
   
   
2. Social Worker ($55,350 median annual salary)
   Social work is a natural transition job for former teachers, especially those who started their teaching careers to help children. Those with a high aptitude for motivating and protecting others may find careers as social workers incredibly rewarding, albeit emotional at times. Social workers can still be connected to learning institutions but not be required to work in a classroom.
   
   
3. Academic Advisor ($60,140 median annual salary)
   Similarly, former teachers who enjoy the mentorship aspect of teaching may enjoy transitioning into a role as an academic advisor. Most notably, academic advisors support those entering higher education in a profession working with college-level students. Though not required to work in classrooms, advisors may have more professional roles with a more traditional work-life balance.
   
   
4. Human Resources Manager ($130,000 median annual salary)
   Teachers have excellent people skills from working with children, fellow teachers, and parents. Problem-solving, communication, and evaluation skills all play a role in teaching and human resources careers, making HR an excellent next job for former teachers.
   
   
5. Education Consultant ($61,000 median annual salary)
   Education consultants may be hired by public companies or private personnel to consult over educational choices in institutions or at home. Former teachers now working as education consultants use their knowledge of the education system and curriculum to help others achieve their education goals. You may have heard of two popular consultant roles: college and homeschool consultants. Both help others evaluate and discover the best pathway for education, whether in the home or higher education. Consultant positions are typical remote jobs for former teachers who want more flexibility.
   
   
6. School Principal ($101,320 median annual salary)
   Though still an integral part of a school’s ecosystem, a principal’s main job is not to teach students in a classroom but to ensure that the school runs proficiently and adequately. They prioritize the needs of students, teachers, and other education professionals to ensure a healthy and safe environment for all in attendance. Jobs as principals are prevalent among former teachers and are a natural next step for those who wish to move up within their school and school district.
   
   
7. Educational Sales Rep ($35,290 median annual salary)
   An educational sales representative sells software, solutions, and products that make schools, learning institutions, and education better for teachers and students. Understanding how students learn is an integral part of a teacher’s job, helps educational sales reps connect with potential customers, and leads to a successful sales career.
   
   
8. Private Tutor ($36,680 median annual salary)
   Private tutors typically have the luxury of making their hours, working as little or as often as they’d like, and choosing their clients. While, like teachers, they still enjoy working with students and helping them achieve their academic goals, private tutors tend to have a more relaxed and flexible work-life balance.
   
   
9. Author ($73,150 median annual salary)
   Anyone can become an author, but former teachers have a unique perspective as experts on specific topics such as mathematics, science, foreign language, or even their experience as educational professionals. Many teachers are excellent written and verbal communicators, making them great candidates for jobs as writers and authors.
   
   
10. Project Manager ($95,370 median annual salary)
    Teachers are professional project managers within their classrooms, managing teams of students to ensure that each milestone in their academic year gets completed efficiently and successfully. These management, organizational, and people skills directly translate to successful project management skills in the business world. Project management roles are popular remote jobs for former teachers who wish to move to a different work environment.

Is instructional design the right job for you?

As our top pick for the best job for former teachers, instructional design is a gratifying career for those looking for a new direction outside the classroom. As a teacher who entered the education field to help students, instructional designers continue to help students of all kinds learn and perfect their skills, whether in a training facility or at a desk.

If you’re looking for a remote job as a former teacher, instructional design is an excellent choice. Many of our IDOL Academy graduates have found remote jobs as former teachers working as consultants and part-time or full-time employees within companies worldwide. You can take our quiz to find out if this field is right for you!

The best instructional designers are passionate about learning and helping others, no matter their work environment. If this sounds like you, take our quiz to see if an instructional design career would benefit you! If you’d like to hear from other former teachers about the potential of the career, you can listen to our Leaving the Classroom podcast!