Average Salary With a Master’s in Education
You can start working as a teacher with just a bachelor’s degree, but earning your master’s in education not only opens more jobs to you, but it also allows you to make more money even if you remain working as a teacher. Let’s take a look at the average salary you can expect in this field based on the job you ultimately take.
Base Salary for Education Majors
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, kindergarten and elementary school teachers earned $51,380 annually in May of 2010. Your salary depends on your title, of course, but with a master’s degree, you can expect to make five to ten percent more annually than you would with just your bachelor’s degree. In this industry, you definitely have the potential to earn a six-figure salary. Of course, it depends on a lot of outside factors, but top administrators such as school principals, school district superintendents, and educational researcher often make over $100,000 a year.
Salary by Job Title
With a master’s degree in education, you can continue to teach, but many go on to work as school administrators or other jobs in the field. Here are the salary rates, on average, you can expect with these types of jobs:
- Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals: $86,970
- Instructional Coordinators: $58,830
- Librarians: $54,500
- School and Career Counselors: $53,380
- Social Workers: $42,480
- Special Education Teachers: $53,220
In general, you can make more money working in higher education, but it depends on your specific job, as well as your experience in the field.
Other Factors Affecting Salary
With a master’s degree in education, you can also make more money by considering a few other factors. For example, you’ll make more money, in general, by working for a private school than you will by working for a public school In fact, some private schools require applicants to have a master’s degree in education or their specific field. You can also make more money in some locations than in others. If you live in a location where teachers are in high demand, you might also even qualify for state programs where your students loans will be repaid in exchange for working in these areas. Check out the Stafford Loan Forgiveness program for more information about this program
Campus and Online Masters in Education Programs
A masters degree in education (M.Ed., MA.Ed., MS, MA, MAT, etc.) can include majors such as administration, counseling, curriculum & instruction, elementary education, secondary education, higher education, general education, special education, and many more. Below, you can browse some of the top-ranked accredited universities that offer masters degrees in education for aspiring teachers, teachers looking to further their careers, or those looking to become administrators.
MA: Teaching MAT: Secondary English MAT: Secondary Math MAT: Secondary Science |
University of Southern California – USC, a respected provider of online and onsite education, is an affordable option for students looking to further their careers in education. You will learn high-demand skills and retain knowledge that can be applied to real-world applications. Student have various online, accredited degrees to select from like Teaching, Secondary English, Secondary Math, and Secondary Science. |
M.Ed. in Secondary Ed. M.Ed. in Elementary Edu. M.Ed. in Special Ed. |
Liberty University – Liberty University is one of the top schools offering online, accredited degree programs. We have several Masters in Education degrees for students to select and specialize in the field of their interest, including Secondary Education Elementary Education, and Special Education. These degrees are for student who want to advance their careers in a relatively short time. |
MS: Educational Psychology MS: Online Learning MS: Higher Education Admin |
Capella University – Capella University has many Masters in Education degrees available online and onsite. These accredited courses have practical, hands-on assignments that engage students and place them in the center of a fast-growing field. These degrees are for students who are interested in to becoming an Educational Psychologist, an Online Learning Instructor, or even enter Higher Education Administration. |
MS in Education MA in Teaching MSHE in Student Affairs MSHE in College Admin. MSE in Instructional Tech |
Kaplan University – Kaplan offers a variety of accredited online Masters in Education programs, each designed to meet the specific goals of students who want to: obtain a masters in education, obtain a teaching license after getting their undergraduate degree in something other than teaching, become a school counselor, become a school principal , or teach college courses, develop K-12 curriculum, or develop college level curriculum. |
M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership M.Ed. in National Board Prep M.Ed. in Gifted Students M.Ed. in STEM |
University of Cincinnati – U of Cincinnati, a national leader in education programs offers a wide array of master in education online degrees. These include programs for; becoming a teacher leader, becoming a school principal, and developing innovative curriculum. In addition, MEd programs are focused to prepare teachers to teach specific subjects, these include: gifted students, teaching pre K thru 6th math, as well as obtain a reading certification, teach special education, or (STEM) Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math |
MS in Curriculum & Inst. MS in Middle Level Edu. MS in Elementary Literacy MS in Grades 6-8 Math |
Walden University – Walden University is among the largest educators with thousands of accredited degrees offered. Several degrees are offered in the field of Education at the Masters level alone. Even better, classes can be taken online and at the campus. Walden has several degrees available for students interested in Masters in Education programs, including Curriculum and Instruction, Middle Level Education, Elementary Literacy, and Middle Level Math. |
MEd in Athletic Admin MEd in eLearning MEd in Global Training MEd in Early Childhood Ed |
Northcentral University – For students who are seeking to advance their careers in education, Northcentral University has crafted many online programs that offer a unique learning experience to each student. These online programs also provide more flexibility and convenience than campus programs and can be completed at a pace that is comfortable. Students can specialize in a field of their choice like Athletic Admin, eLearning, Global Training & Development, and Early Childhood Education. |
MA in Distance Learning MA in Curriculum & Inst. MA in Early Childhood Ed. MA in Higher Education |
Ashford University – Ashford University presents itself as an affordable, respected college with accredited online and campus programs available. This choice gives students more options in deciding what program best fits their needs, preferences, and schedule. Graduates will be more prepared to seek high level positions specializing in Distance Learning, Higher Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or Early Childhood Education. |
M.Ed. in Administration M.Ed. in Early Ed. M.Ed. in Elementary Ed. M.Ed. in Secondary Ed. M.Ed. in Special Ed. |
Grand Canyon University – GCU offers multiple online master of education degree programs, such as programs for those that want to become a principal, work in early education, work in elementary education, work with middle school aged students, teach special ed students, or teach ESL. The curriculum follows the industry’s standards and best practices which in turn provides students with a better understand of the current work environment. |
M.Ed. in Instructional Design M.Ed. in Curriculum & Inst. M.Ed. in Leadership |
American Intercontinental University – AIU is a top provider of accredited education with degrees in almost every subject at every level. AIU uses industry standards and best practices along with hands-on assignments to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. All of the Masters in Education degrees, including Instructional Design, Curriculum and Instruction, and Leadership; are designed to enable students to further theor careers. |
MS in Learning Tech MS in Edu Admin |
Drexel University – Drexel University, a highly-regarded provider in education, has many masters in education online programs for students to choose from. This wide selection gives students greater control of their careers and where to direct their field of interest. Drexel has a variety of online programs including MS in Special Education, MS in Learning Technologies, MS in Edu Admin, and MS in Higher Education. |
MEd in Teaching MEd in Instructional Design |
Post University – Post University has two masters in education degrees available through online programs for students who want to advance their careers quickly: MEd in Teaching and MEd in Instructional Design and Technology. Post University has over 100 years of experience in helping students obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to fill positions high in demand. |
MS in Education (MSEd) MSEd: College Admin MSEd: Leadership MSEd: Teaching & Learning |
Keiser University – As one of the leading colleges in online and campus education, Keiser University is backed by years of experience in helping student start or advance their careers. The Masters in Education degrees offered at KU place students in the center of an ever-growing field that is always in need of high demand for industy professionals, like College Administrators, Educational Leaders, and Teachers. |
M.Ed. in Edu. Management M.Ed. in Technology in Edu M.Ed. in Adult Education |
Strayer University – Strayer is a leader in accredited online education. Their online masters in education management is designed for those who are focused on becoming a school administrator, whereas their MEd in Technology in Education degree is designed for those who want to develop education curriculum, and finally, their MEd in Adult Education, is for those who want to become a college professor or teach at a post-graduate level. |