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If you enjoy working with people and helping them learn, the field of education may be right for you. Teaching is demanding work, but many people find it extremely rewarding. And there’s always a need for good teachers.
Top Education Occupations
Education Occupations with Highest Number of Jobs
Projected through 2016
Title (in order of projected need, highest first) |
Wage Range (2006) |
Child Care Workers |
$7-14 per hour |
Elementary School Teachers, except Special Education |
$31,480-74,670 per year |
Secondary School Teachers, except Vocational and Special Education |
$32,920-78,100 per year |
Teacher Assistants |
$24,640-33,050 per year |
Middle School Teacher, except Vocational and Special Education |
$32.630-75,010 per year |
Preschool Teachers, except Special Education |
$7-19 per hour |
Social and Human Service Assistants |
$8-20 per hour |
Child, Family, and School Social Workers |
$12-31 per hour |
Special Education Teachers in Preschool, Elementary, and Secondary School |
$32,700-75,900 per year |
Self-enrichment Education Teachers (teachers of courses that don’t lead to diploma or vocation) |
$9-32 per hour |
For detailed descriptions of these jobs, check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics educational services career guide (http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs034.htm).
Getting the Education You Need
It makes sense that people who work in education are among the most highly educated workers in the U.S. labor force. Almost two-thirds have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many have advanced degrees.
Starting as a teacher aide or assistant can be a good starting point if you don’t have a four-year degree. Aides and assistants usually need at least two years of post-secondary education. Some states offer an examination in lieu of this requirement. Many aides/assistants go on to become certified teachers after completing their bachelor’s degrees.
Public school teachers must be licensed; licensing requirements vary by state. Private schools, on the other hand, may hire people who are not licensed. Private schools often look for people with work experience in the fields they plant to teach. Advancement often requires additional coursework, especially in public schools.
Specializations such as special education and educational counseling have additional requirements.
Most post-secondary settings require that instructors have an advanced degree (master’s or doctorate). However, if you have experience in a trade and are working on teacher certification or your bachelor’s degree, you might find a job in a vocational college.
Community colleges, technical/vocational schools, and four-year colleges and universities provide teacher training. If you have a job or family responsibilities, consider part-time or online programs.
Your school may be able to help you pay for college. State education departments and the U.S. Department of Education
(http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp) also have information on student financial aid. Likely increases in government financial aid could make it easier to afford college.
If you want to teach in a low-income school, the new Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program (http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/4807Teach_FactSheet_v3.pdf) may be for you. It provides up to $4,000 per year to students in exchange for a commitment to teach in high needs fields for a certain number of years.
Your Future in Education
The demand for educators is always high. With a large percentage of education employees 45 years of age or older, retirement will create many job openings in the not-too-distant future.
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