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Is an Education Degree Worth It?
Yes, an education degree is worth it for students committed to teaching or educational leadership. Education graduates earn a median $64,330 per year (BLS, 2024), well above the typical earnings of workers whose highest credential is a high school diploma. With 307,300 annual job openings – one of the largest pools of any field – and K-12 administrators earning $105,870 at the median, the investment pays off especially well for those who advance into leadership or specialized roles.
What do education graduates earn?
Key takeaway: Education salaries range from $43,350 for tutors to $105,870 for K-12 administrators. Classroom teachers earn $63,970 to $72,040 at the median, with stable demand driven by 91,000+ elementary teaching openings annually (BLS, 2024).
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $105,870 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $104,590 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $75,350 |
| Secondary School Teacher | $72,040 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,370 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $64,330 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,970 |
| Tutor | $43,350 |
| Career | Median Salary | Job Growth (2024-2034) | Annual Openings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education Administrator, K-12 | $105,870 | -1.5% | 20,800 |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | $104,590 | 1.7% | 15,100 |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | $75,350 | 2.1% | 5,600 |
| Secondary School Teacher | $72,040 | -1.6% | 66,200 |
| Middle School Teacher | $64,370 | -2.0% | 40,500 |
| Educational and Career Counselor | $64,330 | 3.5% | 31,000 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,970 | -2.0% | 91,000 |
| Tutor | $43,350 | 0.6% | 37,100 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Job growth projections from BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034.
Education offers a wide salary range depending on role, experience, and education level. A master’s degree is typically required for administrator and counselor positions, where pay exceeds $100,000. Teacher salaries also vary significantly by state and district – some states pay $20,000+ more than the national median.
How does the cost compare to earnings?
Key takeaway: Education graduates earn a median $64,330 per year (BLS, 2024) – well above the typical earnings of workers whose highest credential is a high school diploma. Because tuition varies widely by institution type, lower-cost public programs generally deliver the fastest return.
Tuition for an education bachelor’s degree varies widely by institution type. Public in-state universities are typically the most affordable option, followed by public out-of-state, for-profit, and private nonprofit schools. Because teaching salaries are steady and begin relatively early in a career, lower-cost programs tend to pay back the fastest.
Earnings reference point
- Median salary with an education degree: $64,330 (BLS, 2024)
To estimate your own return, compare this earning potential against each school’s published cost of attendance and net price. Exact tuition, payback periods, and lifetime earnings comparisons depend on the specific institution and program you choose, so we do not publish a single dollar figure for those here.
Additional financial benefits for teachers:
- State incentives: Many states offer signing bonuses, housing assistance, or tuition reimbursement for teachers in shortage areas
What is the job growth outlook for education?
Key takeaway: Education offers massive annual job volume – 307,300 openings per year – even though percentage growth is modest. Retirements and turnover drive consistent demand for new teachers, especially in STEM subjects, special education, and high-need districts.
View the data behind this chart
| Occupation | Projected job growth (2024-2034) |
|---|---|
| Educational and Career Counselor | 3.5% |
| Education Teacher, Postsecondary | 2.1% |
| Education Administrator, Postsecondary | 1.7% |
| Tutor | 0.6% |
| Education Administrator, K-12 | -1.5% |
| Secondary School Teacher | -1.6% |
| Elementary School Teacher | -2.0% |
| Middle School Teacher | -2.0% |
Key demand drivers include:
- High retirement rate among current teachers (average teacher age is 42, per NCES)
- Teacher shortages in math, science, special education, and bilingual education
- Growing school enrollment in certain states and districts
- Expansion of pre-K programs and early childhood education
- Increasing demand for educational counselors (3.5% growth) and postsecondary administrators (1.7% growth)
While the BLS projects slight declines in some teaching categories, the large volume of annual openings (91,000 for elementary alone) ensures strong hiring demand. Districts across the country regularly report difficulty filling positions, particularly in rural and urban areas.
How does an education degree compare to alternatives?
Key takeaway: A bachelor’s degree in education is the standard pathway to state teaching licensure. Alternative routes exist but typically still require substantial coursework and supervised classroom hours.
| Pathway | Duration | Cost | Median Salary | Career Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education bachelor’s degree | 4 years | Varies by school | $63,970-$72,040 | Classroom teacher (K-12), tutor |
| Education master’s degree | 1.5-2 years (post-bachelor’s) | Varies by school | $64,330-$105,870 | Administrator, counselor, curriculum specialist |
| Alternative certification program | 1-2 years | Varies by school | $63,970-$72,040 | Classroom teacher (varies by state) |
| Teaching assistant certificate | 3-12 months | Varies by school | $36,780 | Paraprofessional, teacher aide |
| Subject-matter degree + teaching credential | 5+ years | Varies by school | $63,970-$72,040 | Secondary teacher in specific subject |
Alternative certification programs (such as Teach For America, state alternative routes, or university-based post-baccalaureate programs) allow career changers with a bachelor’s degree in another field to earn teaching credentials. However, these programs still require supervised student teaching and passing the Praxis exams or state equivalents.
Who should NOT get an education degree?
Not every career goal requires an education degree. Consider alternatives if:
- You want the highest possible salary. Education salaries are moderate compared to fields like computer science ($135,980 median for software developers) or business administration. If maximizing income is your primary goal, other fields offer faster returns.
- You dislike structured work environments. Teaching involves following curriculum standards, managing classrooms, and meeting administrative requirements. If you prefer unstructured, self-directed work, consider other fields.
- You are not comfortable with public speaking. Teaching requires daily presentation and interaction with students, parents, and colleagues.
- You already have a bachelor’s degree in another field. An alternative certification program may be faster and cheaper than a second bachelor’s degree.
- You want to work in educational technology rather than classrooms. A technology degree may better prepare you for instructional design or ed-tech development roles.
How to maximize the value of an education degree
Follow these strategies to get the best return on your education investment:
- Choose a public in-state university – typically the lowest tuition option, which generally delivers the fastest payback
- Target shortage subjects – math, science, special education, and bilingual education teachers are in high demand and may qualify for signing bonuses
- Pursue a master’s degree – this increases median earnings from $63,970-$72,040 to $64,330-$105,870 and opens administrative roles
- Pass Praxis exams on the first attempt – reduces additional testing costs ($90-$170 per exam) and speeds time to licensure
- Earn additional endorsements – adding ESL, special education, or reading specialist endorsements increases your marketability
- Verify CAEP accreditation – ensures your program meets standards recognized by state licensing boards at CAEP
Frequently asked questions
Is a teaching degree worth the student debt?
For most students, yes. The median teacher earns well above what a worker with only a high school diploma earns. The best strategy for keeping debt manageable is minimizing tuition by attending a public in-state university.
What is the highest-paying job with an education degree?
K-12 education administrators earn a median $105,870 per year, and postsecondary education administrators earn $104,590 (BLS, 2024). Both roles typically require a master’s degree and several years of teaching experience.
Are teachers in demand?
Yes. Despite modest percentage growth projections, education has 307,300 annual job openings – one of the highest volumes of any field. Teacher shortages in STEM subjects, special education, and high-need districts drive consistent hiring demand.
Can I teach without an education degree?
In some states, yes – through alternative certification programs that require a bachelor’s degree in any field plus supervised teaching hours and exam passage. However, most teaching positions require state licensure through an approved educator preparation program.
How does teacher pay vary by state?
Significantly. States like New York, California, and Massachusetts pay $20,000+ above the national median, while southern and rural states tend to pay below the median. Cost of living, district funding, and union contracts all influence teacher compensation.
If you are comparing pacing and cost, see: Affordable Education Programs. For a complete overview of the field, visit our education degrees guide.
Data verified: June 7, 2026. Salary, employment, and tuition figures on this page are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS May 2025; Employment Projections 2024–2034) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2023 cohort). The source agency and data year are cited inline with every statistic.