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Non-Traditional Careers You Can Get with a M.Ed.

It wouldn't be accurate to call these careers "non-teaching", as several involve training at an organizational level. These jobs are outside of the classroom, however, and all require the knowledge and skills you can gain from a master's in education degree program. Salary ranges included for each role are based on data from , while projected job growth data comes from the (BLS).

Career Paths, Median Salaries, and Projected Job Growth

A Closer Look at These Roles

1. Training and Development Manager

Companies are investing billions in training programs, and they need professionals who understand how adults learn most effectively. As a training and development manager, you'll design onboarding experiences, create leadership development programs, and measure training effectiveness using the same assessment principles you'd apply in any educational setting.

Major corporations like Amazon, Microsoft, and Johnson & Johnson actively recruit education professionals for these positions because effective employee training requires understanding how people learn. Salaries for roles in this arena range between $86,000 and $144,000.

2. User Experience (UX) Designer

The EdTech industry needs professionals who understand both technology and learning. As a UX designer specializing in educational products, you'll combine your master's degree in education knowledge with design thinking to create digital learning experiences.

Your education background gives you a crucial advantage: you understand learning theory and how to structure information for maximum retention. While you may need additional training to learn about user interface design and prototyping tools, those skills paired with your education expertise can make you highly valuable in this space. 

In this role, you might work for companies like Coursera, Duolingo, or Khan Academy. Salaries typically range from $82,000 to $149,000, with senior positions and specialized skills commanding higher compensation.

3. Organizational Development Consultant

Every organization faces the challenge of helping employees adapt to change and work more effectively together. Organizational development consultants help companies navigate these challenges using principles that will feel familiar to anyone with a master's degree in education.

As an OD consultant, you'll assess organizational learning needs and design change management programs. You might help a tech startup scale its culture as it grows or assist a healthcare system in implementing new protocols.The work draws heavily on educational psychology and program evaluation, which are core components of master's in education programs. 

Many OD consultants work independently or for consulting firms and make anywhere from $118,000 to $196,000. In addition to excellent earning potential, this job offers the flexibility to choose projects that align with your interests and values.

4. Instructional Designer

The shift toward digital learning has sparked demand for instructional designers who create effective online learning experiences. These professionals build everything from employee training modules to customer education programs.

A master's degree in education provides the perfect foundation because you'll understand learning objectives, assessment strategies, and content sequencing. You'll work with subject matter experts to transform knowledge into interactive online courses using tools like Articulate or Adobe Captivate.

Many instructional designers work remotely or as freelancers, with salaries ranging from $74,000 to $113,000 for full-time positions, while experienced consultants can earn $75-150 per hour.

5. Government Training Program Manager

Federal, state, and local government agencies need professionals who can develop and oversee training programs for their employees. From training new park rangers to educating social workers about policy changes, government organizations rely on education professionals to ensure their workforce has the skills needed to serve the public effectively.

These positions offer the stability and benefits associated with government work, along with the satisfaction of public service. Your master's degree in education qualifies you for mid-to-senior level positions (typically GS-12 to GS-14 in federal agencies), with salaries ranging from $78,000 to $116,000 depending on location and experience.

Government training roles also frequently offer opportunities for specialization in areas like emergency management or environmental protection, allowing you to combine your education expertise with subject areas you're passionate about.

6. Product Education Manager

EdTech companies need product managers who understand both technology and education to guide development of learning platforms and training software. This role combines business strategy, technical coordination, and educational expertise.

As a product manager with a master's degree in education, you'll work with teams to define product features and ensure products help people learn effectively. Product management roles in EdTech typically pay $88,000 to $155,000, with excellent advancement opportunities to executive positions.

7. Director of Learning and Development

A Director of Learning and Development oversees employee education and training at the organizational level. In this role, you’ll identify skill gaps, design leadership and employee development programs, and ensure learning initiatives support company goals.

A master’s in education provides the foundation for this work by giving you expertise in adult learning and instructional design, along with the credibility to partner with executives and HR leaders.

Most positions require 5–10 years of experience, and salaries typically range from $127,000 to $210,000. A major benefit of this role is that it offers the chance to shape workforce growth and create lasting impact across an entire organization.

8. Nonprofit Program Evaluation Specialist

Organizations invest billions of dollars in educational and social programs each year. They need professionals who can evaluate programs and help improve their effectiveness. This is where program evaluation specialists with master's degrees in education become invaluable.

In this role, you'll design research studies and provide recommendations for program improvement. You might evaluate a literacy program for adults or study the impact of a community health education campaign. Your education background provides the research methodology and assessment skills needed for this analytical work.

Program evaluation specialists work for consulting firms, government agencies, and large nonprofits. The work is intellectually stimulating and offers the satisfaction of helping improve programs that serve vulnerable populations. Salaries typically range from $71,000 to $128,000, with senior specialists and independent consultants earning the most.

What does a Master's Degree in Education involve?

Given these diverse career possibilities, you might wonder what a master's degree in education involves and how it prepares you for such varied roles. 

The curriculum often includes:

• Advanced learning theory: Exploring how people learn and what motivates them.

• Research methodology: Understanding how to design studies and analyze data.

• Curriculum development: Creating effective lessons and learning materials.

• Assessment and evaluation: Measuring progress and improving instruction.

• Educational psychology: Applying insights about behavior and cognition to learning.

• Leadership principles: Building the skills to guide teams and drive change.

The best master's in education programs also build soft, foundational skills that will help you work in a range of settings with diverse populations. Through your education, you'll learn to manage complex responsibilities, communicate clearly, and adapt on the fly. 

Is a Master's in Education Worth It for Alternative Careers?

You may start a master’s in education with the classroom in mind, but the transferable skills make it easier to pivot into new roles without losing momentum.

One advantage of alternative career paths for education graduates is higher earning potential. Careers in training, consulting, EdTech, and organizational development often pay more than K–12 teaching and provide quicker paths to six-figure salaries. These fields also offer opportunities to move into leadership or build independent practices.

The job outlook for alternative career paths is strong, with openings across industries and increasing options for remote or hybrid work. That variety makes it easier to transition between fields like tech, healthcare, and business.

These alternative careers also bring flexibility and satisfaction. Instead of being tied to one classroom, you can design a career that fits your lifestyle while making an impact on a larger scale.

How to Choose the Right Program

If you're considering these alternative career paths, look for programs that align with your goals and provide relevant preparation.

For comprehensive information about program options, explore our rankings of the most affordable online master's degrees in education. 

Opening New Doors With Your Degree

The careers we've explored represent just a fraction of the opportunities available to professionals with a master's degree in education. Roles outside of the classroom offer the chance to impact learning at scale, earn competitive salaries, and build flexible careers that adapt to changing economic conditions.

When you recognize the value of your education knowledge, doors will open. As you consider next steps, think about the kind of impact you want to make and the settings where you’d like to work. Exploring programs with flexible formats and diverse career outcomes can help you build a path that fits your goals.

Frequently Asked Questions About M.Ed. Degrees