Jobs for former teachers are more diverse and rewarding than ever before. If you’re considering leaving the classroom, you’re not alone—and you have plenty of fulfilling career options waiting for you. Many former educators are seeking new paths due to burnout, evolving interests, or the desire for better work-life balance.

Whether you’re drawn to roles in education, corporate training, writing, or even entrepreneurship, your teaching skills are highly valuable in many industries. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best jobs for former teachers and share practical tips on how to transition successfully into your next career chapter.

10 Jobs for Former Teachers

Former teachers possess a wealth of skills that can be effectively applied in various sectors. Let’s explore some of the prominent options:

1. Education Consultant

Think of this as “behind-the-scenes teaching.” Education consultants collaborate with schools, education companies, or nonprofits to improve curriculum, analyze student data, and train educators. You’re no longer in the classroom—you’re shaping how all classrooms work.

  • Average Salary: $80,000/year
  • Why it fits: Your teaching insights help schools solve real problems.
Education consultant

Education consultant

2. Online Teacher or Tutor

Love teaching but not the paperwork? Online tutoring platforms let you teach students around the world on your terms. From helping students one-on-one with math homework to teaching ESL to kids overseas, this role offers flexibility and impact from your living room.

  • Average Salary: $40–70/hour
  • Why it fits: You already have the experience—just move it online.
Online teacher or tutorial

Online teacher or tutorial

3. Instructional Designer

You’ve already built lessons—now get paid to do it professionally. Instructional designers create online courses, corporate training, and university content.

  • Average Salary: $75,000/year
  • Why it fits: Combines creativity and education tech—perfect for tech-savvy teachers.
Instructional designer

Instructional designer

4. Academic Advisor

Swap out lesson plans for life plans. Academic advisors guide students through course selection, degree paths, and career prep. It’s still deeply student-focused, but with less paperwork and more mentoring.

  • Average Salary: $55,000/year
  • Why it fits: You’ve walked students through decisions big and small. Now you help them chart their future.
Academic advisor

Academic advisor

5. School Administrator / Principal

If you still love the school environment but want a leadership role, consider becoming a principal or administrator. You’ll oversee operations, support teachers, and shape school culture on a bigger scale.

  • Average Salary: $90,000/year
  • Why it fits: You’ve been in the trenches—you understand teachers, students, and how to lead with empathy.
School administrator / Principal

School administrator / Principal

6. ESL Teacher or Translator

Have a knack for languages? ESL teaching lets you help non-native speakers thrive academically. Alternatively, translation work offers flexibility and a freelance-friendly path for bilingual educators.

  • Average Salary: $45,000–$65,000/year
  • Why it fits: Perfect if you’ve taught language or have bilingual skills.
ESL teacher or translator

ESL teacher or translator

7. Test Prep Specialist

SAT, ACT, GRE—you know the drill. As a test prep coach, you help students build confidence and master strategy. Some work for companies like Kaplan or The Princeton Review; others go solo with their own tutoring business.

  • Average Salary: $50–100/hour
  • Why it fits: Ideal for teachers with strong subject or test expertise.
Test prep specialist

Test prep specialist

8. Childcare Provider or Educational Nanny

Love working with littles but need more flexibility? As a childcare provider or early childhood program director, you can create a nurturing, play-based environment—sometimes from your own home.

  • Average Salary: $30,000–$50,000/year
  • Why it fits: Great for teachers who love working with young children.
Childcare provider or Educational nanny

Childcare provider or Educational nanny

9. Librarian or Media Specialist

Librarians today are more than bookkeepers—they’re tech trainers, research experts, and media guides. Whether in public libraries or schools, you’ll continue fostering literacy and curiosity.

  • Average Salary: $60,000/year
  • Why it fits: Combines organization, research, and a love for reading.
Librarian or Media specialist

Librarian or Media specialist

10. Textbook or Curriculum Writer

You’ve probably said, “Who wrote this textbook?” Now’s your chance to be that person—but better. Educational publishers need writers with classroom insight to craft clear, standards-aligned content for students and teachers.

  • Average Salary: $40–$100/hour (freelance or contract)
  • Why it fits: Ideal for creative teachers who love writing and curriculum.
Text book or curriculum writer

Text book or curriculum writer

Companies That Hire Former Teachers

Numerous companies actively seek to hire former teachers. Here are some notable examples:

1. K12/Stride Learning

An online learning company offering remote teaching, tutoring, and curriculum design. Stride frequently hires certified teachers, instructional coaches, curriculum developers, and special education specialists—all of which require classroom experience. Their roles often allow remote work, flexible hours, and the chance to reach students nationwide.

K12 Stride Learning

K12 Stride Learning

2. VIPKid / Cambly

These companies connect English-speaking tutors with students around the world, especially in Asia and Latin America. You can teach English from the comfort of your home, using your existing classroom skills. No curriculum creation required—they provide everything. Perfect for part-time work or a flexible side hustle.

VIPKid

VIPKid

3. Scholastic

Scholastic is a major publisher of children’s books, educational materials, and literacy tools used in classrooms worldwide. They often need people who understand education to write, edit, and market curriculum-aligned content. Teachers can contribute to lesson plans, book guides, and family learning kits.

Scholastic

Scholastic

4. Pearson

Pearson is one of the world’s largest education companies, providing textbooks, testing services, and online learning tools. They hire educators for roles such as test scoring, academic consulting, product development, and training delivery. If you’re interested in standardized testing, digital tools, or curriculum quality—this is the place.

Pearson

Pearson

5. Edmentum

Edmentum specializes in digital learning solutions for schools, focusing on intervention, assessment, and personalized instruction. They actively seek educators to develop content, support schools using their platforms, and implement learning solutions.

Edmentum

Edmentum

How to Transition Successfully

Successfully transitioning to a new career requires effectively showcasing your teaching experience. Here are some actionable tips:

How to transition successfully?

How to transition successfully?

1. Reflect on Your Strengths & Interests

Before job hunting, take a moment to pause and reflect. Ask yourself:

  • What parts of teaching did you love most? (lesson planning, helping struggling learners, leading PD sessions?)
  • Do you enjoy working independently or with a team?
  • Are you seeking flexibility, higher pay, or a new challenge?

This self-reflection will help identify roles where your passion aligns with your potential.

2. Explore Career Paths for Former Teachers

Once you understand your preferences, start researching career options. There are dozens of alternative jobs for teachers leaving the profession—you might be surprised how diverse they are!

  • Check platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and job boards for educators.
  • Use search phrases like “remote jobs for teachers,” “curriculum writing jobs,” or “careers for former educators.”
  • Read career stories from other ex-teachers to get inspiration.

3. Update Your Resume and LinkedIn

Tailor your resume to align with the job you want, not just your teaching experience.

  • Use job descriptions as a guide for keywords.
  • Focus on accomplishments, not just duties.
  • Highlight measurable achievements (e.g., “Improved reading scores by 20%”).

Update your LinkedIn profile with a new headline and summary targeting your desired role.

4. Explore Certifications or Short Courses

Depending on your target role, consider adding relevant certifications.

  • Instructional Design: Look for ID or eLearning design courses.
  • Tech/EdTech: Gain familiarity with tools like Canva, LMS platforms, or even basic HTML/CSS.
  • Business Skills: Consider project management or data analysis courses.

Free or affordable platforms: Coursera, edX, Google Career Certificates.

5. Leverage Your Network

Reach out to former colleagues, education groups, and LinkedIn connections.

  • Let people know you’re looking to transition.
  • Join online communities like “Teachers Transitioning Careers” or “Life After Teaching” on Facebook and Reddit.

Personal connections can lead to job leads, referrals, and support.

6. Apply Confidently and Prepare for Interviews

Once you’ve done the prep work, it’s go time. Apply to roles that excite you—even if you don’t meet 100% of the requirements.

In interviews, highlight:

  • Your experience working under pressure
  • Adapting to different learning needs
  • Creating engaging content and managing data
  • Collaborating with staff and leading initiatives

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best job for a former teacher?

Education consulting, instructional design, or online tutoring are great fits. They value your experience and offer flexible, rewarding roles.

2. What is the best paying job for ex-teachers?

School administrators, instructional designers, and curriculum consultants top the list with average salaries over $75,000/year.

3. What other jobs can teachers do from home?

Remote-friendly jobs include:

  • Online tutor or teacher
  • Curriculum writer
  • Educational blogger
  • ESL teacher
  • Customer success or onboarding specialist for EdTech companies

These roles allow you to work from anywhere while still leveraging your education expertise.

4. What companies like to hire former teachers?

EdTech companies like K12, VIPKid, Pearson, and Scholastic often seek former teachers for curriculum and content roles.

Final Thoughts

Leaving the classroom doesn’t mean leaving your skills behind. As we’ve explored, there are many jobs for former teachers that offer growth, flexibility, and fulfillment—whether in education-related roles, corporate settings, creative industries, or social services.

Your ability to communicate, lead, and inspire makes you a strong candidate in many fields. Embrace the possibilities, take the first step, and trust that your teaching background opens more doors than you might imagine.

Ready to start your new journey? Explore additional resources, connect with fellow former teachers, and find the career path that’s right for you.