Best Non-Teaching Jobs for Former Teachers (And How to Apply)

You've decided to leave teaching. Now what?

The good news: teachers have more career options than almost any other profession. The skills you've developed, communication, project management, training, data analysis, are universal. Nearly every industry needs people who can do what you do.

The challenge is knowing which paths exist and how to position yourself for them.

This guide covers 20+ realistic careers for former teachers, organized by skill fit, salary potential, and transition difficulty. Each includes what the job actually involves, what qualifications you need, and how to make your teaching experience relevant.

How to Use This Guide

Each role is rated on three factors:

• Skill Fit: How directly your teaching skills transfer (High/Medium/Low)
• Transition Difficulty: How much additional training or experience you need (Easy/Moderate/Hard)
• Salary Range: Typical compensation (varies by location and experience)

Focus on roles with High skill fit and Easy transition difficulty if you want to move quickly. Consider roles with higher transition difficulty if you're willing to invest in certifications or portfolio building.

Training and Development Roles

These roles use your core teaching competency: helping people learn.

1. Corporate Trainer

What you'll do: Design and deliver training programs for employees on topics ranging from software systems to leadership skills.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Easy Salary Range: $55,000 - $85,000

Why teachers succeed: You've been training people your entire career. Corporate training is teaching adults instead of children.

How to apply:

• Reframe your resume around "training delivery" and "program development"
• Emphasize any experience with adult learners (parents, staff professional development)
• Highlight technology skills used in classroom instruction

Resume bullet example:

"Designed and delivered training programs for 150+ participants annually, achieving 90% competency on post-training assessments"

2. Instructional Designer

What you'll do: Create learning experiences for online courses, employee training, and educational products, often without delivering the training yourself.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Salary Range: $65,000 - $100,000

Why teachers succeed: Curriculum design is instructional design. You understand learning objectives, scaffolding, and assessment.

How to apply:

• Learn an e-learning tool (Articulate Storyline, Adobe Captivate)
• Create sample modules demonstrating your design process
• Get familiar with ADDIE or SAM instructional design models

Resume bullet example:

"Developed comprehensive curriculum covering 180 hours of instruction, incorporating multimedia elements and formative assessments"

3. Learning and Development Manager

What you'll do: Oversee a company's employee training strategy, manage L&D team members, and align learning initiatives with business goals.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Moderate (requires corporate L&D experience first) Salary Range: $80,000 - $130,000

Why teachers succeed: Department chairs and instructional coaches already do this work in schools. It's leadership plus training expertise.

How to apply:

• Start as a corporate trainer or instructional designer
• Emphasize any leadership experience (department chair, team lead, committee chair)
• Highlight budget management and strategic planning experience

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Communication and Content Roles

These roles leverage your ability to explain complex concepts clearly.

4. Technical Writer

What you'll do: Write documentation that helps users understand products, software, and processes, such as user guides, help articles, and API documentation.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Salary Range: $70,000 - $110,000

Why teachers succeed: English and writing teachers especially excel here, but any teacher who creates clear instructions has the foundation.

How to apply:

• Create writing samples (document a process, write a how-to guide)
• Learn basic markdown and technical documentation tools
• Familiarize yourself with developer concepts (you don't need to code)

Resume bullet example:

"Created comprehensive instructional materials explaining complex concepts for audiences with varying knowledge levels"

5. Content Strategist / Content Designer

What you'll do: Plan, create, and manage content that helps users accomplish goals within products or on websites.

Skill Fit: Medium-High Transition Difficulty: Moderate Salary Range: $75,000 - $120,000

Why teachers succeed: You understand how to organize information, sequence learning, and write for specific audiences.

How to apply:

• Build a portfolio with content samples
• Learn UX writing principles
• Understand content management systems

6. Copywriter / Marketing Writer

What you'll do: Write persuasive content for marketing campaigns, websites, emails, and advertisements.

Skill Fit: Medium Transition Difficulty: Moderate Salary Range: $50,000 - $90,000

Why teachers succeed: English teachers and those comfortable with writing can transition well, though marketing writing differs from instructional writing.

How to apply:

• Take a copywriting course or certification
• Build a portfolio with spec ads and marketing samples
• Learn marketing fundamentals (target audiences, conversion, funnels)

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Research and Analysis Roles

These roles leverage your data analysis and observation skills.

7. UX Researcher

What you'll do: Conduct research to understand how users interact with products, using interviews, surveys, and usability testing.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Moderate Salary Range: $80,000 - $130,000

Why teachers succeed: You've observed thousands of "users" (students) learning. You understand how to identify barriers and improve experiences.

How to apply:

• Complete a UX research course or certification
• Conduct practice research studies
• Build a portfolio with 2-3 case studies

Resume bullet example:

"Conducted user research through observation, surveys, and interviews with 3,000+ participants to identify learning barriers and optimize experience design"

8. Market Research Analyst

What you'll do: Gather and analyze data about consumers and market conditions to help businesses make decisions.

Skill Fit: Medium Transition Difficulty: Moderate Salary Range: $55,000 - $85,000

Why teachers succeed: Data analysis skills from tracking student performance transfer well. Survey design and interpretation are familiar.

How to apply:

• Strengthen Excel and data visualization skills
• Learn survey design best practices
• Understand basic statistics and research methodology

9. Data Analyst

What you'll do: Analyze data to find patterns and insights that inform business decisions.

Skill Fit: Medium Transition Difficulty: Moderate to Hard Salary Range: $60,000 - $95,000

Why teachers succeed: Math teachers especially have strong foundations. Any teacher who analyzed assessment data has relevant experience.

How to apply:

• Learn SQL and Excel at intermediate level minimum
• Complete Google Data Analytics certificate or similar
• Build projects analyzing real datasets

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Client-Facing Roles

These roles leverage your relationship-building and communication skills.

10. Customer Success Manager

What you'll do: Help customers achieve their goals with a product, ensuring satisfaction and reducing churn.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Easy Salary Range: $60,000 - $100,000

Why teachers succeed: You've spent years helping people succeed. Parent relationships mirror client relationships.

How to apply:

• Emphasize relationship management and stakeholder communication
• Highlight experience with "at-risk" intervention (churn prevention)
• Show data-driven approach to improving outcomes

Resume bullet example:

"Managed portfolio of 150 stakeholders, achieving 95% satisfaction rating through proactive communication and personalized support strategies"

11. Account Manager

What you'll do: Maintain relationships with existing clients, identify growth opportunities, and ensure contract renewals.

Skill Fit: Medium-High Transition Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Salary Range: $55,000 - $90,000 (plus commission potential)

Why teachers succeed: Relationship management is central. You understand client needs (parent needs) and managing expectations.

How to apply:

• Highlight communication and relationship-building experience
• Emphasize any experience coordinating with external stakeholders
• Show comfort with data and goal tracking

12. Sales Representative (Especially Edtech)

What you'll do: Sell products or services to businesses or consumers. Edtech sales specifically targets schools and educators.

Skill Fit: Medium Transition Difficulty: Moderate Salary Range: $50,000 - $120,000+ (with commission)

Why teachers succeed: In edtech specifically, your insider knowledge is invaluable. Generally, presentation skills and relationship building transfer well.

How to apply:

• Consider edtech companies where your teaching experience is a major asset
• Highlight persuasion and presentation experience
• Be prepared for commission-based compensation structures

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Management and Operations Roles

These roles leverage your organizational and leadership skills.

13. Project Manager

What you'll do: Plan, execute, and close projects, managing timelines, budgets, and cross-functional teams.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Moderate Salary Range: $70,000 - $110,000

Why teachers succeed: You've managed multiple concurrent "projects" (classes), coordinated stakeholders, and delivered on deadlines.

How to apply:

• Get PMP certification or complete Google Project Management certificate
• Reframe teaching experience using project management language
• Emphasize any committee or initiative leadership

Resume bullet example:

"Managed 5+ concurrent projects with 150 stakeholders each, delivering all projects on schedule within resource constraints"

14. Program Coordinator / Manager

What you'll do: Oversee ongoing programs, manage logistics, coordinate staff, and track outcomes.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Easy Salary Range: $50,000 - $80,000

Why teachers succeed: You've coordinated complex programs with multiple stakeholders. The work is similar, just different context.

How to apply:

• Highlight program development and management experience
• Emphasize coordination and logistics skills
• Show experience tracking outcomes and reporting to leadership

15. Operations Coordinator

What you'll do: Ensure smooth day-to-day operations of a department or organization.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Easy Salary Range: $45,000 - $70,000

Why teachers succeed: Running a classroom requires serious operational skills, including scheduling, resource management, and process optimization.

How to apply:

• Emphasize organizational and logistics experience
• Highlight process improvement initiatives
• Show comfort with systems and documentation

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HR and Talent Roles

These roles leverage your people development skills.

16. HR Generalist

What you'll do: Handle a variety of HR functions including recruiting, onboarding, employee relations, and compliance.

Skill Fit: Medium-High Transition Difficulty: Moderate Salary Range: $50,000 - $75,000

Why teachers succeed: Employee development, conflict resolution, and documentation are familiar. Training and onboarding are natural fits.

How to apply:

• Consider HR certification (SHRM-CP, PHR)
• Highlight employee development and conflict resolution experience
• Emphasize compliance and documentation skills

17. Recruiter / Talent Acquisition Specialist

What you'll do: Source, interview, and hire candidates for open positions.

Skill Fit: Medium Transition Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Salary Range: $50,000 - $85,000 (plus bonuses)

Why teachers succeed: Interviewing is like parent conferences. You can assess people quickly and communicate clearly.

How to apply:

• Highlight interviewing and assessment experience
• Emphasize communication and relationship skills
• Consider starting with staffing agencies for quick entry

18. Training Coordinator

What you'll do: Organize and administer training programs, manage logistics, and track completion.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Easy Salary Range: $45,000 - $65,000

Why teachers succeed: Professional development coordination in schools is identical work.

How to apply:

• Highlight any PD coordination or planning experience
• Emphasize organizational and logistics skills
• Show experience tracking participation and outcomes

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Education-Adjacent Roles

These roles keep you connected to education without classroom teaching.

19. Curriculum Developer (Publishers/Edtech)

What you'll do: Create educational materials, textbooks, and digital learning content for publishers or education companies.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Easy Salary Range: $60,000 - $90,000

Why teachers succeed: You know what works in classrooms. Publishers need people with real teaching experience.

How to apply:

• Apply to textbook publishers and edtech companies
• Emphasize curriculum development experience
• Include any published materials or widely-used resources you've created

20. Education Consultant

What you'll do: Advise schools, districts, or education companies on curriculum, instruction, or technology implementation.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Moderate (requires specialization) Salary Range: $70,000 - $120,000

Why teachers succeed: Your classroom expertise is exactly what schools and districts need. Deep experience in a specific area is key.

How to apply:

• Develop expertise in a specific area (curriculum, technology, special education)
• Build reputation through speaking or writing
• Network with administrators and district leaders

21. Academic Advisor

What you'll do: Guide students through academic planning, course selection, and career preparation, typically at colleges and universities.

Skill Fit: High Transition Difficulty: Easy Salary Range: $45,000 - $65,000

Why teachers succeed: Student guidance is familiar. The transition is smooth, especially if you enjoyed the counseling aspects of teaching.

How to apply:

• Highlight student advising and mentoring experience
• Emphasize guidance and support roles
• Consider starting at community colleges with lower barriers to entry

22. Educational Sales Representative

What you'll do: Sell textbooks, curriculum, technology, or other products to schools and districts.

Skill Fit: Medium-High Transition Difficulty: Easy Salary Range: $55,000 - $100,000+ (with commission)

Why teachers succeed: You understand how schools make purchasing decisions. Your network and credibility with educators are assets.

How to apply:

• Leverage your teaching network
• Apply to publishers and edtech companies
• Highlight your understanding of school environments and decision-makers

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Quick Reference: Roles by Transition Speed

Fastest Transitions (3-6 months)

1. Corporate Trainer
2. Customer Success Manager
3. Program Coordinator
4. Training Coordinator
5. Curriculum Developer (Edtech)
6. Educational Sales

Moderate Transitions (6-12 months)

1. Instructional Designer
2. Technical Writer
3. Project Manager
4. HR Generalist
5. UX Researcher
6. Account Manager

Longer Transitions (12+ months)

1. Data Analyst
2. Product Manager
3. L&D Manager
4. Education Consultant

How to Choose Your Path

Consider these factors:

1. What energized you in teaching?

• Working with people one-on-one: Customer Success, Account Management, Academic Advising
• Creating materials and content: Instructional Design, Technical Writing, Curriculum Development
• Analyzing data and improving systems: Data Analysis, UX Research, Operations
• Leading and managing: Project Management, L&D Manager, Program Manager
• Presenting and training: Corporate Trainer, Sales

2. What's your risk tolerance?

• Low risk: Stay education-adjacent (Curriculum Developer, Academic Advisor)
• Medium risk: Apply existing skills in new contexts (Corporate Trainer, Customer Success)
• Higher risk: Invest in new skills for higher-paying roles (UX, Product Management, Data Analysis)

3. What's your timeline?

• Need to leave immediately: Focus on easy transitions (Corporate Trainer, Customer Success, Program Coordinator)
• Can plan for 6-12 months: Invest in certifications (Project Management, Instructional Design)
• Long-term planning: Build portfolio and skills for competitive roles (UX, Product Management)

Next Steps by Chosen Path

If you're targeting L&D/Training:

1. Read our Teacher to Corporate Resume guide
2. Reframe your resume around training and development
3. Apply to L&D roles at large companies and staffing agencies

If you're targeting Tech:

1. Read our Teacher to Tech Resume guide
2. Complete relevant certification (UX, PM, or Technical Writing)
3. Build portfolio projects demonstrating capability

If you're targeting Client-Facing Roles:

1. Emphasize relationship management and communication in your resume
2. Consider edtech or education-adjacent companies first
3. Network with other teachers who've made similar transitions

If you're unsure:

1. Read our Career Change Resume Guide
2. Take career assessments to identify your strengths
3. Conduct informational interviews with people in roles that interest you

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the highest-paying career for former teachers?

Product management, UX design, and L&D management roles at large companies can pay $100,000-$150,000+. Sales roles with commission can also reach high compensation. However, these often require additional training or experience beyond teaching.

Can I get a corporate job with only teaching experience?

Yes, especially for roles like corporate trainer, customer success, program coordinator, and training coordinator. These positions directly value teaching skills without requiring additional certifications.

Should I stay in education-related fields?

It depends on your goals. Education-adjacent roles (curriculum development, edtech, consulting) provide the easiest transitions. Completely different fields (tech, finance) may offer higher long-term potential but require more transition work.

How long does it take to transition out of teaching?

For easy transitions with direct skill transfer, 3-6 months is realistic. Roles requiring certifications or portfolios typically take 6-12 months. Career changes requiring significant skill development can take 12+ months.

Will I take a pay cut?

Not necessarily. Many entry-level corporate roles pay similarly to mid-career teaching positions, with better growth potential. Some roles (sales, tech) can pay significantly more within a few years.

Key Takeaways

1. Teachers have more options than they realize. Your skills transfer to dozens of careers across multiple industries.

2. Training and development is the most direct path. Corporate training uses identical skills to classroom teaching.

3. Client-facing roles value relationship skills. Customer success and account management leverage your communication expertise.

4. Tech roles require some investment but pay well. UX, product management, and technical writing require portfolio building or certifications.

5. Education-adjacent roles offer the easiest transitions. Curriculum development, edtech, and consulting let you leverage your insider knowledge.

You're not starting over. You're redirecting skills you've spent years developing. The right role is out there; now you know where to look.

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