COLLEGE OF

Education and Human Development

Careers in education

Occupations in the Education and Training career area relate to the activities and resources that provide all types of learning services for people of all ages and in different settings. This career area includes positions at public and private schools (pre-Kindergarten through high school), colleges and universities, community centers, libraries, museums, corporate training services, private homes, and other locations.

Public school districts and private schools employ teachers, school administrators, counselors, social workers, librarians, office employees, nurses, custodians, bus drivers, food services, and other staff to support students’ wellbeing, and create effective learning environments.

Postsecondary educators may work in community or technical colleges, universities, adult learning centers, job training programs or other in-person or virtual learning environments.

Educators working in business settings provide technical training and professional development to improve employees’ performance and job satisfaction. They can also support employees’ career advancement.

Trends in education

Increased demand

Several communities in the United States are experiencing teacher shortages. New teachers have more opportunities to get hired and can explore the varied expectations and responsibilities for positions. 

Specialized roles

Job seekers with certain knowledge or interests can use their skills in opportunities in and out of the classroom as special education teachers, instructional coordinators, curriculum developers, or in roles supporting specific student populations such as English Language Learners, student-athletes, or honors students. 

Continuous learning

Expect to participate in professional development and training to maintain licensure or credentials, update skills and knowledge, and improve work performance. 

Social and political concerns

Curriculum, student support programming, and work conditions of education providers are influenced by, and sometimes legislatively or legally directed by federal, state or local policies and budgets.

Salary and career information

These are samples of some of the positions CEHD graduates enter. Find out more about these and occupations.

Adult Education Instructor

Adult Basic Education Teacher (ABE Teacher) | ESL Instructor | ESOL Teacher (English for Speakers of Other Languages Teacher) | GED Instructor | Teacher

Education requirements: Bachelor’s
Median wage: $58,590

Art Therapist

Art Psychotherapist | Group Therapist | Registered Art Therapist (ATR)

Education requirements: Master’s + license
Median wage: $60,800

Curriculum Coordinator

Curriculum Specialist, Curriculum and Instruction Director | Education Specialist | Instructional Designer | Learning Development Specialist | Program Administrator

Education requirements: Master’s + 5 years work experience
Median wage: $66,490

Child and Family Social Worker

Case Manager | Case Worker | Child Protective Services Social Worker | Family Resource Coordinator | School Social Worker | Youth Services Specialist

Education requirements: Master’s + license
Median wage: $50,820

Childcare Director

Early Head Start Director | Education Coordinator | Preschool Program Director | Site Coordinator

Education requirements: Bachelor’s + some work experience
Median wage: $49,690

Librarian

Instructional Technology Specialist | Media Specialist | Multimedia Services Coordinator | Reference Librarian

Education requirements: Master’s
Median wage: $61,660

Postsecondary Education Administrator

Academic Affairs Vice President | College President | Dean | Provost

Education requirements: Master’s + some work experience
Median wage: $99,940

Professor

Adjunct Professor | Assistant Professor | Associate Professor | College Instructor | Community Instructor | Instructor

Education requirements: PhD
Median wage: $81,650

Psychologists

Applied Behavior Science Specialist | Clinical Counselor | Counseling Psychologist | Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) |  Psychotherapist | Therapist

Education requirements: PhD + certification
Median wage: $90,130

Special Education Teacher

Emotional Disabilities Teacher | Hearing Impaired Itinerant Teacher | Learning Support Teacher | Resource Program Teacher 

Education requirements: Bachelor’s + license
Median wage: $62,390

Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech Clinician | Speech Therapist | Speech and Language Specialist | Speech and Language Teacher |  Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)

Education requirements: Master’s
Median wage: $84,140

Teacher Assistant

Educational Assistant | Paraeducator | Paraprofessional | Teacher Aide

Education requirements: Bachelor’s
Median wage: $30,920

Training And Development Specialist

Corporate Trainer | Job Training Specialist | Learning and Development Consultant | Trainer

Education requirements: Bachelor’s + some work experience
Median wage: $63,080

Tutor

Academic Coach | Academic Guidance Specialist | Educational Advisor | Private Tutor | Professional Tutor

Education requirements: Bachelor’s
Median wage: $36,680

Data notes

  • Minnesota data shown, unless otherwise noted.
  • Education Requirements = Degree, credential or training needed to enter the occupation. National standard used; Minnesota employers might have different requirements.
  • Work Settings = Environment where work is performed. Represents types of employers most often employ this occupation.
  • 25% Wage = Representative of an entry-level wage for workers with less than four years’ experience in the occupation. The point at which 75% of workers earn more and 25% of workers earn less. 
  • Median Wage = Represents typical salary for workers with at least five years of experience in this occupation. Half of all workers in this occupation earn less, the other half earn more. 
  • Data Sources (retrieved April 2024): CareerOneStop | O*NET | Occupational Outlook Handbook | DEED Career & Education Explorer 

Explore academic programs

Use our program selector tool to identify a degree program that can lead you to a career in your desired field.

Career trajectories of CEHD alumni

DEED’s Graduate Employment Outcomes in Minnesota tool shows data on University of Minnesota alumni who are working in Minnesota. Academic program names are a compost of related programs in Minnesota colleges; the wage data is specific to UMN graduates. 

    Undergraduate programs

    Hourly Median Wage Trend for 2016 Graduates (updated through 2022) of Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus

    Education

    • Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $23.91
    • Wages in 2020: $32.99

    Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

    • Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $16.91
    • Wages in 2020: $34.61

    Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

    • Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $25.64
    • Wages in 2020: $32.33

    Graduate programs

    Hourly Median Wage Trend for 2016 Graduates (updated through 2022) of Graduate degrees/certificates from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus

    Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology

    • Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $26.81
    • Wages in 2020: $39.62

    Education

    • Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $32.61
    • Wages in 2020: $38.22

    Educational Administration and Supervision

    • Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $50.57
    • Wages in 2020: $59.70

    Special Education and Teaching

    • Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $36.50
    • Wages in 2020: $41.95

    Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods

    • Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $34.66
    • Wages in 2020: $39.56

    Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas

    • Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $32.57
    • Wages in 2020: $38.99

    Alternative careers for educators

    Students completing the initial licensure program through the College of Education and Human Development acquire many transferable skills which can be used in a variety of settings. In addition to the numerous non-teaching positions in the Education and Training career area, some alumni have sought opportunities in other career areas.

    Employers of recent graduates