Becoming an Educator via Online Education?

At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths. Ashford University, one of the highest ranking online schools, is a US school (accredited) offering education courses to train individuals to become top-notch teachers, educators, adult educators, professors, higher education specialists, college professors, education assessors, assessors, childhood educators, etc. Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 28,710 people employed as education administrators alone in America, and their average annual salary is $80,140. Education teachers make on average $62,160 per year and there are about 56,880 of them employed today. Colleges and universities like Ashford University that provide online education are successfully launching workers into this field.

Typical Work Locations for an Educator
  • Universities
  • Community Colleges
  • Elementary Schools
  • Private schools
  • Academic Institutions
  • Distance Learning Centers
  • Day Care Center
  • Learning Center
  • Health Care Facilities
  • Private Learning Institution
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as an Educator
  • Receive private scholarships and federal funding for teaching programs
  • Funding for teaching supplies
  • Health benefits
  • No teaching on the weekends holidays and the summer
  • Knowing that you're making a difference
  • You get to be with people who are usually fun to be around
  • Get to make lots of decisions all the time
  • You get to meet new young people each year and spend most of your time with them
  • You are in a job where you are using your brain all the time
  • Working with all kinds of different students
Potential Drawbacks
  • Summers are not enough recovery time
  • In the primary grades, deal with gross bathroom related issues
  • Nursing psychology and social work is also included in the job
  • Blame usually falls on educators
  • Serious issues can arise because it deals so closely with children
  • Every hour in the classroom is at least an hour of work required outside the normal school day
  • There is zero flexibility when you're a classroom teacher
  • Teaching is physically and emotionally taxing
  • Susceptibility to airborne illnesses
  • Low pay and appreciation
Related Professions to Consider
  • Dance Teacher
  • Early Childhood Teacher
  • Education Adviser
  • Education Officer
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Primary School Teacher
  • Review Officer
  • Tertiary Lecturer
  • Private Tutor
  • Teacher Aide
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be an Educator
  • What are your thoughts on team-teaching?
  • What are your greatest strengths?
  • What is your biggest weakness?
  • What is your approach to classroom management?
  • What is your favorite subject to teach Why?
  • What do you like most about teaching as a career?
  • What is your philosophy of education?
  • What do you think is the greatest challenge facing students today?
  • What is the most difficult aspect of teaching today?
  • What are the qualities of an excellent teacher?
Common Collaborating Professions
  • Psychologist
  • School Principal
  • Educational Assistant
  • Tutor
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Social Worker
  • Administrator
  • Police Officer
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Public Health Nurse
Educator Training books Educator (More) Popular books Potential Companies to Work For Common College Majors
  • Education
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Social Sciences Education
  • Foreign Language Education
  • Mathematics Education
  • Science Education
  • English
  • Phsycology
  • Art Education
  • Middle School Education

Educator Salary Information

Category: Education administrators, all other

Total # Employed in the US 28,710
Average Hourly Wage: $38.53/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$19.69 $26.23 $35.54 $47.57 $60.83
Average Yearly Salary $80,140
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$40,950 $54,560 $73,910 $98,940 $126,530
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.7% 5.5% 8.9% 4.9% 22.2% 44.8% 12.9%
Education administrators, all other — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Florida $47.52/hr $98,840
Indiana $47.25/hr $98,280
Oklahoma $45.58/hr $94,800
Delaware $44.58/hr $92,730
Mississippi $44.17/hr $91,870
South Carolina $43.57/hr $90,630
Hawaii $42.51/hr $88,410
Alabama $41.82/hr $86,980
Missouri $40.67/hr $84,580
Colorado $40.64/hr $84,530
Iowa $40.33/hr $83,890
Nevada $39.42/hr $82,000
Washington $39.15/hr $81,430
Kansas $39.09/hr $81,310
Connecticut $38.82/hr $80,750
Kentucky $38.24/hr $79,540
Maine $37.93/hr $78,900
Idaho $37.56/hr $78,120
Massachusetts $37.3/hr $77,590
Arkansas $37.2/hr $77,370
Louisiana $37.01/hr $76,980
North Dakota $36.78/hr $76,490
Guam $36.7/hr $76,330
Oregon $36.06/hr $75,000
Nebraska $35.99/hr $74,850
South Dakota $35.91/hr $74,690
Montana $35.55/hr $73,950
Wyoming $35.26/hr $73,340
Virginia $35.15/hr $73,120
New Mexico $34.28/hr $71,300
Alaska $32.64/hr $67,880
North Carolina $32.41/hr $67,410
Utah $32.1/hr $66,770
Puerto Rico $31.82/hr $66,180
Tennessee $31.55/hr $65,620
Ohio $31.43/hr $65,380
New Hampshire $31.11/hr $64,720
Maryland $30.28/hr $62,980
Wisconsin $30.17/hr $62,750
California $30.06/hr $62,520
Pennsylvania $27.97/hr $58,180
District of Columbia $27.62/hr $57,450
New York $27.44/hr $57,080
Michigan $25.61/hr $53,260
New Jersey $25.46/hr $52,960


Category: Education teachers, postsecondary

Total # Employed in the US 56,880
Average Yearly Salary $62,160
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$30,840 $42,640 $58,300 $76,380 $99,470
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 0.7% 2.7% 2.3% 15.3% 34.6% 44.2%
Education teachers, postsecondary — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $55,440
Alaska - $80,430
Arkansas - $43,420
California - $51,500
Colorado - $80,490
Connecticut - $58,860
Delaware - $67,490
District of Columbia - $63,590
Florida - $61,470
Hawaii - $66,760
Idaho - $57,580
Indiana - $61,320
Kansas - $48,660
Kentucky - $57,500
Louisiana - $69,230
Maine - $55,790
Maryland - $62,480
Massachusetts - $58,100
Michigan - $59,480
Mississippi - $64,680
Missouri - $73,240
Montana - $58,540
Nebraska - $68,600
Nevada - $54,420
New Hampshire - $55,870
New Mexico - $56,400
North Carolina - $63,680
North Dakota - $61,990
Ohio - $51,280
Oklahoma - $73,620
Oregon - $60,710
Pennsylvania - $66,200
South Carolina - $58,000
Tennessee - $63,740
Utah - $67,170
Virginia - $73,010
Washington - $58,690
West Virginia - $61,130
Wisconsin - $54,680
Wyoming - $63,670
Guam - $62,100
Puerto Rico - $63,650


Category: Postsecondary teachers, all other

Total # Employed in the US 205,760
Average Yearly Salary $74,330
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$32,180 $45,770 $64,680 $90,300 $128,330
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.2% 0.7% 2.7% 2.3% 15.3% 34.6% 44.2%
Postsecondary teachers, all other — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $42,100
Arkansas - $51,100
California - $64,450
Colorado - $84,930
Connecticut - $54,630
Delaware - $63,600
Florida - $84,270
Hawaii - $65,830
Idaho - $46,320
Iowa - $73,890
Kansas - $80,470
Kentucky - $61,290
Louisiana - $45,540
Maine - $52,900
Maryland - $55,830
Massachusetts - $58,960
Michigan - $50,670
Mississippi - $70,060
Missouri - $115,130
Montana - $51,570
Nebraska - $74,930
New Hampshire - $68,120
New Jersey - $43,140
New Mexico - $47,390
New York - $52,840
North Carolina - $87,820
North Dakota - $76,850
Ohio - $62,340
Oklahoma - $87,780
Oregon - $71,050
Pennsylvania - $59,080
South Carolina - $66,400
South Dakota - $43,100
Tennessee - $64,400
Utah - $73,580
Virginia - $61,820
Washington - $43,360
Wisconsin - $40,280
Wyoming - $69,470
Guam - $61,890
Puerto Rico - $69,000


Category: Preschool teachers, except special education

Total # Employed in the US 389,660
Average Hourly Wage: $13.2/hr
Hourly Wage Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$7.9 $9.27 $11.8 $15.5 $20.95
Average Yearly Salary $27,450
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$16,420 $19,280 $24,540 $32,240 $43,570
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
2.0% 15.9% 23.7% 14.0% 31.8% 11.9% 0.8%
Preschool teachers, except special education — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
North Dakota $16.24/hr $33,770
Oklahoma $15.83/hr $32,920
Florida $15.71/hr $32,680
Missouri $15.44/hr $32,120
Virginia $15.21/hr $31,630
Montana $15.08/hr $31,370
Nebraska $14.93/hr $31,050
Indiana $14.84/hr $30,860
Colorado $14.66/hr $30,500
Delaware $14.45/hr $30,050
Connecticut $14.35/hr $29,850
Alaska $14.08/hr $29,300
Mississippi $13.94/hr $29,000
Maine $13.76/hr $28,610
Kansas $13.62/hr $28,320
Puerto Rico $13.53/hr $28,140
Michigan $13.17/hr $27,390
North Carolina $13/hr $27,040
Maryland $12.98/hr $27,000
Wyoming $12.83/hr $26,690
South Dakota $12.77/hr $26,560
Louisiana $12.72/hr $26,460
West Virginia $12.68/hr $26,380
Pennsylvania $12.36/hr $25,720
Ohio $12.35/hr $25,690
Washington $12.34/hr $25,660
Utah $12.31/hr $25,610
California $12.3/hr $25,570
Arkansas $12.23/hr $25,440
Hawaii $12.1/hr $25,170
Alabama $12.04/hr $25,050
Tennessee $11.88/hr $24,710
Idaho $11.75/hr $24,440
Wisconsin $11.68/hr $24,290
Kentucky $11.61/hr $24,140
New Hampshire $11.55/hr $24,030
District of Columbia $11.52/hr $23,960
New York $11.46/hr $23,840
New Mexico $11.21/hr $23,330
Guam $11.05/hr $22,980
New Jersey $11.04/hr $22,970
Nevada $10.85/hr $22,570
Oregon $10.83/hr $22,530
South Carolina $10.64/hr $22,130
Massachusetts $10.43/hr $21,690
Iowa $9.56/hr $19,880


Category: Kindergarten teachers, except special education

Total # Employed in the US 181,810
Average Yearly Salary $50,380
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$31,320 $38,490 $47,830 $60,510 $75,210
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
2.0% 15.9% 23.7% 14.0% 31.8% 11.9% 0.8%
Kindergarten teachers, except special education — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $45,570
Alaska - $63,970
Arkansas - $39,480
California - $42,760
Colorado - $56,660
Connecticut - $46,560
Delaware - $61,870
District of Columbia - $50,670
Florida - $38,930
Hawaii - $48,690
Idaho - $47,150
Indiana - $43,730
Iowa - $34,940
Kansas - $45,380
Kentucky - $46,570
Louisiana - $41,920
Maine - $44,360
Maryland - $47,860
Massachusetts - $44,500
Michigan - $44,680
Mississippi - $47,190
Missouri - $56,640
Montana - $50,500
Nebraska - $50,580
Nevada - $40,640
New Hampshire - $42,510
New Jersey - $34,800
New Mexico - $43,200
New York - $41,570
North Carolina - $45,060
North Dakota - $59,210
Ohio - $52,160
Oklahoma - $66,450
Oregon - $40,860
Pennsylvania - $38,890
South Carolina - $47,530
South Dakota - $39,310
Tennessee - $45,220
Utah - $51,220
Virginia - $67,720
Washington - $45,580
West Virginia - $36,190
Wisconsin - $44,980
Wyoming - $47,460
Guam - $38,550
Puerto Rico - $48,140


Category: Elementary school teachers, except special education

Total # Employed in the US 1,544,300
Average Yearly Salary $53,150
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$33,830 $40,850 $50,510 $63,600 $78,720
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 1.0% 2.9% 2.1% 46.5% 44.4% 2.9%
Elementary school teachers, except special education — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $46,810
Alaska - $68,070
Arkansas - $42,450
California - $42,570
Colorado - $61,230
Connecticut - $48,010
Delaware - $66,660
District of Columbia - $50,480
Florida - $64,200
Hawaii - $49,400
Idaho - $52,390
Indiana - $48,730
Iowa - $48,340
Kansas - $58,510
Kentucky - $47,540
Louisiana - $41,720
Maine - $41,490
Maryland - $47,350
Massachusetts - $44,620
Michigan - $45,270
Mississippi - $61,000
Missouri - $60,810
Montana - $54,290
Nebraska - $51,290
Nevada - $41,770
New Hampshire - $43,200
New Jersey - $39,540
New Mexico - $43,850
New York - $47,110
North Carolina - $49,280
North Dakota - $60,860
Ohio - $50,930
Oklahoma - $65,820
Oregon - $42,550
Pennsylvania - $42,880
South Carolina - $51,970
South Dakota - $41,530
Tennessee - $50,550
Utah - $52,370
Virginia - $68,410
Washington - $45,310
West Virginia - $38,350
Wisconsin - $46,280
Wyoming - $49,970
Guam - $45,730
Puerto Rico - $51,940


Category: Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education

Total # Employed in the US 665,420
Average Yearly Salary $53,550
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$34,360 $41,150 $50,770 $63,980 $79,200
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 1.0% 2.9% 2.1% 46.5% 44.4% 2.9%
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $46,730
Alaska - $66,060
Arkansas - $41,290
California - $43,520
Colorado - $61,370
Connecticut - $48,320
Delaware - $67,710
District of Columbia - $54,590
Florida - $57,850
Hawaii - $50,470
Idaho - $51,860
Indiana - $38,270
Iowa - $45,880
Kansas - $59,180
Kentucky - $47,000
Louisiana - $43,720
Maine - $42,410
Maryland - $48,330
Massachusetts - $45,840
Michigan - $46,080
Mississippi - $64,510
Missouri - $60,140
Montana - $55,270
Nebraska - $45,190
Nevada - $40,610
New Hampshire - $45,040
New Jersey - $41,030
New Mexico - $45,980
New York - $48,450
North Carolina - $49,250
North Dakota - $62,060
Ohio - $51,670
Oklahoma - $67,580
Oregon - $42,710
South Carolina - $50,620
South Dakota - $39,740
Tennessee - $50,780
Utah - $57,000
Virginia - $63,770
Washington - $46,180
West Virginia - $39,340
Wisconsin - $45,020
Wyoming - $50,350
Guam - $45,990
Puerto Rico - $53,340


Category: Vocational education teachers, middle school

Total # Employed in the US 14,060
Average Yearly Salary $51,520
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$33,650 $40,480 $49,320 $61,140 $74,460
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 1.0% 2.9% 2.1% 46.5% 44.4% 2.9%
Vocational education teachers, middle school — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $47,940
Alaska - $64,960
Arkansas - $46,050
California - $47,160
Colorado - $51,310
Delaware - $64,520
Hawaii - $56,090
Idaho - $54,540
Kansas - $49,660
Kentucky - $51,870
Louisiana - $40,850
Maine - $44,450
Maryland - $52,670
Massachusetts - $45,740
Michigan - $52,620
Mississippi - $55,220
Missouri - $62,710
Montana - $52,500
Nebraska - $47,520
Nevada - $45,280
New Hampshire - $46,400
New Jersey - $30,180
New Mexico - $46,960
New York - $49,240
North Carolina - $52,570
Ohio - $53,810
Oklahoma - $58,660
Oregon - $44,840
South Carolina - $58,530
South Dakota - $45,960
Tennessee - $47,060
Utah - $57,590
Virginia - $51,060
Washington - $50,900
West Virginia - $41,930
Wisconsin - $43,100
Wyoming - $50,820
Guam - $47,420


Category: Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education

Total # Employed in the US 1,091,710
Average Yearly Salary $55,150
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$34,600 $42,070 $52,200 $66,110 $82,000
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 0.7% 2.3% 1.6% 45.3% 46.5% 3.3%
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $47,320
Alaska - $67,640
Arkansas - $43,670
California - $45,410
Colorado - $63,860
Connecticut - $49,490
Delaware - $65,790
District of Columbia - $57,720
Florida - $55,740
Hawaii - $52,450
Idaho - $53,610
Indiana - $48,660
Iowa - $51,730
Kansas - $67,960
Kentucky - $45,810
Louisiana - $42,270
Maine - $42,240
Maryland - $49,470
Massachusetts - $46,150
Michigan - $45,380
Mississippi - $62,500
Missouri - $61,470
Montana - $52,110
Nebraska - $49,210
Nevada - $42,120
New Hampshire - $42,540
New Jersey - $38,970
New Mexico - $44,780
New York - $48,580
North Carolina - $51,340
North Dakota - $65,420
Ohio - $54,480
Oklahoma - $68,010
Oregon - $44,260
Pennsylvania - $41,310
South Carolina - $54,530
South Dakota - $42,320
Tennessee - $50,390
Utah - $55,150
Virginia - $65,050
Washington - $48,030
West Virginia - $38,070
Wisconsin - $46,520
Wyoming - $52,270
Guam - $43,480
Puerto Rico - $52,510


Category: Vocational education teachers, secondary school

Total # Employed in the US 92,980
Average Yearly Salary $54,420
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$35,420 $42,890 $52,550 $64,830 $78,170
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
0.3% 0.7% 2.3% 1.6% 45.3% 46.5% 3.3%
Vocational education teachers, secondary school — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $52,620
Alaska - $71,230
Arkansas - $43,880
California - $47,570
Colorado - $61,620
Connecticut - $50,920
Delaware - $65,580
Hawaii - $56,910
Idaho - $54,680
Indiana - $44,810
Iowa - $41,760
Kansas - $52,130
Kentucky - $55,730
Louisiana - $41,520
Maine - $43,890
Maryland - $55,200
Massachusetts - $48,610
Michigan - $46,160
Mississippi - $64,550
Missouri - $62,920
Montana - $54,540
Nebraska - $54,590
Nevada - $44,320
New Hampshire - $44,300
New Jersey - $39,680
New Mexico - $45,270
New York - $53,690
North Carolina - $54,870
North Dakota - $65,330
Ohio - $53,230
Oklahoma - $65,050
Oregon - $47,210
Pennsylvania - $42,750
South Carolina - $59,350
South Dakota - $47,960
Tennessee - $55,200
Utah - $58,080
Virginia - $66,820
Washington - $49,220
West Virginia - $38,920
Wisconsin - $45,440
Wyoming - $52,390
Guam - $44,950
Puerto Rico - $55,750


Category: Teacher assistants

Total # Employed in the US 1,275,410
Average Yearly Salary $24,280
Yearly Salary Range
PERCENTILE
10%25%50%75%90%
$15,870 $18,260 $22,820 $28,820 $35,350
Employment Demographics
% OF WORKERS WITH
< High School Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree Bachelor Degree Master Degree Doctoral Degree
2.9% 32.6% 31.1% 13.9% 15.9% 3.1% 0.4%
Teacher assistants — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
STATEAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Alabama - $18,600
Alaska - $35,290
Arkansas - $23,440
California - $18,660
Colorado - $29,840
Connecticut - $26,290
Delaware - $28,600
District of Columbia - $25,850
Florida - $25,830
Hawaii - $22,300
Idaho - $19,240
Indiana - $25,110
Iowa - $22,880
Kansas - $22,920
Kentucky - $21,520
Louisiana - $20,700
Maine - $21,130
Maryland - $24,130
Massachusetts - $17,990
Michigan - $27,960
Mississippi - $27,140
Missouri - $27,410
Montana - $24,440
Nebraska - $26,560
Nevada - $16,720
New Hampshire - $22,000
New Jersey - $20,250
New Mexico - $20,610
New York - $28,520
North Carolina - $25,280
North Dakota - $25,240
Ohio - $19,420
Oklahoma - $25,530
Oregon - $20,900
Pennsylvania - $25,190
South Carolina - $25,700
South Dakota - $19,350
Tennessee - $27,060
Utah - $23,140
Virginia - $29,280
Washington - $18,910
West Virginia - $22,240
Wisconsin - $18,920
Wyoming - $20,450
Guam - $22,680
Puerto Rico - $24,950


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