However, other options exist for people interested in working in education who hope to earn more.

USA TODAY explored education careers in which people earn more than elementary, middle or high school teachers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics.

These jobs require at least a master's degree, and, in some cases, a few years of teaching experience. So they would be a smoother transition for someone looking for a step up from the classroom.

People interested in non-teaching jobs who want to go into education should know that roles that require more qualification are rarer and applications are often offered to teachers, said Melissa Arnold Lyon, an assistant professor of public policy at the State University of New York at Albany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy.

"But if people are detracted by low pay and respect, they could consider a more prestigious and higher paying option," Lyon told USA TODAY.

School principals

School principals earned a median wage of $103,460 in 2023, according to federal labor statistics data.

Directors of elementary, middle and high schools manage staff, observe teacher performance, develop and implement curriculum, manage school budgets and counsel and discipline students, according to the federal labor statistics site. They're also required to establish academic goals that align with state standards.

To become a school principal, people often need a master's degree in education administration or leadership, according to the bureau's data. The role may also require a few years of teaching experience.

Pedro Noguera, dean of the University of California Rossier School of Education, said becoming a principal makes the most sense for teachers who want a leadership role and hope to have a wider impact on campus.

Although teaching experience isn't explicitly required to become a principal, in most districts, it's unlikely the hiring team would "pick someone to lead teachers with no credibility as a teacher," Noguera said.

The workload also exceeds what's expected of a teacher. School principals don't have summers off and are contractually obligated to work after school hours, said Nora Hyland, an associate dean of academic affairs and faculty director of teacher education at the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University.

"So picking up a summer job or traveling in the summer are generally not options," she said. "It's just not as flexible."

Instructional coordinators

Instructional coordinators earned a median wage of $74,260 in May 2023. People in this role oversee schools' curriculum and train teachers in instruction. They may specialize in certain subjects or grades.

Coordinators evaluate the effectiveness of curricula and teaching techniques that school boards, states or federal regulations require. They observe teachers on the job, evaluate students' tests and discuss curriculum with staff, according to the labor statistics bureau.

To become an instructional coordinator, you need a master's degree, work experience in teaching or school leadership and, in some cases, a state-issued license.

Someone who "really likes going to school and learning new stuff" would excel in this role since it requires learning new skills and curriculum, said Hyland, from Rutgers.

The job allows people to specialize in their preferred fields, since schools need reading, math and other types of instructional coaches, she said.

As with being a principal, coordinating jobs often run on a yearlong rather than a school year schedule, she said.

Postsecondary teachers

Postsecondary teachers, or professors who work in colleges, universities and professional schools, earned a median wage of $84,380 per year in May 2023. This job is growing in demand, according to the federal agency.

Like high school teachers, postsecondary teachers usually specialize in a subject. Their duties include planning lessons, grading assignments, drafting instructional plans and advising students, according the labor statistics bureau.

You usually need a PhD to teach full-time at a university, but a master's degree is sufficient if you want to be an adjunct or teach at community colleges.

However it is time-consuming and expensive to become a professor, said Noguera, the dean at the Rossier School of Education.

Hyland, from Rutgers, said people should also consider that the road to tenure, or protection from being fired without cause, is more rigorous.

However, working as a professor can be a great option for people willing to complete the requirements who want to spend less time teaching, Hyland said.

Most professors are required to balance research, teaching and faculty governance within their school or department, she said.

"Certainly, being a college professor is for someone who likes to write, think and do research," Hyland said.