Education, although an industry where you can help others, is not exactly known for having jobs with top salaries. However, the money you earn in this field depends on a number of factors – and if you’re smart, you can use your education degree to earn a six-figure salary. Let’s take a look at the average salary you can expect as an educator and how to make more money.

Salary by Degree

As an education major, you’ll have a number of degree options, and these options can make an impact on your salary. In general, educators make an average of $40,000 to $45,000 per year. Early childhood education majors who work as preschool teachers make the least, with elementary education majors making slightly more and secondary education majors making the most. At each of these levels, you’ll also make more money if you go into special education, since you’ll work with more demanding students in a less-than-optimal situation.

Education Administration

You can also make more money if you go into education administration. These positions require at least a master’s degree, and in some situations, you may need a doctorate to qualify for the position. Many schools allow educators to take master’s degree classes while continuing to teach, often supplementing the costs to make it more affordable. From there, you can apply to head teacher positions or higher-level administration, such as becoming a principal or superintendent. These upper-level positions come attached to much higher salaries.

How to Make More Money

Other than going back to school for an advanced education degree, what else can you do to make more money as a teacher. Consider the following:

• Choose your location wisely – you’ll make more money in urban areas than in rural areas in most cases.
• Look for a private school job – they usually require master’s degrees, but you’ll generally make more money than you would at a public school.
• Work in a high-need area – not only will you make more money, but you may also qualify to loan repayment programs.
• Participate as a student adviser or coach – taking on extra work after school means you’ll earn more money.
• Tutor students after school or serve as a summer school teacher.