Average Salary with a Masters in Education

With a master’s in education, you’ll be eligible for more advanced teaching or administrative positions. The main benefit of these jobs is the higher salary you’ll receive, since you’ll have advanced training in fields such a curriculum, leadership, developmental psychology, technology, and educational theories. But just how much money can you make with a master’s in education? Let’s take a look at the salary you can expect to receive.

Master’s in Education Base Salary

The salary you can expect to earn after graduation with a master’s degree in education will depend on a variety of factors including, position, facility, and location. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a median salary for kindergarten and elementary school teachers at $51,380 in 2010 for teachers holding only a bachelor’s degree. Teachers holding similar positions with a graduate degree can expect to earn higher salaries. With a more advanced degree, you also have the option to go on to work in more administrative roles. For principals with a master’s degree at the elementary, middle, and high schools levels, earned a median salary of $86,970 per year in 2010.
There are more career opportunities in education other than working as a teacher or principal. If you hold a master’s degree in education, other career paths may include:

School administrator
Counselor
Head teacher

Depending on your specialty and background, these roles can allow you to pull in higher salaries and earn significantly more than working as a teacher. Some school administrators, especially those in higher education, earn annual salaries in the six figures range.

Factors that Affect Salary

The position you take after graduating with a master’s in education is just one of the pieces to the salary puzzle. Another main factor that can significantly increase your salary is location – teachers in high-demand areas make more money, as is the case in most industries. In the world of education, type of employer also makes a huge difference. Educators working at private schools make more money, and many of these positions are only open to those with master’s degrees. Other factors that can affect your salary as someone with a master’s in education include:

Specialization
Grade level
Subject taught
Years of experience

Making More Money as an Educator

Getting your master’s in education isn’t the only way you can make more money as an educator. You can also serve on the school board, coach a sport, lead an after-school program, become a tutor, supervise detention, or teach summer school, as a way to bring in extra money. As you gain experience, you’ll also be offered raises, as well as additional paid vacation days, and many schools have tuition reimbursement packages so you can go back to school for another master’s degree or doctorate for free. This allows you to continue to work as an educator while you also further your own education.

Online Master in Education Degrees

A master's degree in education, whether an Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Education (M.Ed.) will open up a world of opportunities for aspiring teachers and educational administrators. Several accredited universities offer degrees entirely online. We have listed some options below.

MA in Teaching MA in Teaching Credentials MA in Teaching ESL	University of Southern California — University of Southern California is a highly-respected provider of online, college education with several programs added to their course catalog in response to growing interest in online education. These courses offer a practical approach to education, combining hands-on exercises with industry-driven curriculum. USC offers a MA in Teaching, MA in Teaching Credentials, and a MA in Teaching ESL.
MS in Educational Psych MS in Online Learning MS in Higher Education More Degrees	Capella University — Capella offers Master level teaching programs that cover preschool through high school education and into adult education, attracting both current teachers and those entering the field. Courses focus on helping future teachers improve student achievement by applying the most current theories, research and technology. Students leave with a portfolio that demonstrates their master's level competency to potential employers.
MS in Education MS/Edu in College Admin MS/Edu in Leadership More...	Kaplan University — Kaplan University's MS in Education program offers specializations in technology, leadership, student affairs, online teaching, administration, and college teaching because the university's faculty is aware that classrooms today come in a variety of unique learning environments. Students learn all the tools necessary for effective teaching in all of these environments, whether they be online, in colleges, or vocational schools.
MA in Education MA/Edu in Child Development MA/Edu in Education Policy More...	Ashford University — Ashford University's online Masters in Education program offers fourteen unique specializations in areas such as child development, education policy, assessment & measurement, and culturally responsive education. These cutting edge specialties are designed prepare today's teachers to help their students excel in the classroom by providing a psychological and technological framework other programs don't.
MA/Edu in Elementary Teaching MA/Edu in Secondary Teaching MA/Edu in Special Education	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix offers advanced education programs to help train the next generation of teachers and administrators in a variety of areas. Specializations available for the elementary education, secondary education, special education, and more, helping to prepare students to excel in their teaching exams.
MEd in Teaching MEd in Elementary Ed. MEd in Special Ed.	Liberty University — In Liberty University's Masters in Education online program in Teaching & Learning, all the basics are covered and students leave prepared to pass their teacher certification exams with flying colors. But, the program doesn't just teach to the test, it also covers the real-world classroom skills that are of paramount importance to effective teaching, like discipline and planning engaging curricula.
MS in Education MS in Distance Learning MS in Teacher Leadership More...	Walden University — Walden University's MS in Education program includes a number of specializations, including regular and unique single subjects for grades K-8. Some of the cutting edge specializations, like Adolescent Literacy and Technology for grades 6-12, and Integrating Technology in the Classroom, are sure to make teachers' resumes stand out. All MS in education programs emphasize practical strategies for managing a classroom and designing current curricula.
MS in Special Education MS in Learning Technologies MS in Higher Education	Drexel University — Drexel University, a leader in higher education, has added several masters in education online programs in response to growing interest in online education. This selection allow students to direct their careers to a field of their interest. Drexel offers many online programs including MS in Special Education, MS in Learning Technologies, and MS in Higher Education.
MEd in Teaching MEd in Instructional Design	Post University — Post University online programs for two of its masters in education degrees: MEd in Teaching and MEd in Instructional Design and Technology. These programs are designed for students who want to quickly advance their careers as they can be completed in two (2) years. Post University has over 100 years of excellence in serving students and helping them obtain the skills, knowledge, and resources required by today's work environment.
MEd in Teaching Leadership MEd in National Board Prep MEd in Gifted Students MEd in STEM MEd in TESOL (ESL)	University of Cincinnati — For student who want to advance their careers in education, University of Cincinnati offers several master in education degrees through online programs. These include programs for becoming a leader in education and developing innovative curriculum. In addition, MEd can help prepare students to teach special programs like gifted and talented (GT) students, students who speak languages other than English (ESL), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
MEd in School Counseling MEd in Science Education MEd in Reading & Language More...	University of Massachusetts — The University of Massachusetts' M.Ed. in instructional design offers training in how to craft and deliver adult education that meets the current educational demands of the marketplace. The M.Ed. in Science Education combines faculty with specializations in science and education to create a well-rounded program. Students learn to design hands-on curricula that engage students. The online M.Ed. in School Counseling is one of UMass's most popular degrees, but requires two weeks of on campus clinical courses.
MEd in Leadership & Admin MEd in Tech Leadership	George Washington University — George Washington University offers two accredited Masters of Education through online programs in addition to their campus counterparts. These degrees offer greater convenience and flexibility and can be completed in under two (2) years or at a pace that is comfortable to you. The first degree is a MEd in Educational Leadership and Administration, and the second degree is a MEd in Educational Technology Leadership.
MEd in Curriculum MEd in Assessment MEd in Instructional Tech. MEd in Leadership	American InterContinental University — The American InterContinental University's M.Ed. in curriculum, assessment, instructional technology, and leadership programs help current teachers improve their techniques and learn new technology that will help them excel in their classrooms, and outside of them as leaders in education. Experienced teachers and aspiring teachers alike improve their abilities to motivate learners while earning the advanced degrees they need to keep growing in their careers.
MEd in Athletic Admin MEd in eLearning MEd in Global Training MEd in Early Childhood Ed More...	Northcentral University — Northcentral University strives to create a unique learning experience for each student through the many online programs they offer. The masters programs are for students wanting to quickly advance their careers in education. These programs provide more flexibility and convenience than campus programs and can be completed on your own timeline. NCU has several fields of interest to specialize in, like Athletic Administration, eLearning, Global Training & Development, and Early Childhood Education.
MS in Education MS in College Administration MS in Edu. Leadership MS in Teaching & Learning	Keiser University — Keiser University's MS in Education program with specializations in college administration, educational leadership, and teaching & learning, teaches students to work more effectively in diverse educational environments and communicate effectively to motivate and lead inside and outside the classroom. Practical and theoretical coursework are combined in the curriculum in subjects like Integrative Instructional Technology, and Ethical Decision Making.
MEd in Adult Education MEd in Edu. Management MEd in Edu. Technology	Strayer University — Strayer University's M.Ed. in adult education & development, M.Ed. in educational management, and M.Ed. in Technology in Education programs are not only useful degrees for teachers, but also for training and development professionals and human resource staff managers. Students learn the business and information technology skills that are especially helpful to these careers, as well as the fundamentals of effective teaching and leadership.
MA in Art Education MA in Music Education	Boston University — Boston University's MA in art education and the Master of Music in music education are teaching degree programs formed with the artist in mind. The curricula of each program develops a passion for teaching art while providing a practical framework of skills and teaching techniques so future teachers are completely prepared to bring out the best in their talented students.