16 Jobs with a Masters in Education
A Master of Education is not just an academic qualification. It is a pathway to more senior and specialised roles across teaching, leadership, curriculum, student services, and student support.
The expertise you acquire is not confined to the school environment. Graduates influence online learning, professional development in organisations, Commonwealth and state education policy, and system-wide improvement work.
One practical point matters for almost every role on this list. In Australia, many school-based roles depend on your teaching experience, your employer, and state or territory registration settings. The national baseline is the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers, which sit behind accreditation and expectations for practice.
Let’s explore jobs you are better positioned to perform with a Masters in Education. Prioritised here are roles where re-training is not essential and where a graduate may be able to transition with realistic on-the-job learning and context-specific induction.
Should I Do a Masters in Education?
If you’re driven and committed, a Master of Education degree is a valuable investment of your time and effort. Further study requires dedication, and the opportunities for career progression and professional growth can be significant.
A postgraduate education program is more than an enhancement to your teaching. It can broaden your options for progression into leadership, specialist teaching, student support roles, and roles outside schools where education expertise is valued.
A Master of Education is worth doing because of its practical and career value. I chose Educational Leadership as my specialization. The program gave me practical skills in conflict resolution, resource management, and data-driven decision-making, all of which are now integral to my daily tasks.
The breadth of roles available with this qualification highlights its value. By selecting specialisations such as Educational Leadership, Digital Learning, Guidance and Counselling, or Student Wellbeing, you can shape your career path in a targeted way. Moreover, online programs offer the flexibility to complete the degree part-time while you continue in your current position.
Teaching Jobs in Schools
An education master’s degree offers benefits even if you remain in classroom teaching. It can sharpen your instructional decision-making and help you take on higher-responsibility work inside your school, such as leading pedagogy, mentoring, literacy support, or curriculum coordination.
1. Classroom Teacher
Classroom teachers design and deliver lessons to students, assess progress, and provide feedback to support learning. They cultivate a positive learning environment and build student confidence over time.
Job titles: primary teacher, secondary teacher, science teacher, humanities teacher.
2. Special Education Teacher
Special ed teachers work with students who have a range of learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They develop individualised learning plans and use specialised teaching techniques to cater to each student’s unique needs.
Job titles: special education teacher, inclusion teacher, special needs educator, learning support teacher.
Pay: In Australia, a special ed teacher typically earns around $103,678 per year.
3. ESL Teacher
As an ESL teacher, you focus on teaching English to speakers of other languages, adjusting instruction to cater to varied linguistic backgrounds and learning needs. The role matters for bridging language gaps and supporting participation across the curriculum.
Job titles: ESL teacher, TESOL instructor, ELL educator, English language tutor.
4. Instruction Coordinator
Instruction coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards, collaborating with educators to develop and implement effective teaching methodologies. A key goal is to support consistent, high-quality instruction across year levels or learning areas.
Job titles: instruction coordinator, curriculum lead, teaching and learning advisor, educational program director.
5. Reading Coach
Reading coaches specialise in literacy improvement, providing targeted strategies to help students strengthen reading skills. They also support teachers with practical approaches to classroom literacy instruction and intervention programs.
Job titles: reading coach, literacy coordinator, literacy consultant, reading specialist.
Non-Teaching Roles in Schools
A postgraduate degree in education is not just for the classroom. It can position you for administrative and coordination roles within schools, particularly when paired with experience and a track record in leading initiatives.
6. School Principal
A school principal leads the academic and administrative functions of a school. With responsibility for setting the school’s direction, the principal also manages staff and builds community relationships.
Job titles: principal, deputy principal, head of school, school director.
7. Education Administrator
Administrators handle the logistical and operational aspects of educational institutions. Duties may include collaborating with staff, managing resources, and coordinating key processes and events.
Job titles: education manager, academic director, school operations manager, school coordinator.
Pay: In Australia, an education coordinator earns an average annual salary of $115,039.
8. Curriculum Developer
Curriculum developers design and refine educational content to align with standards, assessment expectations, and student needs. Their collaborations with educators drive updates and improvements to school programs.
Job titles: curriculum designer, instructional designer, education program developer, curriculum specialist.
9. Special Education Coordinator
Special ed coordinators guide programs for students with disability and additional needs, helping schools deliver consistent support. They work with teachers, families, and external services to improve planning and student outcomes.
Job titles: special needs coordinator, inclusive education facilitator, disability education planner, special education program leader.
10. School Counselor
School counsellors provide emotional, academic, and career guidance for students. They support wellbeing, work with families and staff, and contribute to prevention and early-intervention programs.
Job titles: guidance counsellor, student advisor, pastoral care coordinator, student welfare officer.
Jobs Outside the School System
Stepping outside the traditional school setting with a Master’s in Education can be rewarding and challenging. Employers range from corporates to government agencies and nonprofits. The transition is often smoother when you can demonstrate outcomes you have delivered in schools, such as program design, staff development, or data-informed improvement work.
11. L&D Officer
Learning and Development Officers collaborate with businesses to design and run training initiatives that build workforce capability. Their focus is often on implementation, coordination, and day-to-day delivery support.
Job titles: corporate trainer, L&D officer, training consultant, L&D coordinator.
Pay: In Australia, a learning and development officer earns an average salary of $80,409 per year.
12. L&D Advisor
Learning and Development Advisors take a more strategic role, advising organisations on training priorities, program design, and evaluation. They often contribute to capability frameworks, leadership development, and performance uplift initiatives.
Job titles: L&D strategist, professional development advisor, corporate training strategist, senior L&D consultant.
Pay: A learning and development advisor earns an average of $107,000 per year.
13. Adult Education Instructor
Adult education instructors teach mature learners, adapting methods to suit adult motivation, work contexts, and prior experience. They may teach vocational skills, foundational learning, or professional education in community and training settings.
Job titles: adult literacy teacher, vocational trainer, continuing education lecturer, TAFE instructor.
14. Education Policy Analyst
Education policy analysts research and evaluate policies and programs to recommend improvements or new approaches. Their work can influence decisions across government and education systems, affecting schools, training, and higher education.
Job titles: policy researcher, educational policy consultant, academic policy advisor, education reform analyst.
15. Educational Technologist
Educational technologists use technology to improve learning design and delivery in schools and tertiary settings. They help select tools, build digital learning experiences, and support educators to use platforms effectively.
Job titles: edTech specialist, digital learning coordinator, e-learning designer, instructional technology coordinator.
16. Education Consultant
Education consultants provide advice on learning strategy, curriculum, teaching practice, and improvement initiatives. They may work with schools, providers, government, or businesses to strengthen learning outcomes and program quality.
Job titles: educational advisor, academic consultant, instructional strategist, pedagogical specialist.
