What Can You Do With a Doctorate in Education?

• Education doctorates come in two forms: the Ph.D. and the Ed.D.
• These are terminal degrees, the highest level someone can attain in a field of study.
• Professionals with education doctorates can pursue a wide variety of specializations.
• Salaries and job outlooks vary considerably by specialty, by industry, and by experience.

Doctorates in education are among the most versatile terminal degrees you can earn.

I've used mine from Harvard University to fashion a career as a writer, editor, professor, and college administrator. NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal has used his doctorate in education to, well, be Shaq, and he says earning his degree is his proudest accomplishment.

Education doctorates come in two forms: the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) and the doctor of education (Ed.D.).

A Ph.D. in education is typically more research-based and prepares future faculty members, researchers, and scholars. An Ed.D., on the other hand, is more practitioner-oriented and is held by college and school administrators, including superintendents. Although not as common, many people with an Ed.D. can also become faculty members in other Ed.D. or education programs in higher education. They also may work for private companies.

But the distinction between the Ph.D. and Ed.D. is often blurred, and most careers in education — and beyond — are open to professionals with either degree.

Let's take a closer look at the various career paths people with education doctorates can pursue.

8 Jobs You Can Get With a Doctorate in Education

A doctorate in education can lead to many career paths, including college professor, higher education administrator, and education researcher. This section introduces common career paths for professionals with a doctorate in education, along with salary and projected job outlook data.

1. K-12 Principal

• Median Annual Salary (May 2022): $101,320
• Projected Employment Growth (2022-2032): 1%

Principals oversee the operation of their schools, setting academic goals and ensuring that teachers have the resources to achieve them. They manage daily operations, supervise teachers and staff, and work closely with students and parents to create an effective learning environment.

Becoming a principal typically requires a graduate degree and teaching experience, along with a school administrator license in many states.

2. School Superintendent

• Median Annual Salary (February 2024): $144,940
• Projected Employment Growth (2022-2032): N/A

School superintendents lead school districts. Reporting to the school board, superintendents set goals for the district and manage the budget. They are also responsible for hiring principals in their district and have the final say on dismissing teachers or disciplining employees. Many superintendents have previous teaching experience and, in many cases, were principals or school leaders before ascending to their current roles.

Nearly 44% of all superintendents hold either an Ed.D. or Ph.D.

3. College Professor

• Median Annual Salary (May 2022): $80,840
• Projected Employment Growth (2022-2032): 8%

College professors instruct students across a variety of academic subjects at public and private colleges and universities, professional schools, and community colleges. Many work full time, although part-time work is increasingly common.

Professors typically hold a terminal degree in their field, such as a Ph.D. or Ed.D., though some have only a master's degree. Employment outlook and pay vary widely depending on the field of study.

4. Higher Education Administrator

• Median Annual Salary (May 2022): $99,940
• Projected Employment Growth (2022-2032): 4%

The term "higher education administrator" covers a wide variety of responsibilities. It includes college and university presidents and provosts (chief academic officers), deans, vice presidents, and other staff overseeing functions such as enrollment and admissions, student health services, academic advising, information technology, fundraising and alumni relations, communications and marketing, career planning and placement, and financial aid and registration.

Many of these administrators, especially at the dean or vice president level, hold doctorates in education, though the degree is not required for many administrative positions. Salaries vary considerably depending on one's level of position, field of endeavor, and institution.

5. Chief Learning Officer

• Median Annual Salary (August 2023): $156,340
• Projected Employment Growth (2022-2032): N/A

A chief learning officer oversees training and professional development programs for employees in a school system or district. They assess the needs of teachers and administrators, create professional development strategies, and evaluate the effectiveness of schoolwide initiatives. Chief learning officers can work in corporations as well, managing employee training through workshops, seminars, and guest speakers.

6. Education Researcher

• Median Annual Salary (January 2022): $67,380
• Projected Employment Growth (2022-2032): N/A

Assessment and education researchers analyze the effectiveness of course content, along with teaching and learning methods. They use a range of methods and tools to collect and analyze data, including interviews, focus groups, and classroom observation. Education researchers can work in various settings, such as schools, universities, nongovernmental organizations, and private companies.

7. Education Director

• Median Annual Salary (March 2024): $72,230
• Projected Employment Growth (2022-2032): N/A

Education directors hold supervisory positions within schools, districts, businesses, and educational organizations. They may be responsible for choosing materials and evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum, as well as conducting performance reviews of instructors. In most cases, education directors hold a master's degree or higher. And they often are licensed in the state where they are employed if they work in a school environment.

8. Training and Development Manager

• Median Annual Salary (May 2022): $120,000
• Projected Employment Growth (2022-2032): 6%

Training and development managers design and direct knowledge-enhancement programs for an organization's staff. They are responsible for assessing employees' training needs, creating or selecting course content and materials for training programs, aligning training with the organization's goals, and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs and instructors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jobs With a Doctorate in Education

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 15, 2024.