Education

An academic advisor is a college staff member who helps students plan degrees, choose courses, recover from academic setbacks and stay on track to graduate. Advisors work in advising centers, academic departments, community colleges and specialized units for transfer, honors or first-year students, using degree audit and early-alert platforms to manage a caseload. BLS groups them with college career counselors under Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors; in colleges, universities and professional schools, that occupation's May 2025 wages ran from $43,730 at the 10th percentile to $87,940 at the 90th, with a median of $58,410.

Academic Coordinators manage the operational and logistical dimensions of academic programs — coordinating schedules, tracking student progress, supporting faculty, managing program data, and ensuring compliance with accreditation and institutional standards. The role bridges administration and instruction, requiring both organizational systems mastery and enough academic context to support the programs they serve.

Academic Deans lead colleges, schools, or major academic divisions within colleges and universities. They oversee curriculum, faculty hiring and development, budget management, strategic planning, accreditation, and student success for their unit — serving as the primary academic and administrative leader between faculty and senior university administration.

Academic Program Coordinators manage the operational, administrative, and logistical functions of specific academic degree programs within colleges and universities. They support students through program requirements, coordinate with faculty and departments, maintain accreditation records, and ensure programs run smoothly from recruitment through graduation.

Academic Program Directors have primary academic and administrative responsibility for a specific degree program or set of programs within a college or university. They oversee curriculum, faculty, accreditation, enrollment, and student success for their program — acting as the principal advocate and leader for the program's educational mission, quality, and growth.

Academic Program Managers oversee the operational and strategic management of academic programs within colleges, universities, and educational organizations. They bridge administrative coordination and program leadership — managing staff, systems, budgets, and stakeholder relationships while ensuring programs deliver consistent quality and meet institutional and accreditation standards.

Accounting Assistant Professors teach undergraduate and graduate accounting courses, conduct original research, and contribute to departmental service at colleges and universities. They are typically tenure-track faculty who balance classroom instruction with publishing in peer-reviewed journals and maintaining professional engagement with the accounting field.

Accounting Professors are tenured or senior tenure-track faculty who teach upper-division and graduate accounting courses, lead original research programs, and provide substantial service to their departments and professional organizations. They typically hold a PhD in accounting and have established publication records in peer-reviewed journals recognized within the discipline.

An Adjunct Professor is a part-time college instructor appointed term by term to teach specific courses, outside the tenure system and without research or committee duties. Adjuncts teach at community colleges, public and private universities, and online programs, and for each assigned section they own the whole teaching job: syllabus, class sessions, grading and student contact. Pay is set per course rather than as a salary. The AAUP's 2025-26 Faculty Compensation Survey put average pay for a standard three-credit section at $4,093 in 2024-25, so yearly earnings depend on how many sections an instructor picks up and at how many schools. The BLS annual wage figures shown on this page cover a broad group of postsecondary teachers, including full-time faculty, and do not describe typical adjunct earnings.

Administrative Assistants to the Chair provide direct operational and organizational support to academic department chairs at colleges and universities. They manage the chair's calendar and correspondence, coordinate faculty and committee meetings, handle budget tracking, process personnel paperwork, and serve as the primary point of contact for students, faculty, and external visitors approaching the department.

Administrative Assistants to the Dean provide executive-level support to the dean of a college or professional school within a university. They manage complex calendars and high-volume communications, coordinate college-wide events and committee functions, handle confidential personnel matters, and serve as the primary liaison between the dean's office and department chairs, faculty, students, and external stakeholders.

Admissions Assistants support the daily operations of college and university admissions offices by processing applications, communicating with prospective students, maintaining records, and assisting admissions counselors with recruitment events and outreach. They are a frontline point of contact for applicants navigating the enrollment process.

Admissions Associates — also called Admissions Counselors or Recruitment Associates — represent colleges and universities to prospective students, conduct recruitment travel, evaluate applications, and guide applicants through the admission decision process. The role is more externally focused than an Admissions Assistant, involving independent territory management and student advising.

An admissions coordinator runs the operations of a college admissions office: processing applications, maintaining the admissions CRM, organizing recruitment and yield events, and producing the reports directors use to track enrollment. The role sits between admissions counselors, who recruit and read files, and the registrar and financial aid offices that take over once students enroll. At smaller colleges the coordinator may also evaluate applications and transfer credit. BLS does not report the title separately; for educational, guidance and career counselors and advisors at colleges and universities, May 2025 pay ran from $43,730 at the 10th percentile to $87,940 at the 90th, with a median of $58,410.

Admissions Counselors recruit prospective students for colleges and universities, evaluate applications within their assigned territory, advise students through the admission process, and support yield efforts to convert admitted students into enrolled ones. The role combines travel-based recruitment, student advising, application evaluation, and event management across an annual cycle driven by enrollment goals.

Admissions Counselor Assistants provide direct support to admissions counselors by handling administrative and operational tasks that free counselors to focus on student advising and recruitment travel. They process applications, manage correspondence, schedule appointments, assist with event logistics, and maintain accurate records in the admissions database.

Admissions Directors lead the strategic and operational functions of college and university enrollment offices. They set recruitment strategy, manage counselor teams, oversee application evaluation processes, develop admission policies, analyze enrollment data, and report to senior leadership on enrollment progress toward institutional goals. The role carries direct accountability for hitting the institution's enrollment targets each year.

Admissions Outreach Coordinators focus specifically on recruiting underrepresented and first-generation prospective students through targeted community engagement, school partnerships, and college access programming. They build relationships with high schools, community organizations, and college access programs to expand the pool of students who seriously consider and apply to their institution.

Admissions Processing Coordinators manage the intake, verification, and record management workflows for college and university application materials. They oversee document processing operations, maintain data integrity in the admissions database, supervise processing staff, and ensure that application files are accurate and complete before reaching the evaluation team.

Admissions Processors handle the document intake and data entry tasks that support college and university admissions operations. They receive, sort, and enter application materials into the admissions database, verify document accuracy, communicate with applicants about file status, and ensure application records are complete and ready for counselor review.

Advising Assistants provide administrative and operational support to academic advising centers at colleges and universities. They schedule student appointments, maintain advising records, assist with degree audit verification, answer routine student inquiries, and ensure the advising office runs efficiently so academic advisors can focus on direct student guidance.

Advising Coordinators manage operational and programmatic functions of academic advising centers at colleges and universities. They coordinate caseload assignments, oversee advising workflows and technology systems, develop training resources for advising staff, design student outreach initiatives, and often carry a limited advising caseload alongside their operational responsibilities.

Academic Advisors at colleges and universities guide students through degree requirements, major selection, course planning, and academic policy navigation. They maintain ongoing relationships with assigned student caseloads, connect students with campus resources, support students facing academic difficulty, and help students develop the educational plans that align with their goals.

An AI Education Engineer is a software engineer on the staff of a school district, college or university who builds and runs the institution's own AI tools: campus chat platforms, advising and help-desk assistants, feedback tools for teachers, and integrations with the learning management and student information systems. The role sits in central IT or academic technology and owns those tools over time, including privacy review, accessibility testing and cost control. The title is new and not standardized. BLS does not track it; software developers in educational services had a median of $109,620 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $74,110 and the 90th percentile at $165,110.

Anthropology Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses across cultural, biological, linguistic, and archaeological anthropology, conduct original fieldwork and research, and contribute to departmental governance and professional service. Most tenure-track positions require a PhD in anthropology, a developing or established research program, and a record of peer-reviewed publication.

Anthropology Teaching Assistants are graduate students who support undergraduate instruction in cultural, biological, linguistic, or archaeological anthropology. They lead discussion sections, grade assignments and exams, hold office hours, assist with course administration, and may serve as instructors of record for introductory courses. TA positions are typically part of funded graduate school packages.

Art History Professors teach courses in the history, theory, and criticism of visual art and architecture, conduct archival and object-based research leading to peer-reviewed publications, and contribute to departmental and professional service. Most tenure-track positions require a PhD, a completed dissertation, and a research program with evidence of publication or a clear publication pipeline.

Art Instructors teach visual art skills, concepts, and creative practice to students across K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, art centers, and community programs. Depending on the setting, they may teach drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital media, art history, or integrated studio and conceptual courses, while maintaining their own creative practice.

Art Professors teach studio art courses at the college and university level, maintain an active exhibition-based creative practice, mentor students from introductory studio work through graduate thesis projects, and contribute to departmental curriculum and faculty governance. The MFA is the standard terminal degree for studio art faculty, and an ongoing exhibition record is expected alongside teaching responsibilities.

Art Teachers provide visual arts instruction to K-12 students in public and private schools, teaching drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and design while building students' creative thinking, visual literacy, and appreciation for art history across cultures. They hold state teaching certification with a visual arts endorsement, manage a studio classroom across multiple grade levels, and typically see every class in a building on a rotating weekly schedule if they work at the elementary level. Beyond instruction, the role includes managing studio supplies and safety protocols, assessing work through portfolios rather than tests, and organizing the school's annual art show.

Art Therapy Professors teach graduate and undergraduate courses in art therapy theory, practice, and research while supervising clinical practicums, maintaining an active professional practice, and contributing to the field through research and publication. Most positions require an ATR-BC (Board Certified Registered Art Therapist) credential plus a doctoral degree or substantial equivalent clinical and supervisory experience.

An Assistant Chair in higher education supports the department chair in running an academic department — handling scheduling, faculty coordination, accreditation documentation, student advising oversight, and budget tracking. The role bridges faculty governance and administrative operations, often serving as the chair's direct delegate when they are unavailable.

An Assistant Dean is a senior administrator in a single college or school of a university who runs one part of the dean's office, such as academic affairs, student services, enrollment, or finance and operations. The role sits below the dean and, where the title exists, the associate dean, and it often supervises advisors, coordinators, or business staff. Assistant deans turn college policy into daily practice: curriculum approvals, student petitions, accreditation reports, and budget tracking. BLS groups them with postsecondary education administrators, whose national median pay was $104,590 in May 2025.

An Assistant Director of Admissions manages a geographic recruitment territory, reviews applications, represents the institution at college fairs and high school visits, and supports enrollment goals through data-driven outreach and counseling. The role blends travel, relationship management, and analytical work to attract and enroll students who are a strong institutional fit.

An Assistant Director of Career Services advises students on career planning, internship and job search strategies, resume writing, and interview preparation while also building and maintaining employer partnerships that generate recruiting opportunities. The role sits at the intersection of student development and labor market access, requiring both coaching skills and professional relationship management.

An Assistant Director of Financial Aid manages federal, state, and institutional aid processes — including aid packaging, verification, professional judgment cases, and regulatory compliance. The role is both analytically demanding and student-facing, requiring deep knowledge of Title IV regulations and the interpersonal skills to explain complex financial decisions to anxious families.

An Assistant Director of Student Affairs supports a broad range of student life functions — student conduct, housing, student organizations, wellness programming, or campus activities — depending on the institution's organizational structure. The role works directly with students on co-curricular development, responds to student concerns, and implements programs that support student retention and campus community.

An Assistant Director of Student Life manages campus activities, student organizations, and co-curricular programming to build a connected campus community. The role advises student leaders, plans events, oversees activity funding, and creates programs that support student engagement, belonging, and leadership development outside the classroom.

An Assistant Principal supports the principal in running a K-12 school's daily operations: student discipline, teacher observation, scheduling, and emergency response. The role is the standard entry point into school administration, built around handling whatever the principal cannot be in two places for at once. In 2026 the job also includes enforcing state cell phone and device bans, and drafting guardrails around student AI use. Assistant principals typically hold a master's degree, a state administrative license, and several years of classroom teaching experience before stepping into the role.

An Assistant Professor is a tenure-track faculty member who teaches undergraduate and/or graduate courses, conducts original research, and contributes to departmental and institutional service. The position is typically a 6-year probationary period that culminates in a tenure review, where the faculty member's record of scholarship, teaching, and service is evaluated against departmental and institutional standards.

An Assistant Professor of Music Education prepares future K-12 music teachers through coursework in pedagogy, curriculum, and practicum supervision, while conducting original research in music learning and teaching. The position sits at the intersection of music performance training and educational theory, requiring expertise in both domains along with genuine understanding of what actually works in K-12 music classrooms.

An Assistant Superintendent is a member of a school district's cabinet who runs one division of the central office, such as teaching and learning, personnel, student services or business operations, and reports to the superintendent. The job turns board policy into directives that principals, directors and department staff carry out, and it owns a budget, a staff and a set of compliance deadlines. Pay on this page is an estimate: roughly $125,000 to $215,000, with a midpoint near $160,000, because federal wage data lumps the role in with principals. Pay data from Washington and California districts reaches the upper end of that band.

An Assistant Superintendent for Instruction is the chief instructional leader of a school district, responsible for curriculum quality, instructional program effectiveness, assessment systems, and the professional development of teachers and principals. The role translates district academic goals into the classroom-level reality across every school in the system.

An assistant teacher works beside a lead teacher as the other adult in the room, helping run activities, supervise children and keep daily routines on track. This page covers the title as used in early childhood programs such as Head Start, state-funded pre-K and child care centers; some schools also use it for K-12 classroom aides. Federal wage data files the job with teaching assistants: the May 2025 BLS survey puts the national median for Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary at $36,780, with the 10th percentile at $27,150 and the 90th at $50,040. The work blends hands-on care, small-group teaching and the observation notes programs use to track each child's development.

An Assistant to the Dean provides executive-level administrative and operational support to a college or school's dean, managing scheduling, communications, budget tracking, event coordination, and special projects. The role requires discretion, organizational precision, and an understanding of higher education governance and culture — it is distinct from an Assistant Dean, which is an academic leadership position.

An Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs serves as a senior leader in the student affairs division of a university or college, overseeing multiple functional areas — housing, conduct, wellness, student activities, or diversity and inclusion — while supporting the Vice President in division management, policy development, and crisis response. The role is a step below VP and requires both functional expertise and institution-wide leadership credibility.

An associate dean is a college-level academic officer who runs a defined part of a college or school on the dean's behalf, such as academic affairs, faculty affairs, research, graduate studies or student success. The job sits between department chairs and the dean, with budget, personnel and curriculum authority inside its portfolio. BLS counts the role among postsecondary education administrators, an occupation that includes provosts and academic deans. That group earned a median of $104,590 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $64,560 and the 90th percentile at $215,620. Employers range from community college districts to public and private research universities and professional schools.

An Associate Professor is a tenured faculty member who teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, conducts original research, advises students and doctoral candidates, and contributes to departmental and institutional governance. The rank is typically held for 5–15 years before promotion to full professor, and the post-tenure period is where faculty establish the mature arc of their scholarly contributions.

An Associate Professor of Business Administration is a tenured faculty member at a college of business or management, teaching courses in their area of specialization — finance, marketing, strategy, operations, organizational behavior, or related fields — while conducting research and contributing to AACSB accreditation requirements. Business school faculty command significantly higher salaries than their counterparts in most academic disciplines due to competition with private sector employment.

An Associate Professor of Educational Leadership teaches graduate courses in school administration, policy, and leadership theory while preparing aspiring principals, superintendents, and other K-12 leaders through licensure and doctoral programs. The role combines scholarly research, clinical supervision, and field-based program work that connects university preparation to the actual practice of school leadership.

An Associate Professor of History is a tenured faculty member who teaches undergraduate and graduate history courses, conducts archival and scholarly research leading to published books and articles, advises students, and contributes to departmental governance. The role requires sustained independent scholarship in a defined historical subfield alongside effective teaching across the curriculum.

An Associate Professor of Literature teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in literary studies, conducts scholarly research on texts and cultural contexts, advises students and doctoral candidates, and contributes to departmental governance. The role requires sustained production of peer-reviewed scholarship — typically in the form of journal articles and a second book — alongside effective teaching across historical periods, genres, and theoretical frameworks.

An Associate Professor of Political Science is a tenured faculty member who teaches courses in their area of specialization — American politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory — while conducting peer-reviewed research, mentoring graduate students, and serving on departmental and university governance bodies.

An Associate Professor of Psychology is a tenured faculty member who teaches undergraduate and graduate psychology courses, runs an active research laboratory, trains doctoral students, secures external grant funding, and contributes to departmental and university governance. The role sits at the intersection of science, clinical training (in clinical programs), and education, with research expectations that vary significantly by subfield.

An Associate Professor of Public Administration teaches graduate and undergraduate students in public administration, public policy, or public affairs programs while conducting research on government organizations, policy implementation, nonprofit management, or public sector leadership. The role bridges academic scholarship and professional preparation, often with direct connections to government practitioners and policy organizations.

An Associate Professor of Social Work teaches graduate and undergraduate students in BSW and MSW programs, conducts research on social welfare policy, practice interventions, or community development, and contributes to CSWE accreditation. The role bridges practice-oriented professional preparation with academic scholarship, often requiring both a doctoral degree and significant direct practice experience in the field.

Astronomy Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in astronomy and astrophysics while conducting original research into topics such as stellar evolution, galaxy formation, or exoplanet detection. They advise students, publish peer-reviewed findings, secure grant funding, and contribute to departmental and university service that keeps academic programs running.

Athletic Coaches plan and direct the training, skill development, and competitive performance of athletes at the high school, collegiate, or club level. They design practice schedules, analyze game film, recruit prospective players, manage team budgets and travel logistics, and build the culture that determines whether a program wins and retains athletes.

Athletic Trainers in higher education provide injury prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation services to collegiate student-athletes. They work within college athletic departments, collaborating with team physicians, strength coaches, and academic staff to keep athletes healthy, eligible, and performing at their best through a demanding competitive calendar.

A band director is the teacher who runs a school's instrumental music program: beginning band, concert band, wind ensemble, jazz band and, at some high schools, a marching band with its own fall season. The job sits in public and private middle and high schools on the teacher contract, so BLS covers school directors in its teacher profiles rather than with professional conductors. Directors also handle the business side of the program: instrument inventory, music library, travel and booster relations. Using the BLS figures for secondary school teachers, pay runs from $48,780 at the 10th percentile to $107,600 at the 90th, with a median of $72,040 in May 2025, before any band stipend.

A Behavior Analyst is a clinician who uses applied behavior analysis to figure out why a behavior happens and then builds a plan to change it. In education the role usually sits inside a special education department, a district behavior team or a contracted clinic, working with students who have autism, developmental disabilities or behavior that blocks learning. The job centers on functional behavior assessments, behavior intervention plans, data review and coaching the teachers and aides who run those plans day to day. The role is built around the BCBA credential from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Pay is an editorial estimate of $61K to $114K, with a midpoint near $80K, drawn from public pay schedules.

Behavioral Therapists implement evidence-based interventions to address challenging behaviors, emotional regulation difficulties, and skill deficits in children and adults. They work under the supervision of licensed clinicians or BCBAs in schools, clinics, homes, and residential programs, delivering one-on-one therapy sessions, collecting behavioral data, and implementing plans designed by supervising professionals.

Biology Lab Instructors teach hands-on laboratory sections that accompany lecture courses in biology, microbiology, anatomy, and related sciences. Working primarily at community colleges and universities, they prepare lab materials, guide students through experimental procedures, assess lab reports and practical exams, and ensure safety compliance in the laboratory environment.

Biology Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses across biological sciences while conducting independent research and advising students. Their responsibilities span cellular and molecular biology, ecology, genetics, physiology, and other sub-disciplines depending on their specialty. They write grant proposals, supervise graduate students, publish peer-reviewed research, and contribute to departmental service.

Biology Research Assistants support scientific research programs in academic, government, and industry settings by conducting experiments, maintaining biological samples and cultures, analyzing data, and preparing materials for investigations led by principal investigators and senior scientists. The role is common in university research labs as an entry-level position for recent biology graduates before graduate school or as a career track in staff scientist roles.

Biology Teachers instruct middle and high school students in life science concepts including cell biology, genetics, ecology, evolution, and human anatomy. They develop lesson plans aligned with state standards, conduct laboratory investigations, assess student learning, and support students in developing scientific reasoning and literacy skills that extend well beyond the biology classroom.

Biology Teaching Assistants are graduate students who teach laboratory sections, lead discussion groups, hold office hours, and grade assignments for undergraduate biology courses while completing their own graduate education. The TA position is typically a funded component of a graduate fellowship that provides a stipend and tuition waiver in exchange for instructional support to the department.

Biomedical Science Teachers teach high school courses that apply biology, chemistry, and medical science concepts to health, disease, diagnostics, and human systems. Many teach within the Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science pathway, which includes courses on principles of biomedical science, human body systems, medical interventions, and biomedical innovations designed to prepare students for healthcare and life science careers.

Business Administration Assistant Professors are tenure-track faculty at colleges of business who teach undergraduate and graduate business courses, conduct research for publication in peer-reviewed business journals, and contribute to departmental service. The role spans functional areas including management, marketing, finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, and strategy depending on the faculty member's specialization.

Business Professors teach business courses at the undergraduate, MBA, and doctoral levels while conducting research in functional areas such as management, finance, marketing, accounting, or entrepreneurship. At research-focused institutions, they publish in peer-reviewed academic journals, advise doctoral students, and pursue external funding. At teaching-focused schools, they emphasize course delivery and student engagement over research production.

Business Research Coordinators support faculty research activities in college of business settings, managing data collection, literature reviews, grant administration, and project coordination. They serve as the organizational backbone for research programs that require external data, survey management, IRB compliance, grant reporting, and coordination among multiple investigators.

Business Teachers instruct students in foundational and applied business concepts including personal finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, business management, and computer applications. Working primarily in high schools and career and technical education programs, they prepare students for business careers, college business programs, and financial literacy that applies throughout life.

Career Center Directors lead the career services operation at colleges and universities, overseeing career counseling staff, employer relations programs, internship and job placement initiatives, and the technology platforms that connect students with career opportunities. They are accountable for placement rates, employer partnership quality, and the overall career readiness of the institution's graduates.

Career Counselors help individuals explore career options, develop job search skills, and navigate career transitions through individual advising, assessment tools, and structured programming. They work in college career centers, high schools, workforce development agencies, and private practices, providing guidance on career decision-making, resume development, interview preparation, and professional identity formation.

Career Development Specialists design and deliver career programming, conduct individual advising sessions, and develop resources that help students and job seekers identify career goals and build the skills to reach them. They work in college career centers, workforce development organizations, and educational nonprofits, bridging individual coaching with scalable programs that serve large populations.

Career Services Coordinators support the operational and programmatic functions of college career centers, coordinating events, managing employer relationships, supporting student advising, and maintaining the systems that connect students with internships and jobs. They serve as the administrative and logistical backbone that allows career counselors and directors to focus on higher-level advising and strategy.

Chancellors serve as the chief executive of a university or university system, accountable to a governing board for the institution's academic quality, financial health, strategic direction, and public reputation. In multi-campus systems, the Chancellor oversees campus presidents and sets system-wide policy; at single institutions, the Chancellor is the university's highest academic and administrative officer.

Chemistry Lab Instructors teach hands-on laboratory sections that accompany general, organic, and analytical chemistry courses at community colleges and universities. They prepare chemical reagents, guide students through experimental procedures, enforce rigorous safety protocols, assess lab reports and technique, and maintain the laboratory environment required for safe, effective chemistry education.

Chemistry Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses across chemical disciplines while conducting original research, supervising graduate students, and securing external funding for their research programs. They work in sub-specialties including organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and computational chemistry, contributing to both scientific knowledge and the training of the next generation of chemists.

Chemistry Research Assistants support faculty and principal investigators by conducting experiments, maintaining laboratory equipment, preparing reagents, and recording data in academic or industrial research settings. They work on projects ranging from organic synthesis to analytical chemistry, contributing to publications, grants, and ongoing lab operations under the supervision of senior researchers.

Chemistry Teachers instruct students in the principles of chemistry — from atomic structure and chemical reactions to stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and organic chemistry — in secondary schools and community colleges. They design lessons and labs, assess student understanding, maintain lab safety, and help students build scientific reasoning skills that extend far beyond chemistry itself.

Chemistry Teaching Assistants — usually graduate students — lead undergraduate laboratory sections, run recitation sessions, grade problem sets and lab reports, and hold office hours to help students work through difficult material. The role balances teaching responsibilities with the TA's own graduate coursework and research obligations, and it provides essential funding and pedagogical experience for students pursuing academic careers.

A Child Care Director is the manager in charge of a licensed child care center, preschool or early learning program. The director hires and supervises teachers, plans the program, keeps the center inside state licensing rules, sets and tracks the budget, and runs enrollment and family relations. The largest share of these jobs is in child daycare services, with others in religious and civic organizations and in private and public schools. The federal occupation that matches this role, Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare, had a median wage of $59,300 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $38,580 and the 90th at $98,240.

Child Care Providers care for young children in center-based settings, family child care homes, or private households — meeting their physical, social, and developmental needs through safe, nurturing, and age-appropriate activities. They are responsible for children's daily routines, developmental observation, family communication, and maintaining safe environments under licensing standards.

Children’s Librarians develop and deliver programs, collections, and services tailored to the developmental needs of children from birth through approximately age 12. Working primarily in public libraries or school library systems, they lead storytime programs, curate children’s collections, support early literacy, help young readers find books they love, and serve as a resource for parents and educators navigating children’s reading and learning development. They partner with schools, daycares, and pediatric offices to extend early literacy outreach beyond the library building. They may also field parent questions about AI tools in library catalogs and discovery platforms.

Classroom Aides — also called instructional aides, paraprofessionals, or teaching assistants — support lead teachers in K–12 classrooms by working with individual students and small groups, implementing lesson activities, assisting students with disabilities, and managing classroom logistics. They work under the direction of certified teachers and play a direct role in student learning and safety throughout the school day.

College Counselors guide high school students through every stage of the college admissions process — from exploring colleges and crafting applications to navigating financial aid and making enrollment decisions. Working in high schools, college prep programs, or independent practices, they advise students on college fit, application strategy, essay development, and scholarship opportunities while managing the administrative demands of the application season.

College Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses, conduct original research, advise students, and contribute to their institution through committee work and service. At research universities, the role splits between teaching and scholarship; at teaching-focused liberal arts colleges and community colleges, instruction takes precedence. The path to a tenure-track position involves years of graduate training, postdoctoral work in many fields, and an intensely competitive job market.

Communications Professors teach courses in media studies, journalism, public relations, advertising, digital media, interpersonal communication, or rhetorical theory at colleges and universities. They combine classroom instruction with scholarly research or professional practice, mentor students entering media and communications careers, and contribute to departmental governance and accreditation.

Communications Research Assistants support faculty, think tanks, PR firms, and media organizations by gathering data, conducting surveys, coding content, reviewing literature, and preparing research reports. The role bridges academic scholarship and applied communication work, providing essential analytical and logistical support to research programs studying media effects, public opinion, strategic communication, and organizational behavior.

Community College Instructors teach courses at two-year public institutions serving a broad, diverse student population — including recent high school graduates, working adults, career changers, and students preparing to transfer to four-year programs. They are primarily teachers, with lighter research expectations than university faculty, and they often teach in fields with strong occupational and vocational applications.

Community College Professors hold tenure-track or tenured faculty positions at two-year public institutions, teaching a high course load with minimal research expectations. They serve a diverse student population spanning recent graduates, working adults, and career changers, and they contribute to curriculum development, student advising, and institutional governance. The role prioritizes teaching quality and student success over scholarly publication.

Community Education Coordinators plan, promote, and manage non-credit educational programs offered by school districts, community colleges, parks and recreation departments, and nonprofit organizations. They recruit instructors, schedule courses, market programs to the public, process registrations, and evaluate outcomes — connecting community members of all ages and backgrounds with learning opportunities outside the traditional academic pipeline.

Community Health Educators design, implement, and evaluate health education programs that help individuals and communities make informed decisions about their health. Working at hospitals, schools, public health departments, and nonprofits, they provide workshops, develop materials, facilitate support groups, and coordinate outreach efforts targeting nutrition, chronic disease prevention, substance use, mental health, sexual health, and other public health priorities.

A Community School Coordinator runs the community school strategy at a single K-12 building, working beside the principal to find out what keeps students from learning and then bringing in the health, social service, family and extended-learning partners who can address it. The job sits between the school and its partner agencies: coordinators run referral teams, write implementation plans, broker agreements with nonprofits and report results to funders. BLS does not track the title separately. In its closest occupation, Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other, the elementary and secondary schools row for May 2025 runs from $33,060 at the 10th percentile to $94,270 at the 90th, with a $56,960 median.

Computer Lab Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of shared computing facilities at schools, colleges, libraries, and training centers — maintaining hardware and software, managing user access, enforcing lab policies, assisting students and staff with technical issues, and coordinating with IT departments on upgrades and repairs. They ensure that computing resources are available, functional, and appropriately maintained for the users who depend on them.

Computer Science Assistant Professors are early-career faculty members on the tenure track at universities and colleges, responsible for teaching courses across the CS curriculum, conducting research and publishing in peer-reviewed venues, advising undergraduate and graduate students, and contributing to departmental governance. The position typically spans 5–7 years before tenure review determines long-term faculty status.

Computer Science Lab Instructors lead the hands-on laboratory sections of undergraduate CS courses, guiding students through programming assignments, debugging exercises, and applied projects that reinforce lecture content. Working alongside or independently from the course professor, they explain concepts, assist with stuck code, assess lab work, and create the active learning environment where CS skills are actually developed.

Computer Science Professors teach advanced undergraduate and graduate courses, lead active research programs, advise PhD students, pursue external grant funding, and shape CS department strategy and curriculum. At research universities, the role demands sustained publication productivity and grant competitiveness; at teaching-focused institutions, the emphasis shifts toward undergraduate instruction, curriculum leadership, and student mentorship.

Computer Science Research Assistants support faculty researchers by implementing systems, running experiments, analyzing data, reviewing literature, and contributing to the development and publication of research findings. At universities, the role is typically filled by graduate students funded through research grants; in industry research labs and government agencies, it may be a standalone entry-level position for bachelor's or master's graduates building research experience.

Computer Science Teachers instruct middle and high school students in programming, computational thinking, data structures, cybersecurity, and the social impacts of technology. They develop lesson plans and hands-on projects, assess student learning, prepare AP CSA and AP CSP students for College Board exams, and advocate for CS education as a core academic discipline in schools where it's still gaining recognition.

Computer Science Teaching Assistants — most commonly graduate students in CS programs — lead discussion sections, hold office hours, grade assignments, and assist with CS lab instruction for introductory through advanced undergraduate courses. The role provides essential instructional support for large enrollment CS courses and gives graduate students valuable pedagogical experience that is increasingly expected in both academic and industry careers.

Continuing Education Coordinators develop, schedule, and administer non-credit professional development and personal enrichment programs at community colleges, universities, hospitals, associations, and corporate training departments. They manage course scheduling, instructor contracts, registration logistics, marketing, budget tracking, and participant communications — keeping the programs running smoothly for the working adults and professionals who depend on them for career advancement.

Continuing Education Instructors design and deliver non-credit courses, workshops, and professional development programs for adult learners seeking new skills, career advancement, or personal enrichment. They work at community colleges, corporate training departments, workforce development centers, and online platforms, adapting content to learners who balance jobs and family alongside education.

Corporate Trainers design, develop, and deliver learning programs that build employee skills, improve performance, and support organizational goals. They work across onboarding, technical skills, compliance, leadership development, and soft skills, using classroom instruction, e-learning, coaching, and blended approaches to reach employees at every level of the organization.

Counselors support individuals navigating personal, academic, career, and mental health challenges through one-on-one sessions, group work, and crisis intervention. Depending on specialization, they work in schools, colleges, community agencies, rehabilitation programs, and substance abuse treatment centers, applying evidence-based therapeutic techniques within appropriate scope of practice boundaries.

Counselor Assistants support licensed counselors by handling administrative tasks, providing structured client support, and facilitating access to services. They work in school counseling offices, mental health agencies, substance abuse treatment programs, and rehabilitation centers, allowing licensed counselors to focus on clinical work while ensuring clients receive timely assistance.

Counselors in higher education support college and university students through mental health services, academic advising, career counseling, and personal development programs. They staff counseling centers, academic advising offices, and career services departments, providing individual appointments, crisis support, outreach programming, and group workshops to a diverse student population.

Creative Writing Professors teach undergraduate and graduate fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or screenwriting courses, mentor student writers through individual and workshop feedback, and contribute to the literary and academic life of their departments. They typically hold an MFA or PhD in creative writing and maintain an active publishing record alongside their teaching responsibilities.

Creative Writing Teachers teach students the craft of storytelling, poetry, personal narrative, and other literary forms through structured instruction, writing workshops, and individualized feedback. They work in middle and high schools, community writing programs, after-school settings, and summer institutes, developing student voice and written communication skills alongside the technical elements of craft.

Creative Writing Teaching Assistants are graduate students — typically in MFA or PhD programs — who assist professors in delivering undergraduate creative writing courses while developing their own pedagogy. They lead discussion sections, respond to student manuscripts, grade assignments, and often teach their own introductory workshops under faculty supervision as part of their graduate funding package.

Curriculum Assistants support curriculum directors, instructional coaches, and content specialists by researching instructional resources, helping develop and format educational materials, tracking implementation data, and coordinating professional development logistics. They work at school district curriculum offices, educational publishers, and nonprofits that create instructional programs.

A curriculum coordinator is the district educator who decides, with teachers and principals, which instructional materials a subject uses, how they line up with state standards, and whether they are working. A typical coordinator works in a school district central office, reports to a director of curriculum and instruction or an assistant superintendent, and owns one content area or grade band. The job mixes adoption committees, professional development, classroom observation and assessment analysis. Federal wage data file it under instructional coordinators, where the May 2025 median was $77,440, with the 10th percentile at $47,980 and the 90th at $121,670.

Curriculum Coordinators in higher education manage academic program development, course approval processes, accreditation documentation, and instructional quality review at colleges and universities. They work with faculty, deans, registrars, and accreditation bodies to ensure that degree programs meet institutional standards, regulatory requirements, and student learning outcome goals.

Curriculum Developers research, design, and build educational programs, course materials, and instructional resources for schools, colleges, training organizations, and educational publishers. They apply instructional design principles, learning science research, and subject matter expertise to create content that is pedagogically sound, standards-aligned, and engaging for target learners.

Curriculum Writers produce the lesson plans, unit guides, student texts, assessment items, and teacher resources that form the written backbone of educational programs. They work for educational publishers, school districts, nonprofits, and ed-tech companies, translating instructional design frameworks into classroom-ready written materials that teachers can use and students can learn from.

Dance Professors teach studio technique, choreography, dance history, and somatic practices at universities, conservatories, and liberal arts colleges. They maintain active artistic practices alongside teaching responsibilities, mentor student choreographers and performers, and contribute to department productions, curriculum development, and the broader dance scholarship and performance community.

Dance Teaching Assistants are graduate students — typically in MFA or BFA programs — who assist dance faculty by teaching technique sections, supporting rehearsals, and managing administrative aspects of studio courses. The position provides tuition support and professional teaching experience as part of a graduate education funding package.

Daycare Workers care for infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children in licensed child care centers, providing supervision, nurturing interaction, age-appropriate learning activities, and basic care needs throughout the day. They work under the supervision of center directors and lead teachers, implementing daily schedules that balance structured activities with free play, meals, and rest.

Deans provide senior academic or administrative leadership within a college, school, or major division of a university. Academic deans oversee faculty, curriculum, budgets, and strategic direction for their unit; student affairs deans lead divisions responsible for student services, housing, wellness, and campus life. Both roles require managing large, complex organizations within shared governance structures.

Dean Assistants provide direct administrative and operational support to academic or student affairs deans in colleges and universities. They manage the dean's calendar and communications, coordinate meetings and events, support budget tracking, prepare reports and presentations, and serve as the primary liaison between the dean's office and faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.

The Dean of Admissions leads the student enrollment function at a college or university, overseeing recruitment strategy, application review processes, yield efforts, and the policies that determine who gains admission. They manage admissions staff, travel budgets, and partner closely with financial aid to meet institutional enrollment and net revenue goals.

The Dean of Student Life leads the division or department responsible for student experience outside the classroom — including student activities, housing, orientation, student government, diversity and inclusion programming, wellness, and conduct. They create conditions for student development, manage crises, and advocate for student needs within the institution's administrative structure.

The Dean of Students serves as a senior advocate and resource for students at a college or university, overseeing student welfare, crisis support, conduct administration, and often broader student services programs. The Dean of Students is a key point of contact when students face academic, medical, or personal difficulty, and functions as the institutional voice for student concerns in administrative decision-making, working alongside counseling, disability services, and academic advising to keep struggling students enrolled and supported. The role combines case management, conduct administration, and policy work, and it typically reports to a Vice President for Student Affairs at larger institutions or directly to the president at smaller colleges.

A department chair is a faculty member appointed to run an academic department at a college or university, sitting between the department's professors and the dean. The chair sets teaching assignments, manages the budget, leads faculty hiring and evaluation, and keeps the curriculum current while, in most instances, holding tenure in the same department. BLS publishes no wage for the title; the nearest occupation, Education Administrators, Postsecondary, paid $64,560 at the 10th percentile, $104,590 at the median and $215,620 at the 90th in May 2025. Because chairs remain faculty, their pay can combine a faculty salary with an administrative stipend.

Development Coordinators support fundraising and donor relations operations at educational institutions and nonprofits by managing donor databases, coordinating events, preparing gift processing and acknowledgment workflows, and assisting major gift officers with research and stewardship activities. They are the operational backbone of development offices that range from small nonprofit fundraising teams to large university advancement shops.

Development Officers build relationships with individual donors, alumni, foundations, and corporations to generate philanthropic support for educational institutions and nonprofit organizations. They manage a portfolio of prospects, conduct cultivation and solicitation meetings, and steward donors after gifts are made, working toward annual and campaign fundraising goals.

Digital Arts Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in digital imaging, animation, interactive media, motion graphics, game design, or digital fabrication at art schools, design programs, and university departments. They combine studio teaching, critique, and creative research while maintaining active professional practices that keep their work current in a field that changes rapidly.

A Director of Academic Affairs runs the machinery behind a college's degrees: curriculum approval, the academic catalog, program review, accreditation evidence and the policies that govern grading, credit and appeals. The job usually reports to a provost or vice president of academic affairs and works across deans, department chairs and the registrar. BLS groups it with postsecondary education administrators, whose median annual wage was $104,590 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $64,560 and the 90th at $215,620. Where a given job lands in that range depends on the institution and the scope of the portfolio, from a small college's one-person academic office to a university-wide role.

A Director of Academic Support Services leads the departments and programs that help students stay enrolled and succeed academically — tutoring centers, supplemental instruction, writing centers, learning disability accommodations, and early-alert intervention programs. They manage staff, build partnerships with faculty and academic departments, and use data to identify students at risk before they disengage or withdraw.

A Director of Admissions leads the team responsible for recruiting and enrolling the incoming class at a college or university. They set recruitment strategy, manage counselor territories, oversee application review processes, and partner with financial aid and marketing to hit enrollment and net tuition revenue targets. The role is simultaneously a marketing, data analytics, and student services leadership position.

A Director of Alumni Relations builds and maintains the relationship between an educational institution and its graduates. They design engagement programs, manage alumni volunteer networks, support fundraising efforts, and create opportunities for alumni to stay connected to the institution and to each other. The role sits within the advancement or development division and links alumni engagement directly to philanthropic giving.

A Director of Athletics oversees all competitive sports programs at an educational institution — managing coaches, athletic facilities, budgets, compliance requirements, and the student-athlete experience. At the college level they are responsible for NCAA or NAIA rules compliance, coach hiring and retention, media and revenue operations, and representing the athletics department to the president, board, and external stakeholders.

A Director of Career Services leads the office that prepares students for employment and connects them with job and internship opportunities. They manage career coaches and advisors, build employer partnerships, design career programming, and track graduate employment outcomes that matter to accreditors and prospective students. The role requires fluency in both student development and employer relationship management.

A Director of Community Relations manages an educational institution's relationships with the surrounding community — local governments, businesses, nonprofits, families, and civic organizations. They build partnerships, communicate institutional priorities to community stakeholders, coordinate volunteer and service-learning programs, and manage the public-facing reputation of the institution outside formal media channels.

A Director of Continuing Education leads the unit responsible for non-credit, professional development, workforce training, and lifelong learning programs at a college, university, or K-12 district. They develop and launch new programs in response to employer and community demand, manage instructors and program staff, and operate the division as a revenue-generating enterprise with its own enrollment and financial targets.

A Director of Development leads the philanthropic fundraising operation for an educational institution or one of its schools, colleges, or programs. They manage a portfolio of major gift prospects, supervise development staff, design campaigns and giving programs, and work with advancement leadership to meet annual and long-term fundraising goals. The role is fundamentally about building relationships that convert into significant financial support.

A Director of Disability Services ensures that students, employees, and visitors with disabilities have equal access to educational programs, services, and facilities. They oversee the accommodation review and approval process, manage disability services staff, coordinate with faculty and departments on accommodation implementation, and ensure the institution maintains compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

A Director of Distance Learning oversees the development, delivery, and quality assurance of online and hybrid educational programs at a college or university. They manage instructional design staff, ensure regulatory compliance for distance education, support faculty in online course design, and drive enrollment and student success outcomes across the institution's distributed learning portfolio.

A Director of Diversity and Inclusion develops and leads programs that support equitable participation, belonging, and success for students, faculty, and staff across lines of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. They advise institutional leadership on equity strategy, manage DEI staff and programming, and often coordinate institutional responses to bias incidents and campus climate concerns.

A Director of Education provides strategic and operational leadership for educational programs within a school, nonprofit organization, museum, library, healthcare system, or government agency. They design and oversee curricula, supervise instructional staff, ensure program quality, manage budgets, and measure outcomes — adapting to the specific mission and learner population of the institution they serve.

A Director of Educational Technology leads the selection, implementation, and effective use of technology tools that support teaching and learning across a school district or higher education institution. They manage technology coaches and instructional technology staff, guide platform selection and procurement decisions, oversee digital equity programs, and help faculty and teachers integrate technology in ways that improve student outcomes rather than merely digitizing existing practices.

A Director of Enrollment Management oversees the integrated strategy for recruiting, enrolling, and retaining students at a college or university. They coordinate admissions, financial aid, and retention functions to optimize class composition, net tuition revenue, and student persistence. The role is deeply data-driven and requires business acumen as much as educational expertise.

A Director of Faculty Development leads the center, office, or program that supports faculty growth as teachers, scholars, and academic professionals. They design and deliver professional development programs, provide individual teaching consultation, build communities of practice among faculty, and support institutional priorities like online learning transitions, inclusive pedagogy, and evidence-based teaching practices.

A Director of Financial Aid manages the office responsible for awarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid to students. They ensure compliance with Title IV federal regulations, develop aid packaging policies that balance student access with institutional net revenue goals, supervise aid counselors, and serve as the primary liaison between the institution and the U.S. Department of Education on financial aid matters.

A Director of Graduate Studies oversees the academic quality, student experience, and administrative functions of graduate programs within a department, school, or college. They manage graduate admissions, advise doctoral and master's students, coordinate with the graduate school on policy compliance, and represent graduate program interests to academic leadership. The role is often held by a faculty member with an administrative appointment.

A Director of Institutional Advancement leads the combined fundraising, alumni relations, and communications functions that build an educational institution's philanthropic relationships and public presence. They oversee development staff, design campaign strategies, coordinate alumni programming, and direct institutional communications — integrating these functions to generate philanthropic support and strengthen the institution's reputation.

A Director of Institutional Research leads the office responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data that supports institutional planning, accreditation compliance, and decision-making. They manage the institution's official data on enrollment, retention, graduation, faculty, finances, and program outcomes, and respond to internal data requests from leadership alongside mandatory external reporting to federal agencies, accreditors, and state boards.

A Director of International Programs oversees an educational institution's international education infrastructure — study abroad and exchange programs, international student recruitment and support services, global partnerships, and international student and scholar visa compliance. They connect domestic students to global learning opportunities while ensuring that international students have the support they need to succeed academically and comply with immigration requirements.

A Director of International Studies provides academic and administrative leadership for an interdisciplinary international studies or global affairs program at a college or university. They oversee curriculum design, hire and coordinate faculty, manage student advising for the major and minor, build study abroad and experiential learning components, and maintain relationships with partner institutions globally.

A Director of Learning is the education leader who sets how a school district, college or education organization designs, delivers and measures learning, for students, for staff or both. In a K-12 district the job may be titled director of teaching and learning and sit in the central office under an assistant superintendent; on a campus or at a training provider it may run faculty and staff development. O*NET lists the title under training and development managers. In the educational services industry, that occupation had a May 2025 median of $114,970, with the 10th percentile at $75,900 and the 90th at $178,130.

A Director of Learning Support Services oversees the programs, staff, and resources that help students with learning differences, academic challenges, and skill gaps succeed in educational settings. They manage tutoring services, reading and math intervention programs, special learning support, and early identification systems — ensuring that struggling students receive targeted help before they fall too far behind.

Directors of Library Services lead the strategic and operational management of library systems at school districts, colleges, or universities. They oversee collections, staff, budgets, technology platforms, and community programming — connecting patrons with information resources while aligning library services to institutional learning goals.

Directors of Marketing and Communications at educational institutions lead brand strategy, enrollment marketing, media relations, and digital presence. They translate institutional priorities into communications campaigns that attract prospective students, engage current families, and maintain the institution's reputation with stakeholders ranging from alumni to accreditors.

Directors of Online Learning build and manage the infrastructure, quality standards, and faculty development systems that make online and hybrid education effective. They oversee learning management systems, instructional design teams, accessibility compliance, and the policies that govern how courses are developed, taught, and evaluated at a distance.

Directors of Professional Education design, market, and manage continuing education and certificate programs for working adults and professional audiences. They build revenue-generating program portfolios, manage corporate training partnerships, oversee instructors, and align offerings with licensure requirements and workforce development needs.

Directors of Residence Life oversee campus housing programs, residential education, and the staff who support students living on campus. They manage residential advisors and professional housing staff, develop programming that promotes student success, and serve as first responders to crises affecting residential students — from mental health emergencies to facilities failures.

Directors of Sponsored Research lead the office that manages the lifecycle of externally funded grants and contracts at colleges and universities — from pre-award proposal support to post-award compliance and financial reporting. They ensure faculty researchers meet federal, state, and sponsor requirements while facilitating the administrative side of research funding that supports the institution's scholarly mission.

Directors of Student Activities oversee the co-curricular life of a campus — student organizations, campus programming, leadership development, and the student government support function. They build engagement opportunities that complement academic learning, develop student leaders, and manage the financial and operational infrastructure that hundreds of student groups depend on.

Directors of Student Affairs oversee the functions that support student wellbeing, development, and success outside the classroom — including conduct, counseling coordination, disability services, diversity programs, and student life. They translate institutional values into policies and programs that affect how students experience campus life from orientation through graduation.

Directors of Student Development design and oversee programs that build students' leadership skills, civic engagement, identity, and personal growth alongside their academic experience. They manage co-curricular development frameworks, lead advising and coaching programs, and coordinate the assessment systems that demonstrate how student development work contributes to retention and graduation outcomes.

A Director of Student Life leads the office that runs student organizations, student government advising, campus programming and orientation at a college or university, and at some independent boarding schools. The role sits inside student affairs, reports to a dean of students or vice president, and supervises coordinators and student staff. The job mixes programming and advising with compliance work tied to campus safety reporting. BLS reports that postsecondary education administrators at colleges, universities and professional schools earned a median of $105,010 in May 2025, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $64,700 and $220,560.

A Director of Student Services runs the offices that keep enrolled students moving toward a credential: academic advising, orientation, disability services, early-alert outreach and, on many campuses, federally funded programs such as TRIO Student Support Services. At a college the director usually reports to a dean of students or a vice president for student affairs; in a K-12 district the same title can cover counseling, health services and Section 504 plans. BLS counts the college version among postsecondary education administrators, who earned a median of $104,590 in May 2025, with the 10th to 90th percentile spanning $64,560 to $215,620.

Directors of Study Abroad lead the office responsible for sending students to international academic programs and managing the institutional, financial, and safety infrastructure those programs require. They develop program portfolios, negotiate institutional agreements, advise students, manage crises abroad, and work to expand participation beyond the students who traditionally study internationally.

Directors of Teacher Certification oversee the educator preparation programs, student teaching placements, and state licensure processes that take undergraduate and graduate candidates from coursework through certification as licensed classroom teachers. They manage accreditation compliance, field experience partnerships, and the data systems that demonstrate program effectiveness to state education agencies.

Directors of Teacher Education provide academic and administrative leadership for undergraduate and graduate educator preparation programs. They oversee curriculum development, faculty coordination, program accreditation, and the strategic direction of teacher education at their institution — working to ensure that program graduates are prepared to teach effectively in diverse classroom settings.

Distance Education Coordinators support the operational, technical, and instructional aspects of online and hybrid course delivery at colleges and universities. They assist faculty with LMS course setup, ensure courses meet accessibility and quality standards, support students with technical issues, and coordinate the administrative workflows that keep distance education programs running.

Distance Education Instructional Designers partner with faculty to design, build, and improve online and hybrid courses. They translate course content and learning objectives into effective digital learning experiences — structuring modules, developing assessments, creating multimedia content, and ensuring courses are accessible and pedagogically sound for remote learners.

Distance Education Professors design and teach courses delivered online or in hybrid formats, managing the unique demands of asynchronous and synchronous instruction — from building clear LMS course structures and engaging video content to fostering meaningful student discussion without real-time classroom presence. The role combines subject matter expertise with the specific pedagogical skills that effective online teaching requires.

A District AI Coordinator is the school district employee who owns artificial intelligence across a K-12 system: the board policy on AI use, staff and student guidance, professional learning for teachers, and the review that decides which AI tools may touch student data. The job can sit in the teaching and learning or instructional technology office, working alongside the chief technology officer, curriculum leaders and district counsel. BLS does not track the title separately; the closest occupation, instructional coordinators in elementary and secondary schools, earned between $54,290 and $124,940 in May 2025, with a median of $81,050.

Drama Professors teach theatre history, dramatic theory, acting, directing, playwriting, and production courses at colleges and universities. They combine classroom instruction with active engagement in the production life of their department — directing faculty productions, mentoring student performers and designers, and maintaining professional practice that informs their teaching.

Drama Teachers instruct middle and high school students in acting, theatre history, stagecraft, and performance — building skills in voice, movement, scene study, and character work while directing productions that bring the curriculum to life on stage. They manage the practical, logistical, and artistic dimensions of running a school theatre program alongside daily classroom teaching.

An early childhood educator teaches and cares for children from infancy until they enter kindergarten, running a classroom in a child care center, a community preschool, a faith-based program or a public school pre-K. The job blends instruction with care: planning play-based activities, tracking each child's development, keeping groups safe under state licensing rules and working closely with families. BLS groups this work under preschool teachers, whose median wage was $38,140 in May 2025, with the lowest-paid tenth earning under $28,990 and the top tenth above $61,390. Lead teachers plan the curriculum for a room; assistants share the care and teaching under their direction.

An Early Childhood Teacher leads a classroom of children younger than 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten, planning play-based lessons, observing and recording each child's progress, and keeping families informed. The job sits in child care centers, Head Start programs, public school pre-K rooms and faith-based preschools, and BLS counts it within its preschool teacher occupation. In May 2025 that occupation's median wage was $38,140, with the 10th percentile at $28,990 and the 90th at $61,390. Requirements and pay scales shift with the setting, from a small private center to a public school district.

Economics Assistant Professors hold tenure-track positions at colleges and universities, building research programs in their area of specialization while teaching undergraduate and graduate economics courses. The tenure clock — typically six years — structures the early career around producing peer-reviewed publications at a rate and in journals that meet departmental standards for promotion and tenure.

Economics Professors at the associate and full professor level hold tenured appointments at colleges and universities, teaching undergraduate and graduate economics courses while leading ongoing research programs. Tenure provides job security and academic freedom; it also brings expanded service responsibilities, graduate student advising, and expectations to contribute to the field through publication, conference engagement, and public commentary.

Education Administrators manage the operational, academic, and organizational functions of schools, colleges, and educational programs. Depending on the level and setting, they oversee curriculum, faculty and staff, budgets, policy compliance, student services, and community relations — translating educational mission into day-to-day institutional performance.

An Education Coordinator runs the operational side of a learning program: schedules, enrollment, instructor support, records and the compliance files that accreditors, funders and regulators review. The title turns up in Head Start and child care organizations, hospital continuing education offices, school districts, museums and corporate training teams, one level below an education manager or director. BLS does not track the title on its own; O*NET lists it as a reported title for preschool and childcare education administrators, where the May 2025 BLS wage survey shows a $59,300 median, with $38,580 at the 10th percentile and $98,240 at the 90th percentile.

Education Directors lead educational programs, departments, or divisions — setting the strategic direction for learning initiatives, managing staff and budgets, overseeing program quality, and representing education functions to leadership and funders. The title spans a wide range of contexts: district curriculum directors, nonprofit education program directors, museum or zoo education leaders, and organizational training directors.

An Education Forward Deployed Engineer is a software engineer placed with a school district, college or university for a defined engagement and gets an AI or edtech product working inside that institution's systems. The engineer works for the vendor or for an internal deployment team and moves to the next account once the integration is stable and handed off. Daily work spans LMS integrations, roster and gradebook data, student privacy terms and faculty workshops. Pay is benchmarked to software developers, whose May 2025 BLS wages put half the field above $135,980, with $82,460 marking the 10th percentile and $214,670 the 90th; BLS does not count this title on its own.

Education Professors teach undergraduate and graduate students in teacher preparation programs, educational leadership, and curriculum theory. They conduct research on learning and teaching practices, advise student teachers, serve on accreditation committees, and prepare the next generation of K–12 educators and school administrators.

An Education Program Coordinator runs the operating side of an education program: registrations, schedules, instructor hiring, budgets, records and the reports a funder or accreditor expects. The job sits in school districts, state education agencies, college continuing-education units, museums and education nonprofits, reporting to a program manager or director. O*NET lists the title under Instructional Coordinators, whose May 2025 BLS pay ran from $47,980 at the 10th percentile to $121,670 at the 90th, with a $77,440 median. Public classifications for the title range from non-exempt support jobs to exempt professional posts, so read the pay grade along with the title.

Education Program Managers lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs at nonprofit organizations, school districts, higher education institutions, and government agencies. They own program budgets, manage coordinators and instructors, report to funders, and are accountable for participant outcomes and program sustainability.

Education Research Coordinators support the design, implementation, and analysis of research studies in educational settings. They manage IRB protocols, recruit and consent participants, collect and clean data, assist with literature reviews, and coordinate fieldwork at schools and districts — providing the operational infrastructure that makes funded research possible.

An education specialist is the person a school district, state education agency or education organization relies on to improve teaching beyond a single classroom: building curriculum, coaching teachers, choosing instructional materials and keeping state and federal programs on track. A specialist's portfolio is defined by a focus area, such as literacy, math, special education or English learners. Federal data files the title under instructional coordinators, whose median wage was $77,440 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $47,980 and the 90th at $121,670. The role sits between school buildings and central-office leadership.

Education Teaching Assistants — also called paraprofessionals or instructional aides — support classroom teachers in K–12 schools by working directly with students individually and in small groups, assisting with instruction, managing classroom routines, and providing additional support to students with disabilities or other learning needs. They are an essential part of the instructional team, particularly in inclusion classrooms and special education settings.

Education Technicians provide technical and instructional support in school and educational settings, primarily assisting with technology infrastructure, audiovisual equipment, instructional materials, and classroom systems. They help teachers effectively use educational tools, troubleshoot device and software issues, maintain lab environments, and ensure that the technical side of instruction doesn't become a barrier to learning.

Education Writers produce instructional content for K–12 curricula, textbooks, assessment items, online learning platforms, teacher guides, and educational publications. They translate subject-matter expertise and pedagogical research into clear, grade-appropriate learning materials that teachers can use and students can engage with, working for publishers, edtech companies, nonprofits, and school districts.

An educational consultant is an outside adviser hired to fix a specific problem in how students are taught, placed or served. Institutional consultants work for schools, districts, state agencies and nonprofits on curriculum, instruction, school improvement and staff coaching; independent consultants work for families on college, boarding school, graduate school and therapeutic placements. Some are employees of firms or education agencies, others run their own practices. For salaried roles, the closest federal wage data is the Instructional Coordinators occupation, which paid a median of $77,440 in May 2025, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $47,980 and $121,670.

Educational Diagnosticians conduct comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations to identify students with disabilities and determine eligibility for special education services. They administer and interpret cognitive, academic, and behavioral assessments, write evaluation reports, participate in IEP meetings, and advise teachers and families on how to support students' learning needs.

An educational psychologist applies the science of learning, motivation and development to real students and school systems. In schools, that means evaluating students for learning and behavioral needs, advising teachers, and serving on special education teams in public districts and charter networks. Others do research and teaching in university education and psychology departments, testing organizations and state agencies. BLS groups the practice side with school psychologists, whose May 2025 median wage was $95,990, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $63,070 and $142,330.

Educational Researchers design and conduct studies that examine how students learn, how instructional practices affect outcomes, and how policy decisions shape educational systems. Working in universities, think tanks, consulting firms, and government agencies, they apply quantitative and qualitative research methods to generate evidence that informs curriculum design, teacher preparation, and education policy.

Educational Therapists provide specialized one-on-one instruction to individuals — primarily children and adolescents — with learning disabilities, attention disorders, and other challenges that interfere with academic performance. Combining knowledge of how the brain processes information with structured remediation techniques, they build foundational academic and executive function skills that classroom instruction alone hasn't been able to establish.

Electrical Engineering Assistant Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses, build independent research programs, mentor doctoral students, and pursue external funding at universities and engineering schools. The tenure-track assistant professor period — typically six years — is defined by establishing a research lab, publishing in top venues, teaching effectively, and demonstrating the national reputation that tenure review requires.

Elementary Education Coordinators oversee the curriculum, instruction, and professional development for K–5 schools or grade bands within a school district. They support teachers in implementing high-quality instructional materials, analyze student achievement data, lead professional learning communities, and work with building principals to improve instructional effectiveness across elementary schools.

An Elementary Principal is the chief administrator of a school that serves kindergarten through the upper elementary grades, answering to a district superintendent or, in a private school, to a head of school or board. The job covers hiring and evaluating teachers, student safety and discipline, the building budget, special education meetings and the school's reading and math results. BLS counts the role within Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary, where the May 2025 median wage was $105,870, with the 10th percentile at $76,280 and the 90th at $167,770. Public school principals need a state administrator license, and BLS says most states require a master's degree for it.

An elementary school teacher instructs a single class of young children across reading, writing, math, science and social studies, usually in a public or private elementary school. The job combines lesson planning, small-group instruction, ongoing assessment, classroom management and regular contact with families, and it requires a bachelor's degree plus a state teaching license for public school work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $63,970 for elementary school teachers, except special education, in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $47,960 and the 90th at $104,340. About 1,388,390 people held the job.

Engineering Lab Instructors teach hands-on laboratory and design courses in university and college engineering programs. They guide students through experimental procedures, instrumentation use, data collection, and engineering design challenges — providing the practical counterpart to lecture-based engineering content in electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, and related disciplines.

Engineering Professors teach undergraduate and graduate engineering courses, lead independent research programs, mentor doctoral students, pursue external funding, and contribute to their departments through curriculum development and service. Tenure-track positions require building a nationally recognized research program alongside sustained teaching performance over a six-year probationary period.

Engineering Research Assistants support faculty and senior researchers in conducting engineering experiments, building prototypes, operating laboratory equipment, collecting and analyzing data, and maintaining research facilities. They are found in university engineering departments, national laboratories, and corporate R&D centers, providing the technical execution capacity that makes funded research projects possible.

Engineering Teaching Assistants are graduate students who support undergraduate engineering instruction by leading recitation sections, grading problem sets and exams, holding office hours, teaching laboratory sections, and assisting professors with course logistics. TA positions provide financial support for graduate education while developing the pedagogical skills graduate students will need if they pursue academic careers.

ESL Coordinators oversee English as a Second Language programs in school districts, managing assessment and placement of English language learners, ensuring compliance with federal and state Title III requirements, supporting ELL teachers and staff, and building the instructional capacity to serve students whose home language is not English.

ESL Program Managers oversee the design, implementation, staffing, and evaluation of English as a Second Language programs at adult education centers, community colleges, nonprofits, workforce development organizations, and corporate training settings. They hire and supervise instructors, manage budgets, report to funders, and ensure that programs produce measurable gains in English language proficiency for adult learners.

ESL Teachers provide direct English language instruction to students for whom English is not a first language, developing their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills while supporting academic content access and cultural adjustment. They work in K–12 schools, adult education centers, community colleges, and community organizations, serving one of the most diverse and motivated student populations in education.

English Composition Instructors teach foundational college writing courses at community colleges, four-year universities, and technical institutions. They guide students through the writing process — thesis development, argumentation, research, revision, and academic style — and provide the intensive feedback on drafts that develops writing competency in students who arrive with widely varying preparation.

English Lab Instructors guide students through writing, grammar, and reading comprehension in a structured lab setting, typically at community colleges or university writing centers. They provide individualized feedback on drafts, facilitate peer review sessions, and help students develop the language skills needed to succeed in college-level coursework.

English Language Learner Coordinators manage ELL programs at the district or school level, overseeing identification of eligible students, placement testing, instructional services, and compliance with federal Title III requirements. They work at the intersection of curriculum, data, community outreach, and staff development to ensure students who are learning English receive legally required and educationally sound support.

English Language Learner Specialists provide direct language instruction and academic support to K-12 students who are acquiring English as an additional language. Working within or alongside classroom settings, they develop students' listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English while helping them access grade-level content in all subjects.

English Literature Instructors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in fiction, poetry, drama, and literary theory at colleges and universities. They design syllabi, lead class discussions, assess student writing, conduct original research, and contribute to departmental curriculum. Whether in a full-time lecturer role or on the tenure track, they help students develop the critical reading and writing skills that underpin a liberal arts education.

English Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in literature, writing, and language while pursuing original scholarly research and contributing to department governance. They occupy positions ranging from entry-level assistant professors on the tenure track to full professors leading doctoral programs, with responsibilities that balance teaching, research publication, and academic service in proportions that vary by institution type.

English Research Assistants support faculty scholars in academic English departments by locating sources, transcribing archival materials, managing bibliographic databases, and contributing to the logistical infrastructure of long-term scholarly projects. Most positions are part-time graduate assistantships, though full-time research assistant roles exist at well-funded research institutions and digital humanities centers.

English Teaching Assistants are graduate students in English departments who teach undergraduate composition or literature sections as part of their doctoral or master's funding package. In exchange for teaching one to two courses per semester, they receive a tuition waiver and stipend. The role combines professional development in pedagogy with the demands of their own graduate coursework and research.

Enrollment Management Coordinators support the operational and analytical work of college and university enrollment offices, managing student data systems, coordinating recruitment events, tracking applicant progress through the funnel, and supporting financial aid communication. They work at the intersection of data management, student outreach, and institutional strategy.

Enrollment Management Directors lead the strategy, operations, and staff responsible for recruiting, admitting, and retaining students at colleges and universities. They set enrollment targets, manage admissions and sometimes financial aid operations, interpret market data, and are ultimately accountable to institutional leadership for hitting the class size and composition goals that drive tuition revenue.

Environmental Education Specialists design and deliver hands-on programs that connect learners of all ages to the natural world, ecological systems, and environmental science. They work at nature centers, state and national parks, aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens, school programs, and nonprofits — creating curriculum, leading field experiences, and building the environmental literacy and stewardship values that environmental agencies and advocates seek to develop in the public.

Environmental Science Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in ecology, environmental chemistry, climate science, and environmental policy while conducting original research on environmental problems ranging from watershed contamination to biodiversity loss to climate adaptation. The field is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on ecology, chemistry, earth science, geography, and policy, which shapes both the teaching portfolio and the collaborative nature of the research.

Environmental Science Research Coordinators manage the operational logistics of university and institutional environmental research projects, overseeing field sampling, laboratory workflows, data management, regulatory compliance, and grant reporting. They serve as the operational backbone of faculty-led research labs and multi-site environmental monitoring programs, ensuring that data collection and project timelines stay on track.

Environmental Science Teachers teach courses covering ecology, earth systems, climate science, and human-environment interactions in middle schools, high schools, and alternative education settings. They design and deliver lab-based and field-based learning experiences, align instruction with NGSS and state science standards, and help students develop the scientific literacy to understand environmental challenges as informed citizens.

Environmental Science Teaching Assistants are graduate students who support instruction in undergraduate environmental science courses, typically running laboratory sections, leading field exercises, grading student work, and holding office hours. The TA appointment is part of a graduate funding package that provides tuition remission and a living stipend in exchange for 15–20 hours per week of instructional support.

Ethics Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in moral philosophy, applied ethics, and normative theory while conducting original research in areas ranging from metaethics to bioethics to political philosophy. They work primarily in philosophy departments but are also employed by professional schools, medical, law, and business, where applied ethics instruction is built into degree programs. A small but growing share now work outside academia entirely, advising AI labs on model behavior, governance, and constitutional-style rules for chatbots, though most Ethics Professors still build careers around traditional teaching, research, and campus service rather than industry consulting.

Faculty Coordinators provide administrative and operational support to academic departments or faculty groups in colleges and universities, managing scheduling, correspondence, budgets, event coordination, and departmental records. They are the operational hub of the department — the person who makes sure meetings happen, deadlines are met, visitors are scheduled, and faculty have the administrative infrastructure they need to focus on teaching and research.

Faculty Development Assistants support centers for teaching excellence, faculty development offices, and instructional technology units at colleges and universities by coordinating workshops, managing program logistics, maintaining resource libraries, and providing technical and administrative support to professional development initiatives for faculty and instructors.

Faculty Development Coordinators manage and implement professional development programs that improve college and university teaching quality. Working within Centers for Teaching Excellence or similar units, they design workshops, facilitate instructional consultations, coordinate online learning resources, and collect evidence of program effectiveness — often working directly with faculty to strengthen specific teaching practices.

Faculty Development Directors lead institutional centers for teaching excellence, overseeing the strategy, staffing, programming, and research efforts that improve faculty teaching quality and student learning. They report to academic deans or provosts, advocate for instructional investment at the institutional level, and build the professional community and evidence base that keeps their centers central to institutional priorities.

Faculty Research Assistants provide direct support to professors and researchers at colleges and universities, assisting with data collection, literature reviews, experiment preparation, IRB compliance, and research project coordination. Most positions are filled by undergraduate or graduate students as part of a funded research experience, though full-time non-student research assistant positions exist at research-intensive institutions and grant-funded projects. Pay ranges widely by appointment type, and 2026 federal research-funding uncertainty is making grant-funded hiring less predictable even where legal challenges to indirect-cost caps have succeeded.

Field Directors in education programs oversee the clinical placement component of teacher preparation and other professional education programs, coordinating student teaching internships, practicums, and field experiences. They recruit and manage relationships with cooperating schools and mentor teachers, place students in appropriate settings, supervise their progress, and ensure placements meet accreditation and state certification requirements.

Film Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in film history, theory, screenwriting, cinematography, directing, and editing at colleges and universities. They mentor student filmmakers and scholars, develop curriculum, advise on thesis and capstone projects, and maintain an active creative or scholarly practice that informs their teaching.

Film Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate film production and theory courses at colleges and universities. They lead lab sections, grade student work, assist with equipment checkout, mentor beginning students on technical skills, and — at the graduate level — develop their own teaching abilities as part of their MFA or PhD training.

Finance Assistant Professors teach undergraduate and graduate finance courses, conduct original academic research in areas such as asset pricing, corporate finance, banking, or financial economics, and pursue tenure at business schools and economics departments. They are expected to publish in top peer-reviewed journals and build a scholarly reputation while managing a teaching load and department service requirements.

Finance Professors teach finance at the undergraduate, MBA, and PhD levels, conduct and publish peer-reviewed research in financial economics, and mentor the next generation of finance scholars and practitioners. At research universities they are expected to publish in top journals and maintain an active research program; at teaching-focused institutions the emphasis shifts toward pedagogy, industry engagement, and curriculum quality.

Financial Aid Assistants provide front-line support in college and university financial aid offices, helping students understand their aid packages, resolving documentation issues, and processing basic award adjustments. They are typically the first point of contact for students navigating the financial aid process and work under the supervision of financial aid counselors and directors.

Financial Aid Counselors advise students and families on federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, package aid awards, process appeals, and ensure their institution's compliance with federal Title IV regulations. They are the primary relationship-holders for aid recipients — managing the full aid lifecycle from initial FAFSA review through disbursement and satisfactory academic progress monitoring.

Financial Aid Directors lead a college or university's financial aid operation — overseeing aid packaging, regulatory compliance with federal Title IV programs, staff management, and the strategic use of institutional aid dollars to meet enrollment goals. They are accountable for both the regulatory accuracy of the office and the way financial aid functions as a tool for student access and institutional revenue.

Financial Aid Officers manage the financial aid process for a caseload of students at colleges and universities — packaging awards, processing appeals, ensuring compliance with federal Title IV programs, and advising students on their financing options. The title is often used interchangeably with Financial Aid Counselor and sometimes reflects a slightly more senior position with greater independent decision-making authority.

Fitness Instructors design and lead exercise classes, personal training sessions, or specialized movement programs at gyms, recreation centers, studios, schools, and corporate wellness facilities. They motivate participants, monitor proper form to prevent injury, and adapt programming to different fitness levels — from beginners to competitive athletes.

Foreign Language Lab Instructors supervise and support students in dedicated language laboratory settings, guiding them through listening, speaking, and multimedia exercises that reinforce classroom instruction. They manage language lab technology, assist students with pronunciation and conversation practice, and coordinate with language faculty to align lab activities with course curriculum.

Foreign Language Professors teach language courses at colleges and universities — from introductory communication courses to advanced literature seminars — and at research institutions conduct scholarly work in linguistics, literature, film, cultural studies, or translation. The role spans the full continuum from language acquisition instruction to humanities scholarship, depending on institutional type and departmental emphasis.

Foreign Language Research Assistants support academic researchers by locating, translating, transcribing, and analyzing source materials in one or more foreign languages. They work in universities, research institutes, think tanks, and government-funded projects — enabling scholars to access and use primary sources, interviews, archives, and media materials in languages beyond their own proficiency.

Foreign Language Teachers instruct students in a second or world language at the middle school, high school, or combined K-12 level, developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing proficiency while building cultural awareness. They design lessons, assess proficiency, and create a communicative classroom environment where students actively use the language rather than merely studying its rules.

Foreign Language Teaching Assistants — typically native or near-native speakers in graduate programs — lead conversation and drill sections, grade assignments, and assist professors with lower-division language courses at colleges and universities. Many are international graduate students whose stipend funds their degree while they contribute native-speaker fluency and cultural knowledge to undergraduate language instruction.

GED Instructors teach adults who did not complete high school the academic skills they need to pass the GED or HiSET high school equivalency exams. They work in community colleges, adult education centers, correctional facilities, and workforce development programs — delivering math, reading, writing, science, and social studies instruction to adult learners with widely varying educational backgrounds and life circumstances.

General Education Professors teach courses in the core curriculum or general education program that all undergraduate students are required to take — courses designed to develop critical thinking, communication, quantitative reasoning, and civic or cultural literacy across disciplines. They may be housed in traditional departments or in dedicated general education programs, and their teaching often spans introductory courses in writing, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

Geography Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses spanning human geography, physical geography, spatial analysis, and geographic information science (GIS), while conducting original research in areas such as climate, urban development, migration, environmental justice, or remote sensing. They work at universities and colleges where geography may be housed in social sciences, natural sciences, or interdisciplinary programs.

Geography Teachers instruct middle and high school students in physical geography, human geography, world regions, and geospatial concepts — developing spatial thinking, map reading, and global awareness. Most are licensed as social studies teachers and teach geography as part of a broader social studies curriculum alongside history, civics, and economics.

Geography Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate geography courses at colleges and universities, leading lab sections in GIS and cartography, grading assignments, facilitating discussion sections, and providing tutoring during office hours. Most are graduate students in geography or environmental science programs who use the assistantship to fund their degrees while gaining supervised teaching experience.

Geology Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, geochemistry, geophysics, hydrogeology, or paleontology, and conduct original research in earth and planetary sciences. Field-based instruction — taking students to outcrops, fieldwork sites, and geological landscapes — is a distinctive part of the role that sets geology apart from most academic disciplines.

Geology Teaching Assistants lead laboratory sections, facilitate field exercises, grade student work, and tutor undergraduates in physical geology, mineralogy, petrology, and earth science courses at colleges and universities. Most are graduate students in geology or geoscience programs whose assistantships fund their degrees while they develop teaching skills alongside their research.

A graduate assistant is an enrolled master's or doctoral student who works part time for their own university, teaching undergraduate sections, working on a faculty member's funded research, or staffing a campus office. Pay comes as a stipend or a fractional salary, and it can be packaged with a tuition waiver and health coverage. The closest federal wage series is the BLS occupation Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary, which put the May 2025 median at $42,910, with the 10th percentile at $28,600 and the 90th at $76,420. That band covers teaching assistants; research and administrative assistantships are paid on stipend schedules set by each school, so their rates can fall outside it.

Graduate Coordinators manage the administrative operations of graduate programs at colleges and universities — handling admissions processing, enrollment, student records, degree auditing, event coordination, and communication for master's and doctoral programs. They serve as the operational hub between graduate students, faculty, and university administration.

Graduate Program Directors provide academic leadership for master's and doctoral programs at universities — overseeing admissions standards, curriculum integrity, student progress, funding allocation, and program assessment. The role can be held by a faculty member serving in an administrative capacity or by a professional administrator with academic background, depending on institutional structure and program type.

Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) conduct original research under faculty supervision while pursuing advanced degrees at universities and research institutions. They design and execute experiments, collect and analyze data, contribute to grant deliverables, and co-author scholarly publications—gaining specialized expertise that defines their academic careers.

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) support undergraduate instruction at colleges and universities while pursuing advanced degrees. They lead discussion sections, grade assignments, hold office hours, and sometimes teach standalone courses—developing pedagogical skills while advancing their own academic credentials and earning stipends that offset graduate education costs.

Graphic Design Teaching Assistants support studio courses in typography, visual communication, branding, and digital media at art schools and university design programs. They assist faculty with critiques, demonstrate software techniques, provide individual feedback on student projects, and help maintain design labs—gaining teaching experience while advancing their own design practice.

Guidance Counselors (also called School Counselors) support student academic achievement, social-emotional development, and college and career planning at K-12 schools. They provide individual counseling, facilitate group sessions, advise on course selection and graduation requirements, and coordinate with teachers, administrators, and families to help students overcome barriers to learning.

Guidance Directors (also called Directors of School Counseling) lead the counseling department at a school or district level, overseeing the design and delivery of counseling programs, supervising counseling staff, managing college and career readiness initiatives, and ensuring the department's work aligns with school improvement goals. They combine direct student support with administrative leadership.

Guidance Directors for Higher Education lead academic advising, counseling, or student success centers at colleges and universities. They supervise advising staff, develop retention and completion programs, analyze student outcome data, and partner with faculty and academic departments to ensure students receive the guidance they need to persist through graduation.

Head Start Directors lead federally funded early childhood education and family services programs serving children ages birth to five from low-income families. They oversee program operations across multiple service areas including early education, health, nutrition, and family engagement, manage federal grant compliance, supervise staff, and maintain community partnerships—all within the framework of Head Start Program Performance Standards.

A Head Start Teacher leads a preschool classroom in the federally funded Head Start program, teaching preschool-age children from families with low incomes and connecting them to health, nutrition and family services. The role sits at a local grant recipient, such as a community action agency, school district or nonprofit, and follows the federal Head Start Program Performance Standards. Teachers plan lessons, observe and assess each child, work closely with families and direct an assistant teacher. Pay tracks the wider preschool market: BLS reports a May 2025 median of $38,140 for preschool teachers, with the 10th percentile at $28,990 and the 90th at $61,390.

Health Education Coordinators plan, implement, and evaluate health education programs that improve community or school population health outcomes. Working in schools, hospitals, public health departments, and nonprofit organizations, they develop curriculum, coordinate health promotion campaigns, provide training, connect individuals to health resources, and measure program effectiveness.

Health Education Specialists design, deliver, and evaluate programs that promote health knowledge, healthy behaviors, and access to care across community, clinical, and organizational settings. They apply behavioral theory and evidence-based approaches to reduce disease risk, improve health literacy, and address health disparities among the populations they serve.

Health Science Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in public health, health administration, kinesiology, allied health sciences, and related fields while maintaining active research or scholarly programs. They mentor students pursuing health careers, advise graduate research, serve on academic committees, and contribute to their discipline through publication and professional service.

Health Teachers instruct students in physical, mental, and social health topics across K-12 grade levels, covering subjects such as nutrition, personal hygiene, sexual health, substance use prevention, mental wellness, and first aid. They design engaging lessons, facilitate honest discussions on sensitive topics, and help young people build the knowledge and decision-making skills that support lifelong health.

High School Counselors support students in grades 9–12 with academic planning, college and career preparation, and social-emotional development. They manage caseloads of 250–500 students, guide seniors through the college application process, provide individual and group counseling, respond to crises, and collaborate with teachers and families to help every student reach graduation ready for the next step.

High School Principals lead the academic, operational, and cultural life of secondary schools serving students in grades 9–12. They set instructional direction, supervise and evaluate teachers, manage budgets and facilities, maintain student discipline and safety, communicate with families and the community, and are ultimately accountable for student achievement outcomes and school culture.

A High School Teacher instructs students in grades 9 through 12 in one subject area, such as English, math, science, social studies or a world language, inside public, charter or private high schools. The work covers lesson planning to state standards, teaching several sections a day, grading tests and papers, carrying out IEP and 504 accommodations, and keeping families informed. Public school teachers need a state license for the grade level they teach, typically with a subject endorsement. BLS puts the May 2025 median pay for secondary school teachers at $72,040, with the 10th percentile at $48,780 and the 90th percentile at $107,600.

High School Teachers for Higher Education teach dual enrollment or concurrent enrollment courses that carry college credit, preparing students for the academic demands of post-secondary education while still in grades 11 or 12. They meet both K-12 certification requirements and the adjunct faculty qualifications set by the partnering college or university, delivering college-level content in high school settings.

Higher Education Administrators manage the non-academic operations that make colleges and universities function—student services, enrollment management, academic affairs, finance, facilities, or institutional research. They develop policy, supervise staff, manage budgets, ensure compliance, and advance institutional strategic goals while serving students, faculty, and the broader campus community.

History Instructors teach courses in U.S. history, world history, European history, and specialized topics at secondary schools, community colleges, and universities. They design course curricula, lead discussions and lectures, assign and evaluate historical writing, guide students in primary source analysis, and help students develop the critical thinking skills that historical study demands.

A History Professor is a college or university faculty member who teaches courses on the human past and how historians interpret it, and who at many schools also researches and publishes original scholarship. The role sits in a history department, ranging from community colleges that hire for teaching to research universities that tie promotion to books and articles. Ranks run from lecturer and assistant professor to tenured associate and full professor. The federal Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey puts the median annual wage for History Teachers, Postsecondary at $83,820 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $48,410 and the 90th at $162,160.

A history teacher is a licensed middle or high school educator who teaches U.S. and world history, government, civics and other social studies courses in public, charter or private schools. The job blends content expertise with classroom craft: building units around primary sources, teaching students to write evidence-based arguments, preparing them for state tests and Advanced Placement exams, and grading a heavy load of essays. BLS does not track history teachers separately; they fall under secondary school teachers, who earned a median of $72,040 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $48,780 and the 90th at $107,600. Pay follows district salary schedules built on years of service and graduate credit.

History Teaching Assistants support undergraduate history instruction at colleges and universities while pursuing graduate degrees. They lead discussion sections, grade papers and exams, hold office hours, and sometimes teach their own courses—developing pedagogical skills while gaining discipline-specific classroom experience that strengthens their academic job candidacy.

Homeschool Coordinators support families in designing and implementing home-based education programs, either through school district homeschool offices, homeschool cooperatives, or educational nonprofit organizations. They advise families on curriculum selection, ensure compliance with state notification requirements, coordinate group learning activities, and help homeschooled students access resources and transition into conventional educational settings when needed.

Homeschool Coordinators for Higher Education work at colleges and universities to recruit, evaluate, and support students who have been educated outside conventional K-12 settings. They develop evaluation criteria for homeschool transcripts and portfolios, advise applicants on college preparation, coordinate admissions processes, and provide transition support to students entering higher education from home-based learning environments.

Homeschool Teachers provide formal, paid education to children outside conventional school settings, working as hired educators for families, in homeschool co-ops, or as learning coaches for online charter programs. They design and deliver individualized instruction across core subjects, track student progress, and help children meet academic milestones appropriate to their ages and learning goals.

Human Resources Coordinators in higher education manage the administrative and compliance backbone of a college or university HR department — handling faculty and staff hiring paperwork, benefits enrollment, HRIS data entry, employee relations intake, and regulatory reporting. They sit at the intersection of academic HR's unique complexities: tenure-track hiring cycles, adjunct contracts, graduate employee labor agreements, and Title IX compliance — all within a public-sector compensation structure that rewards longevity and credential depth over raw experience.

A Human Resources Director for Higher Education leads the full spectrum of HR operations at a college or university — faculty and staff recruitment, compensation, benefits, labor relations, compliance, and workforce development. Unlike corporate HR, this role navigates tenure processes, collective bargaining agreements, faculty governance structures, and a dense web of federal compliance requirements that are unique to academic institutions.

Humanities Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in fields such as history, literature, philosophy, cultural studies, or linguistics while maintaining an active research and publication agenda. They advise students, serve on departmental and institutional committees, and contribute to the intellectual life of their institution. The role spans classroom instruction, original scholarship, peer review, grant work, and faculty governance — rarely in equal proportion.

Humanities Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in history, literature, philosophy, writing, and related disciplines — facilitating discussion sections, providing feedback on student work, and managing classroom logistics at the secondary and postsecondary levels. They work directly with students in small groups and one-on-one settings, reinforcing course material and helping bridge the gap between lecture and comprehension. The role is a critical entry point for people pursuing careers in academia, curriculum development, or secondary education.

Information Literacy Specialists design and deliver instruction that teaches students, faculty, and staff how to find, evaluate, and ethically use information across print and digital sources. Working in school districts, colleges, and university libraries, they collaborate with classroom instructors to embed research skills into curricula, assess information competency, and develop learning resources that help learners navigate an increasingly complex information environment.

An Information Technology Assistant Professor teaches undergraduate and graduate IT courses, conducts original research or applied scholarship, and contributes to departmental service at a college or university. The role sits at the intersection of technical expertise and pedagogy — requiring someone who can explain cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity concepts to students in the morning and advance a research agenda or industry engagement program in the afternoon.

Information Technology Lab Instructors teach hands-on technical coursework in computing, networking, cybersecurity, and related disciplines at community colleges, vocational schools, and universities. They design and deliver lab exercises that reinforce lecture content, manage physical and virtual lab environments, and guide students from foundational concepts through industry-certification-aligned skills. The role sits at the intersection of active instruction and technical systems administration.

Information Technology Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in networking, cybersecurity, database systems, cloud computing, and IT management at community colleges, four-year universities, and technical institutions. They design curricula, supervise student projects, conduct or support applied research, and maintain industry connections that keep coursework current with employer needs. The role balances classroom instruction with scholarship, advising, and departmental service.

Information Technology Research Assistants support faculty, graduate students, and research centers by managing computing infrastructure, data pipelines, and technical systems that underpin academic research projects. They sit at the intersection of IT administration and research support — handling everything from server provisioning and HPC cluster access to research data management and software tool deployment — in university, institute, and government research settings.

Information Technology Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in IT classrooms and computer labs, helping students learn networking fundamentals, programming, cybersecurity concepts, and hardware troubleshooting. They grade assignments, maintain lab equipment, provide one-on-one tutoring, and keep course materials current as technology evolves. The role exists at community colleges, universities, vocational schools, and increasingly in K-12 CTE programs.

Instructional Aides work alongside classroom teachers in K-12 schools, providing direct academic support, behavioral redirection, and small-group instruction under the teacher's direction. They reinforce lesson content, help students with disabilities access the curriculum, manage daily classroom routines, and free lead teachers to focus on whole-class instruction rather than constant individual check-ins. The role spans general education support, self-contained special education classrooms, English language learner programs, and one-on-one student assignments for students with significant medical or behavioral needs. Pay is modest relative to the responsibility involved, but the job is also a common, district-supported entry point into a teaching career for people willing to work toward a license while employed.

An instructional coach is an experienced educator who works inside schools to help teachers sharpen their classroom practice, usually without any role in formal evaluation. Coaches observe lessons, co-plan units, model strategies, study student work with teams and lead curriculum rollouts in math, literacy, science or across subjects. The job sits between the classroom and the principal's office, and the closest Bureau of Labor Statistics occupation is Instructional Coordinators, whose May 2025 median wage was $77,440, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $47,980 and $121,670. Pay depends on the district salary schedule, the length of the contract year and whether the position runs on general funds or federal grants.

Instructional Designers plan, develop, and evaluate learning experiences — online courses, instructor-led training, performance support tools, and blended curricula — for corporate, higher education, and government clients. They translate subject matter expertise into structured learning that produces measurable behavior change, applying instructional systems design models, adult learning theory, and authoring tools to build content that works.

Instructional Technologists design, build, and support technology-enhanced learning experiences for K-12 schools, colleges, and corporate training departments. They sit at the intersection of curriculum design and educational technology — translating learning objectives into online courses, interactive media, and digital assessments while training educators to use the tools effectively. The role demands equal fluency in pedagogical theory and technical platforms.

Instructional Technology Specialists design, implement, and support the technology tools and digital learning strategies that teachers and faculty use in classrooms, online courses, and hybrid environments. They sit at the intersection of pedagogy and technology — not IT helpdesk staff and not curriculum writers, but the bridge between the two — translating learning goals into functional digital experiences and training educators to use them effectively.

Interdisciplinary Studies Assistant Professors design and teach courses that bridge two or more academic disciplines — drawing from humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, or professional fields — while maintaining an active research or creative scholarship agenda. They work within interdisciplinary programs, colleges of general studies, or honors programs, advising students whose academic interests resist single-department classification and contributing to curriculum development across institutional boundaries.

Interdisciplinary Studies Professors design and teach courses that draw from two or more academic disciplines — connecting methods, theories, and evidence across fields to address complex questions that no single department fully owns. They work in standalone interdisciplinary programs, general education cores, or honors colleges at community colleges, liberal arts institutions, and research universities, holding faculty appointments that may span multiple departments.

Interdisciplinary Studies Research Coordinators manage the administrative, logistical, and scholarly infrastructure that keeps cross-departmental research programs running. They sit at the intersection of multiple academic disciplines, coordinating faculty collaborators, managing grant timelines, facilitating student research initiatives, and ensuring that projects spanning disparate fields stay on schedule and within compliance. The role demands equal fluency in research methods, budget oversight, and faculty diplomacy.

Interdisciplinary Studies Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in courses that intentionally cross subject-area boundaries — connecting literature with history, or science with social ethics, or mathematics with visual art. They reinforce learning across multiple disciplines simultaneously, assist with curriculum preparation, facilitate small-group work, and provide differentiated support to students who struggle when conventional subject-area scaffolding isn't present. The role sits at the intersection of academic support and instructional partnership.

International Admissions Coordinators manage the full recruitment and enrollment cycle for students applying from outside the United States — evaluating foreign credentials, guiding applicants through visa requirements, and coordinating with academic departments, international student services, and government agencies. They are the primary point of contact for prospective international students from first inquiry through enrollment and serve as the institutional authority on transcript evaluation, English proficiency standards, and F-1 or J-1 student eligibility.

International Admissions Directors lead the strategy and operations for recruiting, evaluating, and enrolling students from outside the United States at colleges, universities, and graduate institutions. They manage international recruitment pipelines, oversee credential evaluation and visa compliance, direct a staff of international recruiters and admissions counselors, and serve as the institutional authority on everything from market-specific recruitment tactics to SEVIS regulatory requirements.

International Education Coordinators manage the administrative, advising, and compliance infrastructure that supports students studying abroad and international students enrolling at U.S. institutions. Working inside university international offices, they process visa documentation, counsel students on program options, coordinate with host institutions and partner organizations, and ensure the institution meets federal reporting requirements for international enrollment.

International Education Directors lead the strategic development, administration, and operations of an institution's global programs — study abroad, international student recruitment, exchange partnerships, and cross-border curriculum initiatives. They serve as the senior officer connecting institutional goals to a network of foreign university partners, government agencies, and visa compliance frameworks, while managing the staff and budgets that keep those programs running.

International Student Advisors provide immigration advising, academic support, and cultural transition assistance to foreign nationals enrolled at colleges and universities. They maintain institutional compliance with DHS and DOS regulations — primarily F-1 and J-1 visa programs — and serve as the primary point of contact between international students, campus offices, and federal agencies. The role sits at the intersection of immigration law, student affairs, and cross-cultural communication.

International Studies Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses on global politics, comparative foreign policy, regional area studies, and international political economy. They conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, advise students on theses and careers in foreign service or global NGOs, and contribute to their institution's curricular and governance responsibilities. The role sits at the intersection of political science, economics, history, and area expertise.

Internship Coordinators manage the full lifecycle of experiential learning programs — recruiting employer partners, matching students to placements, monitoring site compliance, and tracking outcomes. They sit at the intersection of academic affairs, career services, and industry relations, translating curriculum goals into real-world work experiences that meet accreditation standards and student career objectives.

Journalism Professors teach undergraduate and graduate students the theory, practice, and ethics of news reporting, digital media, broadcast journalism, and strategic communication. They divide their time among instruction, advising student media organizations, scholarly or professional publishing, and service on departmental committees. Most positions require a terminal degree — typically a PhD in mass communication or journalism — or substantial professional newsroom credentials at the professional-track rank.

Journalism Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate and graduate journalism programs by leading lab sections, grading story assignments, coaching students on reporting and editing techniques, and managing course logistics. They serve as the bridge between theoretical instruction and the hands-on newsroom skills students need to enter the profession — a role that demands genuine journalism experience alongside academic aptitude.

K-12 School Nurses serve as the primary healthcare provider for students and staff within K–12 schools and higher education institutions. They assess and manage acute illnesses and injuries, administer medications, coordinate care for students with chronic conditions, and run health education programs. Beyond triage, they function as health policy advisors, 504 plan coordinators, and the clinical bridge between families, physicians, and school administration.

Kindergarten Assistants work alongside lead teachers to support the social, emotional, and academic development of five- and six-year-old students in public and private school settings. They provide direct instructional support, manage small-group activities, maintain a safe classroom environment, and handle the logistical tasks that keep a kindergarten running — from attendance and snack routines to behavior documentation and parent communication.

Kindergarten Assistant Teachers work alongside lead teachers to support the academic, social, and emotional development of five- and six-year-old students in public and private school settings. They facilitate small-group instruction, manage classroom routines, assist children with learning tasks, and help maintain a safe, orderly environment that allows the lead teacher to deliver direct instruction effectively. The role is a primary entry point into K–12 teaching careers.

A Kindergarten Teacher runs the entry grade of elementary school, teaching children to read, write, count and work as members of a class. The role sits in public, charter and private elementary schools, where kindergarten is typically the first grade governed by K-12 academic standards and report cards. The teacher plans lessons, assesses each child's early literacy and math skills, manages the classroom's routines and keeps families informed. BLS reports a May 2025 median wage of $62,680 for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education, with the 10th percentile at $46,990 and the 90th percentile at $101,830. The teacher typically keeps one group of children in one room for the full school year.

Kindergarten Teachers design and deliver foundational learning experiences for five- and six-year-old students, covering early literacy, numeracy, social-emotional development, and school readiness skills. They manage classrooms of 15–25 young learners, communicate regularly with families, and collaborate with specialists and administrators to support every child's developmental trajectory. The role demands a state teaching license, strong knowledge of early childhood pedagogy, and the stamina to sustain high-energy instruction across a full school day.

Language Arts Teachers design and deliver instruction in reading, writing, grammar, literature, and oral communication for K–12 students. They develop curriculum aligned to state ELA standards, assess student performance through writing samples and reading benchmarks, and differentiate instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners — from English language learners to students reading above grade level. The role sits at the intersection of academic skill-building and cultivating students' relationship with language itself.

Law Professors teach courses in JD, LLM, and SJD programs at ABA-accredited law schools, conduct original legal scholarship, and engage in faculty governance and professional service. The role divides across three axes — teaching, research, and service — with the weight of each depending on the school's Carnegie classification, its scholarly ambitions, and whether the position is tenure-track or clinical/legal writing faculty.

Law Research Coordinators support faculty, students, and institutional research programs at law schools, legal research centers, and university libraries by managing research projects, coordinating access to legal databases, and synthesizing complex primary and secondary sources into usable materials. They sit at the intersection of legal scholarship and project management — ensuring that research moves forward, citations are accurate, and deadlines are met across multiple concurrent projects.

Law Teaching Assistants support law school faculty by leading small-group review sessions, grading written work, providing academic feedback to 1L and 2L students, and assisting with course administration. They occupy a unique position in legal education — trained lawyers or advanced JD candidates who bridge the gap between doctrinal instruction and student comprehension, helping students develop the analytical and writing skills that bar passage and legal practice demand.

A Learning and Development Specialist plans, builds and runs the training that helps employees do their jobs better, from new-hire onboarding and compliance modules to leadership programs and software rollouts. In education, the role can sit in a university or college human resources office, a school system's staff development team, or a company that sells training. The work moves from needs analysis to course design, build, delivery and evaluation. BLS files the job under training and development specialists, whose May 2025 national pay ran from $38,760 at the 10th percentile to $123,250 at the 90th, with a median of $69,280.

Learning Center Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of academic support facilities at K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. They hire and schedule tutors, track student utilization, coordinate instructional resources, and serve as the primary liaison between faculty, students, and administration. The role sits at the intersection of student services, program management, and instructional support.

A Learning Center Director leads the daily operations of a tutoring center, supplemental education program, or academic support facility — managing staff, overseeing curriculum delivery, tracking student outcomes, and handling enrollment and budget functions. They sit at the intersection of education administration and small-business management, accountable for both the learning quality inside the center and the financial health that keeps it running.

Learning Disabilities Coordinators design, implement, and oversee support programs for students with learning disabilities across K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. They manage IEPs and 504 plans, coordinate evaluations and accommodations, and serve as the institutional bridge between students, families, classroom teachers, and outside specialists. The role demands both deep special education knowledge and practical case management skill across a caseload that can span dozens of students simultaneously.

Learning Disabilities Specialists assess, identify, and support students with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia across K-12 and clinical settings. They design and implement individualized education programs, provide direct intervention using evidence-based reading and math curricula, and collaborate with classroom teachers, psychologists, and families to ensure students with learning differences access grade-level content and meet academic goals.

Learning Disabilities Teachers provide specialized instruction and support to students with diagnosed learning disabilities — including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and processing disorders — in K–12 public and private school settings. They design individualized education programs, deliver direct instruction using evidence-based intervention methods, co-teach in general education classrooms, and serve as the primary case managers coordinating services between families, therapists, and general education staff.

Learning Resource Teachers provide specialized instruction and individualized support to K-12 students with learning disabilities, language-based processing differences, and other educational needs that require intervention beyond the general education classroom. They develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), collaborate with classroom teachers and specialists, and use evidence-based instructional strategies to close skill gaps in reading, writing, and mathematics. The role sits at the intersection of special education law, instructional science, and direct student advocacy.

Liberal Arts Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses across the humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary fields — history, philosophy, literature, sociology, political science, and related disciplines. Beyond classroom instruction, they conduct original research, advise students, serve on faculty committees, and publish scholarship that contributes to their field. The role exists across four-year universities, liberal arts colleges, and community colleges, with significant variation in teaching load, research expectations, and compensation by institution type.

Liberal Arts Research Assistants support faculty, principal investigators, and research centers in humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary fields by conducting literature reviews, gathering and organizing primary and secondary sources, assisting with data collection and analysis, and preparing materials for publication and grant submissions. The role sits at the intersection of scholarly production and project logistics — equal parts intellectual labor and administrative support — and typically lives inside a university department, research institute, or think tank.

Liberal Arts Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in delivering humanities, social sciences, writing, and interdisciplinary coursework across K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. They work directly with students through small-group instruction, writing feedback, and discussion facilitation while managing grading, course materials, and administrative tasks that keep the classroom running. The role serves as a primary entry point for people pursuing careers in education, academic research, or curriculum development.

Librarians manage information resources and provide research guidance across public, academic, school, and special library settings. They develop and curate collections, instruct patrons in information literacy, oversee digital and physical databases, and administer programs that connect communities with knowledge. The role combines subject expertise, technology fluency, and public service in roughly equal measure.

Library and Information Science Professors teach graduate and undergraduate courses in information organization, digital archives, data management, and library systems while maintaining an active research agenda and contributing to departmental service. They train the next generation of librarians, archivists, and information professionals at accredited LIS programs housed in schools of information, library science, or communication. The role combines classroom instruction, scholarly publication, grant-seeking, and professional community engagement.

A library assistant is the clerical staffer who keeps a library's materials and borrower records moving: checking items in and out, reshelving returns, registering new patrons, handling interlibrary loans and answering routine questions at the desk. The role works under librarians and alongside library technicians in public, school, college and special libraries. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the job as Library Assistants, Clerical (SOC 43-4121) and reported a national median wage of $36,910 in May 2025. The job runs on the library's integrated library system and a good deal of time on your feet in the stacks.

A Library Director is the chief executive of a library: the person accountable to a board of trustees, a city or county government, or a university's academic leadership for the budget, staff, buildings, collections and public services. The title covers the head of a small-town public library with a handful of employees and the leader of a multi-branch urban system or a college library, and the core job is the same in each: set direction, secure money and answer for results. BLS data for education administrators in local government, the closest published pay series (a small group that also includes administrators outside libraries), put the range at $59,900 to $181,730, with a median of $104,800 (May 2025).

A Library Media Specialist is the certified educator who runs a school library and the media and technology services attached to it. The job covers teaching students to find, judge and cite information, planning research units with classroom teachers, and managing the print collection, databases, e-books and student devices that support that teaching. The position sits in an elementary, middle or high school library as part of the instructional staff. BLS counts the role within Librarians and Media Collections Specialists, whose national wages in May 2025 ran from $43,660 at the 10th percentile to $103,990 at the 90th, with a median of $68,270.

Library Media Specialists in higher education manage instructional media collections, digital resources, and information literacy programs that support faculty research and student learning at colleges and universities. They sit at the intersection of librarianship and instructional technology — selecting and licensing databases, teaching research skills, supporting course-integrated instruction, and maintaining the equipment and software ecosystems that faculty and students depend on. The role requires both deep cataloging knowledge and practical fluency with learning management systems, media production tools, and emerging digital scholarship platforms.

Library Research Assistants support patrons and professional librarians in locating, evaluating, and organizing information across print and digital collections. They staff reference desks, conduct database searches, assist with interlibrary loan requests, and help maintain catalog accuracy. The role sits at the intersection of information science and direct patron service — requiring both technical fluency with library systems and the patience to guide users from vague questions to specific answers.

Library Teaching Assistants support librarians and classroom teachers by helping students navigate information resources, maintaining library collections, and facilitating reading and research programs. They work in K–12 school libraries, public library branches, and academic settings, bridging the gap between library services and direct instructional support. The role blends hands-on collection management with student-facing literacy work, making it a distinct position within the broader paraprofessional education workforce.

Life Science Teachers design and deliver instruction in biology, ecology, anatomy, and related disciplines at the middle and high school levels. They manage laboratory environments, align curriculum to state science standards, and guide students through the scientific method — from hypothesis to data analysis — while maintaining compliance with safety regulations for biological and chemical materials.

Life Skills Coaches work with students, young adults, or individuals with disabilities to develop the practical competencies needed for independent living, employment, and healthy relationships. Operating in schools, nonprofits, residential programs, and workforce development agencies, they design and deliver instruction in areas like budgeting, communication, time management, and self-advocacy — bridging the gap between academic learning and functional adult life.

Linguistics Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in language structure, acquisition, phonology, syntax, semantics, sociolinguistics, and related subfields while maintaining an active research agenda. They advise students, publish original scholarship, secure grants, and contribute to departmental governance — balancing classroom instruction with the production and dissemination of new knowledge about human language.

Linguistics Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate linguistics courses — leading discussion sections, grading assignments, holding office hours, and sometimes delivering lectures. The role is typically held by graduate students in MA or PhD programs who gain teaching experience while advancing their own research in areas like phonology, syntax, semantics, or sociolinguistics.

A Literacy Coach is a school or district educator whose main job is improving how teachers teach reading and writing, rather than teaching a class of students. Coaches observe lessons, model instruction, co-plan with grade-level teams, and read screening data alongside teachers to decide where instruction needs to change. They work in elementary and secondary buildings or in district curriculum offices, usually reporting to a principal or a literacy director. BLS groups the role with Instructional Coordinators, where the May 2025 median wage was $77,440, with the 10th percentile at $47,980 and the 90th at $121,670. The defining feature: the primary client is the teacher, and student reading growth is the evidence that the coaching worked.

Literacy Coaches for Higher Education work directly with faculty, academic support staff, and students to strengthen reading, writing, and disciplinary literacy practices across college and university settings. They design professional development for instructors, deliver targeted interventions for underprepared students, and build institutional capacity for evidence-based literacy instruction — all with the goal of improving academic retention and degree completion rates.

Management Assistant Professors hold tenure-track faculty positions at colleges and business schools, where they teach undergraduate and graduate management courses, conduct original research for peer-reviewed publication, and contribute to department service. The role is simultaneously a teaching job, a research program, and an ongoing audition for tenure — with distinct performance expectations in all three areas evaluated over a six-year probationary period.

Management Professors teach undergraduate and graduate business courses in organizational behavior, strategy, leadership, human resources, and related disciplines while conducting original research and providing service to their institution and academic community. At research universities, the role is roughly split across teaching, scholarly publication, and departmental service. At teaching-focused institutions, the classroom is the dominant demand.

Marketing Assistant Professors hold tenure-track or visiting faculty positions at accredited colleges and universities, where they teach undergraduate and graduate marketing courses, conduct original research for peer-reviewed publication, and contribute to departmental service. The role sits at the intersection of academic scholarship and applied business knowledge, requiring candidates who can produce publishable research while delivering rigorous classroom instruction in areas such as consumer behavior, digital marketing, brand strategy, or quantitative methods.

Marketing Coordinators in higher education plan and execute campaigns that attract prospective students, support enrollment goals, and build institutional brand awareness across digital and print channels. They work inside university marketing or communications offices — sometimes embedded within a specific college or graduate program — coordinating content creation, email automation, social media, paid advertising, and event promotion in close partnership with admissions, academic departments, and external agencies.

Marketing Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in consumer behavior, brand strategy, digital marketing, market research, and related disciplines while maintaining an active research agenda and contributing to departmental service. At research universities, the role balances publishing in peer-reviewed journals with classroom instruction; at teaching-focused institutions, the emphasis shifts heavily toward course delivery, curriculum development, and student advising.

Master Teachers are highly experienced classroom educators who serve as instructional leaders within a school or district — mentoring novice teachers, modeling exemplary pedagogy, and driving curriculum development. They occupy the rare middle ground between classroom teaching and formal administration, maintaining direct student contact while taking on school-wide or district-wide responsibilities for improving instructional quality.

Math Instructors plan and deliver mathematics instruction across a range of courses — from foundational arithmetic and algebra to calculus, statistics, and discrete math — in K-12 schools, community colleges, and adult education programs. They design lessons aligned to curriculum standards, assess student progress through formal and informal methods, and adapt instruction to meet diverse learner needs. The role sits at the intersection of subject-matter expertise and the practical craft of helping people who find math difficult actually understand it.

A Math Professor teaches mathematics at a college, university or community college, from calculus and statistics sections to graduate seminars, and at research institutions also produces original mathematics and supervises doctoral students. BLS counts the job as mathematical science teachers, postsecondary, an occupation with 47,670 workers in May 2025. Pay in that group ran from $49,180 at the 10th percentile to $139,340 at the 90th, with a median of $79,940. The balance of teaching, research and service is set by the campus: two-year colleges center the classroom, while doctoral universities weight publication, grants and graduate advising.

Math Specialists are instructional experts embedded in schools or districts who strengthen mathematics teaching and learning across grade levels. They coach classroom teachers, design curriculum, analyze student performance data, and deliver targeted intervention — serving as the bridge between research-based math pedagogy and what actually happens in classrooms every day.

Mathematics Professors teach undergraduate and graduate mathematics courses, conduct original research, and contribute to departmental service at colleges and universities. They design curricula, mentor students, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and compete for external grant funding. The role exists on a spectrum from teaching-focused community college positions to research-intensive R1 university appointments where publication output and grant activity drive tenure and promotion decisions.

Mathematics Teachers plan and deliver instruction in algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and related subjects to students at the middle school, high school, or postsecondary level. They design lesson plans aligned to state standards, assess student understanding through tests and projects, and provide targeted support to help every student develop mathematical fluency and problem-solving skills. The role combines deep subject-matter knowledge with the ability to translate abstract concepts into clear, accessible explanations for diverse learners.

Mathematics Teaching Assistants support lead teachers and professors by delivering targeted instructional help to students struggling with mathematical concepts, from arithmetic and algebra through calculus and statistics. They work in K-12 classrooms, university lecture courses, and tutoring centers — grading work, running small-group sessions, and reinforcing lessons so the lead instructor can focus on whole-class instruction. The role sits at the intersection of pedagogy and math content knowledge, and it is a primary entry point for people building toward a full teaching career.

A Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor holds a tenure-track faculty position responsible for teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, building an independent research program, and contributing to departmental service. They are expected to secure external funding, publish peer-reviewed work, mentor graduate students, and demonstrate enough scholarly momentum to satisfy promotion-and-tenure requirements within six years of hire.

Media Studies Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses on media theory, journalism, film, digital culture, and communication — while maintaining an active research or creative scholarship agenda. They advise students, serve on departmental committees, and contribute original work to peer-reviewed journals, edited volumes, or recognized creative platforms. The role sits at the intersection of humanistic inquiry and rapidly shifting media technologies, requiring both scholarly depth and relevance to an industry transforming in real time.

Media Studies Teaching Assistants support faculty in delivering media literacy, film analysis, journalism, and digital communication courses at colleges, universities, and secondary schools. They lead discussion sections, grade written and production-based assignments, assist with media lab equipment, and help students develop critical frameworks for analyzing and producing media content. The role sits at the intersection of academic instruction and hands-on media production support.

Medical Education Coordinators manage the administrative and logistical infrastructure of physician training programs — residencies, fellowships, CME activities, and clinical education initiatives. They work at the intersection of academic medicine, hospital administration, and regulatory compliance, keeping programs running on schedule and in good standing with accrediting bodies like ACGME, ACCME, and state medical boards.

Medical Research Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of clinical trials and research studies at academic medical centers, hospitals, and research institutions. They recruit and consent participants, collect and manage data, ensure protocol compliance, and serve as the primary liaison between investigators, sponsors, IRBs, and study subjects. The role sits at the intersection of patient care, regulatory compliance, and scientific rigor.

Medical School Professors hold faculty appointments at accredited medical schools and academic medical centers, where they teach preclinical and clinical medicine to MD, DO, and graduate students, conduct original research or clinical scholarship, and often maintain active patient care responsibilities. The role sits at the intersection of education, science, and clinical practice — demanding breadth and depth across all three domains simultaneously.

Medical Teaching Assistants support faculty in health sciences programs — nursing, medical, allied health, and pre-med — by facilitating laboratory sessions, tutoring students in clinical skills, maintaining simulation equipment, and grading practical assessments. They bridge the gap between lecture-hall instruction and hands-on clinical competency, working in anatomy labs, simulation centers, and skills labs at colleges, medical schools, and vocational health programs.

A middle school teacher teaches one or more subjects, such as math, science, English language arts or social studies, to students in the grades between elementary and high school, for example grades 6 through 8. The role sits inside public, charter and private schools; in team-based schools, the teacher shares a group of students with colleagues in other subjects. Teachers plan lessons from state standards, assess progress, manage behavior and keep families informed. Public schools require a state teaching license. BLS puts the May 2025 median wage at $64,370, with the 10th percentile at $48,080 and the 90th at $102,540.

Modern Languages Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in one or more foreign languages — Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Arabic, and others — alongside literature, linguistics, or cultural studies within those languages. They design curricula, advise students, conduct and publish original research, and contribute to departmental governance at colleges and universities. The role balances teaching loads with an active scholarly agenda and ongoing service obligations.

Modern Languages Teaching Assistants support foreign language instruction — typically Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, or other target languages — in K-12 classrooms or university language departments. They work alongside lead teachers or faculty to run conversation practice, small-group activities, pronunciation drills, and culturally contextual lessons that build student fluency and confidence in the target language.

Montessori Coordinators oversee the fidelity, quality, and daily operation of Montessori programs within a school or district — managing curriculum alignment, teacher coaching, parent communication, and compliance with AMI or AMS standards. They bridge classroom practice and administrative leadership, ensuring that prepared environments, mixed-age groupings, and child-led learning structures are implemented consistently across classrooms.

Montessori Teachers design and maintain prepared environments that allow children to direct their own learning through hands-on work with Montessori materials. They observe individual progress closely, introduce lessons at each child's readiness level, and guide social development without conventional grading or direct instruction. The role spans early childhood (ages 3–6), lower and upper elementary (6–12), and adolescent programs, each with distinct curriculum scope and certification requirements.

Music Education Coordinators oversee the design, implementation, and assessment of music programs across a school district, arts organization, or community learning institution. They supervise music teachers, manage instrument inventories and budgets, align curricula to state standards, and serve as the primary advocate for music education within their organization. The role combines instructional leadership, administrative management, and program development in roughly equal measure.

Music Instructors teach musical skills, theory, and performance technique to students ranging from beginners to advanced performers across school programs, private studios, conservatories, and community music schools. They design lesson plans and curricula, direct ensembles, assess student progress, and foster an environment where both technical proficiency and artistic expression can develop. The role spans a wide range of settings — from public school band rooms to independent studios to college applied music programs.

Music Professors teach applied music, music theory, music history, and ensemble performance at two- and four-year colleges and universities. They maintain active scholarly or artistic careers alongside classroom instruction, advise student musicians, and contribute to departmental governance through committee work, curriculum development, and faculty service. The role demands both deep subject-matter expertise and the ability to develop musicians across a wide range of abilities and preparation levels.

Music Research Assistants support faculty scholars, musicologists, and academic departments by locating sources, transcribing scores, analyzing repertoire, and managing the data infrastructure behind peer-reviewed research. They work in university music libraries, conservatories, and research institutes, operating at the intersection of historical scholarship, music theory, and academic administration. The role demands equal comfort reading a baroque figured-bass line and formatting a Chicago-style bibliography.

A Music Teacher is the school's music specialist, teaching K-12 students to sing, play instruments, read notation and listen critically through general music classes and ensembles such as choir, band and orchestra. The job sits in public and private elementary, middle and high schools, and public school pay follows the district teacher salary schedule rather than a separate music scale. BLS does not publish a music-only teacher category, so the closest benchmark is elementary school teachers: a May 2025 median of $63,970, with the 10th percentile at $47,960 and the 90th at $104,340. A bachelor's degree and a state teaching license are the standard entry requirements in public schools.

Music Teaching Assistants support lead music educators in delivering instrumental, vocal, and general music instruction across K-12 classrooms, university ensembles, and community music programs. They work directly with students in small groups and one-on-one settings, assist with rehearsal preparation, manage equipment and sheet music libraries, and help maintain the organized, disciplined environment that ensemble performance demands. The role is a common entry point for music education graduates building toward a full teaching license.

Natural Science Professors teach undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, or environmental science while maintaining an active research program and contributing to departmental service. At research universities, they secure external funding, publish peer-reviewed work, and mentor graduate students; at teaching-focused institutions, the balance shifts heavily toward course design, student advising, and curriculum development.

Natural Science Research Coordinators manage the operational backbone of scientific research projects at universities, research institutes, and government labs. They handle grant administration, IRB and IACUC compliance, data management, and lab logistics so principal investigators can focus on science. The role sits at the intersection of scientific knowledge and administrative execution, requiring fluency in both domains.

Natural Science Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in delivering biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science curricula by preparing lab materials, supervising hands-on experiments, reinforcing concepts with small groups, and maintaining a safe classroom environment. They work in K-12 schools, community colleges, and university departments — serving as the operational backbone of any science program that runs regular laboratory sessions.

Nursing Clinical Instructors supervise and teach nursing students during hands-on clinical rotations at hospitals, long-term care facilities, and simulation labs. They bridge classroom theory and bedside practice — evaluating student performance, ensuring patient safety, coordinating with facility preceptors, and helping students develop the clinical judgment and procedural competency required for licensure and entry-level practice.

Nursing Lab Instructors are registered nurses who teach clinical skills to pre-licensure nursing students in structured simulation and skills laboratory environments. They design and facilitate hands-on practice sessions covering everything from foley catheter insertion to high-fidelity patient simulation scenarios, bridging the gap between classroom theory and clinical practice. The role exists at community colleges, four-year universities, and proprietary nursing schools running ADN, BSN, and LPN programs.

Nursing Professors teach undergraduate and graduate nursing students in both classroom and clinical settings, preparing them for licensure and professional practice. They design curricula, supervise clinical rotations, conduct nursing research, and maintain their own clinical competency to bring current practice into the classroom. The role sits at the intersection of academic faculty work and healthcare expertise, requiring active engagement in both worlds.

Nursing Research Coordinators manage the operational and regulatory infrastructure of clinical research studies within academic medical centers, hospitals, and university nursing programs. They serve as the primary liaison between investigators, study sponsors, IRBs, and research participants — overseeing protocol compliance, data integrity, informed consent, and participant safety from study startup through closeout.

Nursing Teaching Assistants support nursing faculty in delivering didactic coursework, skills lab instruction, and clinical simulation to pre-licensure and continuing education nursing students. They reinforce procedural competencies, supervise practice in simulation labs, grade return demonstrations, and provide academic support that helps students meet program benchmarks and pass NCLEX. The role sits at the intersection of clinical expertise and teaching, typically requiring an active RN license plus teaching or preceptor experience.

Occupational Therapy Assistants (COTAs) work under the supervision of licensed Occupational Therapists to help students and patients develop, recover, or maintain the daily living and functional skills affected by physical, developmental, or learning disabilities. In school-based settings, COTAs implement individualized education program (IEP) goals related to fine motor control, sensory processing, handwriting, and self-care — working directly with students in classrooms, therapy rooms, and natural school environments.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Professors teach didactic and laboratory courses within accredited OT or OTA programs, supervise fieldwork, and maintain active scholarship in their clinical or research specialty. They hold entry-level doctoral or master's credentials, maintain NBCOT certification, and bridge academic instruction with current evidence-based clinical practice — ensuring graduates meet ACOTE accreditation standards and pass licensing boards.

Online Course Developers design, build, and maintain digital learning experiences for higher education institutions, corporate training departments, and e-learning vendors. They translate subject-matter expertise into structured instructional content, selecting media formats, authoring interactive modules, and ensuring courses meet accessibility and technical standards on the platforms where learners complete them.

Online Instructors design and deliver courses through digital platforms, guiding students through asynchronous and synchronous learning experiences without a physical classroom. They develop curriculum, record or facilitate live sessions, grade assessments, and provide individualized feedback to keep remote learners on track. The role spans community colleges, four-year universities, coding bootcamps, corporate training departments, and independent course platforms.

Online Learning Coordinators design, manage, and support the digital course infrastructure that keeps virtual and hybrid education programs running. They work at the intersection of instructional design, learning management system administration, and faculty support — ensuring that online courses meet quality standards, accessibility requirements, and the practical needs of both instructors and students. The role sits inside colleges, universities, K-12 districts, and corporate training departments.

Online Learning Instructional Designers create the architecture, content, and assessments behind digital courses — translating subject matter expertise into structured learning experiences that work on an LMS, a mobile device, or a blended classroom. They write storyboards, build interactive modules, partner with faculty and SMEs, and apply learning science to ensure that what gets built actually produces measurable knowledge or behavior change.

An Operations Management Assistant Professor holds a tenure-track faculty position at a college of business, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in supply chain, process design, logistics, and quantitative methods while maintaining an active research agenda. The role balances classroom instruction with peer-reviewed publication, doctoral student mentorship, and service to the department and academic community — with the tenure clock typically running six years from hire.

Orientation Coordinators design, plan, and deliver new student orientation programs at colleges, universities, and K-12 institutions. They manage logistics, supervise orientation leaders, coordinate across academic and student affairs departments, and ensure that incoming students transition successfully into campus life and academic expectations. The role sits at the intersection of event management, student development, and institutional retention strategy.

An Orientation Director plans, coordinates, and executes new student orientation programs at colleges and universities, ensuring incoming students and their families transition successfully into campus life and academic expectations. They manage a team of student staff and professional coordinators, collaborate with academic departments and student services offices, and oversee the logistics of multi-day welcome programming that may serve thousands of students at a time.

Outreach Coordinators in education build and sustain relationships between institutions and the communities they serve — recruiting students, engaging families, coordinating partnerships, and connecting underserved populations to academic programs and support services. They work at K-12 districts, colleges and universities, nonprofits, and education-focused government agencies, serving as the operational link between program goals and the people those programs are designed to reach.

A paraprofessional is a school employee who works under a licensed teacher, giving students extra instruction, supervision and personal support. Also called a paraeducator, teacher aide or instructional aide, the paraprofessional runs small-group reading and math practice, carries out accommodations written into IEPs, covers lunch, recess and hallways, and handles attendance and classroom records. Most work in public elementary and secondary schools, with smaller numbers in child care centers and private schools. Federal wage data for teaching assistants outside higher education put the May 2025 median at $36,780, with the 10th percentile at $27,150 and the 90th at $50,040.

A Parent Educator coaches expectant parents and families of young children on child development, visiting them at home, running group sessions and screening children for delays. In the education sector the job sits inside school district early childhood programs, such as Missouri's Parents as Teachers program for families from pregnancy to kindergarten entry, and inside nonprofit home visiting agencies. BLS does not report parent educators separately. The nearest occupation, social and human service assistants, had a May 2025 median of $45,930, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $34,200 and $63,290.

Personal Counselors in education settings provide individual and group counseling services to students navigating academic, emotional, social, and behavioral challenges. They work within K–12 schools, community colleges, and universities to support mental health and student development, often serving as the first clinical contact for students in crisis. The role sits at the intersection of therapeutic practice and educational support, requiring both clinical competency and institutional knowledge.

Philosophy Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas such as ethics, logic, metaphysics, epistemology, and political philosophy while conducting original research and publishing peer-reviewed work. They hold faculty appointments at colleges and universities, advise students, serve on departmental and institutional committees, and contribute to the scholarly conversation in their subfield through conferences, journals, and public-facing writing.

Philosophy Research Coordinators support faculty, graduate students, and research centers in managing the administrative, logistical, and intellectual infrastructure of academic philosophy research. They coordinate grant submissions, organize conferences and reading groups, maintain research databases, and facilitate interdisciplinary projects across departments. The role sits at the intersection of academic scholarship and administrative execution, requiring genuine philosophical literacy alongside project management competence.

Philosophy Teaching Assistants support faculty instruction in undergraduate philosophy courses by leading discussion sections, grading written work, holding office hours, and guiding students through dense primary and secondary texts. The role sits at the intersection of pedagogy and research — TAs are typically doctoral students developing their own philosophical projects while gaining formal teaching experience that is essential for academic job market competitiveness.

Physical Education Instructors design and deliver fitness, movement, and health education programs for students across K-12 schools, community colleges, and recreation centers. They teach fundamental motor skills, sport-specific techniques, and lifetime wellness habits while assessing student fitness levels, managing safe activity environments, and meeting state curriculum standards for physical education.

Physical Education Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in kinesiology, exercise science, sport pedagogy, and health at colleges and universities. They design curricula, supervise student teachers, conduct research in their area of specialization, advise students, and fulfill service obligations to their department and institution. The role blends classroom instruction, laboratory work, practicum supervision, and scholarship in roughly equal measure depending on the institution type.

A physical education teacher is a licensed K-12 educator who teaches movement skills, fitness concepts and the social side of sport and play, working from a gym floor, blacktop or field instead of a desk-lined classroom. The role sits inside a school's academic program at the elementary, middle or high school level, carries grades and evaluations like any other subject, and can come paired with coaching or intramural duties. BLS does not report PE teachers as a separate occupation; for secondary school teachers, May 2025 pay ran from $48,780 at the 10th percentile to $107,600 at the 90th, with a median of $72,040.

Physical Therapists in higher education settings split their time between direct patient care — treating student-athletes, faculty, staff, and sometimes the public at campus health or athletic facilities — and academic responsibilities such as clinical instruction, curriculum development, or supervising PT students on clinical rotations. The role demands both hands-on clinical competency and the ability to teach, mentor, and communicate complex rehabilitation concepts to learners at varying stages of professional development.

Physical Therapy Assistants (PTAs) implement treatment plans developed by licensed physical therapists, delivering therapeutic exercises, manual techniques, and modality applications directly to patients recovering from injury, surgery, or managing chronic conditions. They work across hospitals, outpatient clinics, school districts, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, documenting patient progress and communicating findings back to the supervising PT.

Physics Professors teach undergraduate and graduate physics courses, conduct original research, and contribute to departmental and institutional governance at colleges and universities. They design curricula, mentor students through research projects and dissertations, secure external funding through grants, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals — balancing classroom instruction with an active scholarly agenda across fields ranging from condensed matter to astrophysics.

Physics Teachers plan and deliver instruction in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, optics, and modern physics to high school or college students. They design laboratory experiments, assess student mastery, and build conceptual frameworks that connect physical principles to the real world. Beyond classroom delivery, they advise students on STEM pathways, maintain lab safety compliance, and collaborate with department colleagues on curriculum alignment and standardized assessment preparation.

Physics Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in delivering physics coursework at the undergraduate or secondary level — running lab sections, holding office hours, grading problem sets, and providing one-on-one tutoring to students struggling with mechanics, electromagnetism, and quantitative reasoning. At universities, the role is typically filled by graduate students working toward a master's or PhD; at secondary schools and community colleges, it may be a classified staff or part-time instructor position.

Political Science Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in political theory, comparative politics, international relations, or American government while conducting original research and contributing to departmental governance. They hold appointments at colleges and universities — tenure-track, tenured, or contingent — and are evaluated on teaching effectiveness, scholarly publication, and service to the institution and profession. The role demands sustained intellectual output alongside classroom instruction and advising responsibilities.

Political Science Research Coordinators manage the operational infrastructure of faculty-led or institute-based research projects — overseeing data collection, IRB compliance, grant administration, and research team coordination. They serve as the connective tissue between principal investigators, graduate students, funding agencies, and university administrative offices, keeping multi-year projects on schedule and within regulatory requirements.

A Preschool Director runs a licensed early childhood program, such as an independent child care center, a church-based preschool, a chain location or a public pre-K site. The director hires and coaches teachers, keeps the program inside state licensing rules, sets the budget and tuition, manages subsidy billing and is the first call when a family has a concern. BLS classifies the work as Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare, with a May 2025 median wage of $59,300; the 10th percentile was $38,580 and the 90th percentile $98,240. Most of these directors work in childcare facilities.

A preschool teacher plans and leads the learning day for children younger than age 5 who have not yet entered kindergarten, teaching early literacy, math, language and social skills largely through play the teacher designs on purpose. The job sits in child care centers, Head Start classrooms, faith-based and nonprofit preschools, and public school pre-K, and the setting shapes both the credential required and the paycheck. Lead teachers write plans, observe and document each child's development, and keep families informed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put the median annual wage at $38,140 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $28,990 and the 90th percentile at $61,390.

Principals serve as the instructional and administrative leaders of K-12 schools, responsible for student academic outcomes, staff development, school culture, and operational management. They supervise teachers, manage budgets, enforce discipline policies, and serve as the primary liaison between the school community and the district. The role demands equal parts educational vision and day-to-day operational discipline.

Professional Development Coordinators design, schedule, and facilitate learning programs that help teachers, administrators, and staff build instructional and operational skills. They assess training needs, curate or build content, manage logistics, and measure whether the learning actually changes practice. The role sits at the intersection of curriculum design, adult learning theory, and organizational development inside schools, districts, and educational nonprofits.

Professional Writing Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate and graduate writing courses by facilitating class sessions, providing detailed feedback on student work, holding writing consultations, and managing course logistics. The role sits at the intersection of pedagogy and writing practice — TAs in professional writing programs handle everything from business communication to grant writing to technical documentation, depending on the program's focus and the faculty member's curriculum.

Professors of Advertising teach undergraduate and graduate courses in advertising strategy, copywriting, media planning, campaign development, and consumer behavior at colleges and universities. They conduct original research, mentor students, advise thesis work, and maintain industry currency through professional practice, consulting, or scholarship — balancing classroom instruction with publishing expectations and departmental service.

Professors of Architecture teach design studios, lecture courses, and seminars at accredited colleges and universities while maintaining an active research or professional practice. They mentor students through the NAAB-accredited curriculum, serve on thesis committees, contribute to program accreditation, and advance the discipline through scholarship, built work, or applied research. The role sits at the intersection of academia and professional practice in ways few other faculty positions do.

Professors of Behavioral Science teach undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, sociology, cognitive science, or related disciplines while maintaining an active research agenda and contributing to departmental governance. They design curriculum, mentor students, secure external funding, and publish original scholarship that advances understanding of human behavior — all within the tenure and promotion structures that define academic careers at four-year institutions.

Professors of Biomedical Sciences teach undergraduate and graduate students in areas such as physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and pathology while maintaining an active research program funded through extramural grants. At research-intensive institutions, they are expected to publish in peer-reviewed journals, mentor doctoral and postdoctoral trainees, and contribute to departmental and institutional governance. The role sits at the intersection of scientific discovery and education, requiring equal commitment to both.

Professors of Business Analytics teach graduate and undergraduate courses in data analysis, predictive modeling, machine learning applications, and decision science within college of business settings. They conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, advise students and doctoral candidates, and maintain industry partnerships that keep curriculum aligned with how organizations actually use data. The role blends rigorous quantitative scholarship with practical business context in a way few academic positions require.

Professors of Chemical Engineering teach undergraduate and graduate coursework, lead funded research programs, and advise students at accredited universities and research institutions. They are responsible for generating original scholarship, securing external grants, mentoring doctoral candidates, and contributing to departmental governance — all while maintaining technical currency in a field that spans thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, transport phenomena, and emerging areas like bioprocessing and energy systems.

Professors of Civil Engineering teach undergraduate and graduate courses in structural, geotechnical, environmental, transportation, or construction engineering while conducting funded research and advising student theses. They hold faculty appointments — typically on a tenure track — at universities and community colleges, balance classroom instruction with laboratory research, and contribute to departmental service through curriculum development, accreditation, and committee work.

Professors of Cognitive Science teach undergraduate and graduate courses on perception, memory, language, decision-making, and neural computation while maintaining an active research program that advances the field. They advise students, secure external funding, publish peer-reviewed work, and contribute to departmental governance at research universities, liberal arts colleges, and interdisciplinary cognitive science programs.

Professors of Communications teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas such as media studies, journalism, public relations, organizational communication, and digital media. They design curricula, conduct original research or applied scholarship, advise students, and contribute to departmental governance. The role balances classroom instruction with scholarly output — conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, or industry-facing projects — depending on the institutional type and Carnegie classification.

Professors of Computational Biology hold faculty positions at research universities and liberal arts colleges, where they run independent research programs applying computational and mathematical methods to biological questions — genomics, protein structure prediction, systems biology, evolutionary modeling, and related fields. They teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, compete for external funding, and contribute to departmental governance. The role sits at the intersection of biology, computer science, and statistics, and demands sustained productivity in all three domains simultaneously.

Professors of Computer Engineering design and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas such as computer architecture, embedded systems, VLSI design, and digital signal processing while conducting original research and mentoring graduate students. They hold a terminal degree — typically a Ph.D. in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a closely related field — and are evaluated on teaching effectiveness, research productivity, and service to their department and professional community. At research-intensive universities, the role is as much about running a funded lab as it is about standing at a whiteboard.

Professors of Computer Graphics teach undergraduate and graduate courses in rendering, real-time graphics, computer vision, and related topics while maintaining an active research agenda in their area of specialization. They advise students, publish original work, secure external funding, and contribute to curriculum development at universities with computer science, digital arts, or engineering programs. The role blends deep technical knowledge of graphics pipelines and algorithms with the communication skills needed to make those concepts accessible to students at multiple levels.

Professors of Computer Networking teach undergraduate and graduate courses in network architecture, protocols, security, and emerging technologies at colleges and universities. They design curriculum, conduct original research, advise students, and engage in departmental service. The role sits at the intersection of technical depth and pedagogical skill, requiring fluency in both the academic literature and the practical realities of enterprise and cloud networking.

Professors of Construction Management teach undergraduate and graduate courses in project scheduling, cost estimating, building systems, contracts, and construction law at colleges and universities. They conduct applied research, mentor students pursuing careers in the construction industry, and maintain professional currency through industry engagement, publications, and service to their academic departments. Most positions require a combination of advanced academic credentials and substantial field or project management experience.

Professors of Creative Writing teach fiction, poetry, nonfiction, or screenwriting at the undergraduate and graduate level, typically within an MFA program or English department. They lead workshops, mentor student writers, develop curriculum, and maintain an active publishing record that legitimizes their standing in the field. The role sits at the intersection of literary practice and academic institution — requiring someone who is genuinely both a working writer and an effective teacher.

Professors of Criminology teach undergraduate and graduate courses on crime, criminal justice systems, law enforcement, and social deviance while conducting original research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. They advise students, serve on department and university committees, and contribute to their discipline through conference presentations, grant activity, and professional service. Most positions are at colleges and universities, with rank ranging from assistant professor through full professor.

Professors of Data Science teach undergraduate and graduate courses in machine learning, statistical modeling, data engineering, and applied analytics while maintaining an active research agenda. They advise students, publish in peer-reviewed venues, develop curriculum, and often collaborate with industry partners or secure external funding through grants. The role sits at the intersection of computer science, statistics, and domain application — and the specific balance of teaching, research, and service varies significantly by institution type.

Professors of Dentistry teach predoctoral and postdoctoral dental students in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings while maintaining active research programs and contributing to patient care within the dental school's faculty practice. They hold terminal clinical degrees — DDS or DMD — often combined with specialty board certification, and are evaluated across the traditional academic triad of teaching, scholarship, and service within a Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA)-governed environment.

Professors of Design teach undergraduate and graduate design courses spanning visual communication, interaction design, industrial design, or adjacent fields, depending on institutional focus. They maintain an active creative or research practice, advise student work from concept through critique, and contribute to curriculum development, faculty governance, and departmental accreditation. The role combines classroom teaching, studio instruction, and scholarly or professional output in roughly equal measure.

Professors of Ecology teach undergraduate and graduate courses in ecology, evolutionary biology, and environmental science while maintaining an active research program, advising graduate students, and contributing to departmental service. At research universities, the role centers on securing external funding, publishing peer-reviewed work, and training the next generation of ecologists. At teaching-focused institutions, the balance tips toward course delivery and undergraduate mentorship.

Professors of Economics and Finance teach undergraduate and graduate courses covering economic theory, financial markets, corporate finance, and quantitative methods at colleges and universities. Beyond the classroom, they conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, advise graduate students, and contribute to departmental governance. The role demands equal parts teacher, researcher, and scholar — with tenure status and institutional type shaping how those demands are weighted.

Professors of Education teach undergraduate and graduate courses in pedagogy, curriculum theory, educational psychology, and research methods while maintaining an active scholarly agenda through peer-reviewed publications and funded research. They advise doctoral students, supervise field placements and student teachers, and contribute to program accreditation, departmental governance, and policy debates that shape how K–12 and higher education systems function. The role sits at the intersection of practice and scholarship — credible in both the university and the school.

Professors of Education Administration teach graduate-level courses in school leadership, organizational theory, policy analysis, and educational governance while conducting original research and advising doctoral candidates. They prepare aspiring principals, superintendents, and district administrators through coursework grounded in empirical research and practical field experience. The role sits at the intersection of academic scholarship and applied professional preparation, requiring both a strong publication record and meaningful K–12 or higher education leadership experience.

A Professor of Electrical Engineering teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, conducts original research, mentors students through thesis and dissertation work, and secures external funding to sustain a research program. The role spans teaching, scholarship, and departmental service — with the balance shifting depending on institutional type, rank, and tenure status. At research-intensive universities, the funding and publication record often drives career progression as much as classroom performance.

Professors of Environmental Engineering teach undergraduate and graduate courses in water treatment, air quality, remediation, and sustainable infrastructure while maintaining an active research program. They mentor graduate students, secure external funding through federal and state grants, publish peer-reviewed scholarship, and serve on faculty and professional committees. The role combines classroom instruction with laboratory or field-based research that addresses real contamination, infrastructure, and regulatory challenges.

Professors of Environmental Law teach courses on environmental statutes, regulatory compliance, and natural resources law at accredited law schools while maintaining active scholarly research agendas. They advise students, supervise clinics, contribute to faculty governance, and engage with practitioners, agencies, and advocacy organizations to shape a field that sits at the intersection of administrative law, property, and science policy.

Professors of Environmental Management teach graduate and undergraduate courses on environmental policy, sustainability, natural resource governance, and ecological economics at colleges, universities, and professional schools. They conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, advise students and thesis candidates, and engage with government agencies, NGOs, and industry partners on applied environmental problems. The role blends academic scholarship with real-world policy and management practice.

A Professor of Ethics teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in moral philosophy, applied ethics, and related fields while conducting original research and contributing to departmental service. The role sits at the intersection of rigorous scholarly inquiry and classroom instruction, requiring someone who can publish peer-reviewed work, supervise doctoral students, and make complex ethical theory accessible to a range of learners — from philosophy majors to pre-med students satisfying a core requirement.

A Professor of Film and Television teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in film theory, production, screenwriting, and media studies while maintaining an active creative or scholarly practice. At research universities, the role combines teaching with peer-reviewed publication or festival-recognized production work; at teaching-focused institutions, the balance shifts heavily toward instruction and mentorship. Most tenure-track positions require an MFA or PhD and demonstrated professional or academic accomplishment in the field.

Professors of Food Science teach undergraduate and graduate courses in food chemistry, food microbiology, food processing, and sensory science while maintaining an active research program and advising graduate students. They work at land-grant universities, research-intensive R1 institutions, and teaching-focused colleges, balancing instructional load with grant-funded research, industry partnerships, and departmental service. The role blends scientific rigor with the applied, industry-relevant focus that defines food science as a discipline.

Professors of Forensic Science design and teach undergraduate and graduate courses spanning criminalistics, forensic chemistry, digital evidence, and crime scene investigation while maintaining an active research agenda. They supervise student laboratories, mentor graduate researchers, and often maintain relationships with working crime labs, medical examiner offices, and law enforcement agencies to keep coursework grounded in operational practice.

Professors of Genetics teach undergraduate and graduate courses in classical, molecular, and genomic genetics while maintaining an active research program that advances understanding of heredity, gene expression, genome structure, or related areas. They mentor students at every level, compete for extramural funding, and contribute to departmental and university governance. The balance between teaching load and research expectations shifts significantly depending on whether the position is at an R1 research university or a primarily undergraduate institution.

Professors of Geophysics teach undergraduate and graduate courses in seismology, geodynamics, and Earth structure while running externally funded research programs. They supervise PhD and master's students, publish in peer-reviewed journals, write grant proposals to NSF, USGS, and DOE, and sit on department and university committees. The job splits roughly between classroom teaching, mentoring a research group, and the grant-writing cycle that keeps a lab funded. Compensation and teaching load both depend heavily on whether the institution is a research university or a primarily undergraduate college.

Professors of Gerontology teach undergraduate and graduate courses on aging, human development, and age-related health and social policy, while maintaining active research programs and advising students. They work at colleges, universities, schools of public health, and interdisciplinary aging research institutes, contributing scholarship that informs clinical practice, policy, and community programs serving older adults.

Professors of Global Studies research and teach the political, economic, cultural, and environmental forces shaping the contemporary world across national and regional boundaries. They design undergraduate and graduate curricula, publish original scholarship, advise students on thesis and dissertation work, and contribute to the institutional life of a university through committee service and program development. The role sits at the intersection of international relations, political economy, area studies, and cultural theory.

Professors of Health Sciences teach undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines such as public health, health administration, kinesiology, nutrition, epidemiology, and allied health professions. They develop curricula, conduct original research, advise students, and contribute to departmental governance — all while maintaining active engagement with clinical, policy, or community health practice in their specialty area.

Professors of Hospitality Management teach undergraduate and graduate courses covering hotel operations, food and beverage management, tourism, event planning, and service industry leadership. Beyond the classroom, they conduct applied research, advise student capstone projects, maintain industry partnerships, and keep curricula aligned with what employers in hotels, restaurants, and travel companies actually need from graduates.

Professors of Human Services teach undergraduate and graduate courses in social welfare, case management, community organizing, and human development at two-year colleges, four-year universities, and professional programs. They prepare students for direct-service careers in social work, counseling, nonprofit management, and public health, combining classroom instruction with field supervision, applied research, and ongoing community partnerships. Many also coordinate hands-on practicum placements at local social service agencies.

Professors of Industrial Engineering teach undergraduate and graduate courses in operations research, manufacturing systems, human factors, supply chain, and related disciplines while conducting original research and advising student theses. They hold faculty appointments at research universities, teaching-focused colleges, or polytechnic institutions and are expected to contribute to the department through curriculum development, grant activity, and professional service. The role blends classroom instruction, laboratory direction, and scholarly output in a field that bridges engineering and management.

Professors of Information Systems teach undergraduate and graduate courses covering database management, enterprise systems, cybersecurity, data analytics, and IT strategy at colleges and universities. They conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, advise students and doctoral candidates, and contribute to department curriculum and institutional service. The role sits at the intersection of management, technology, and organizational behavior — requiring both academic rigor and applied industry awareness.

Professors of Information Technology Management teach graduate and undergraduate courses at the intersection of technology strategy, enterprise systems, and organizational management. They conduct original research, advise students, and engage with industry to keep curricula grounded in current practice. Most positions are housed in business schools or dedicated information systems departments at four-year universities and MBA programs.

Professors of Interior Design teach undergraduate and graduate students the technical, conceptual, and professional skills required to practice interior design — from space planning and materials selection to building codes and client presentation. They lead studio courses and lecture classes, maintain an active creative or scholarly practice, advise students, and participate in the curriculum governance and accreditation work that keeps a design program credible with CIDA and prospective employers.

Professors of International Business teach undergraduate and graduate courses on global trade, multinational strategy, cross-cultural management, and foreign direct investment while maintaining an active research agenda. They advise students, contribute to curriculum development, and bring real-world global business knowledge into the classroom at AACSB-accredited business schools and research universities. The role blends scholarship, instruction, and service in roughly equal measure depending on the institution's research ranking.

Professors of Journalism and Mass Communication teach undergraduate and graduate students the theory, ethics, and practice of reporting, editing, broadcasting, digital media, and strategic communication. Beyond the classroom, they conduct original research, advise student media organizations, and contribute to curriculum development — balancing practical industry knowledge with scholarly rigor in a field reshaped by digital disruption and AI-driven content tools.

Professors of Justice Studies design and teach undergraduate and graduate coursework covering criminology, criminal justice policy, law enforcement, courts, corrections, and social justice theory. They conduct and publish original research, mentor students through capstone and thesis work, and contribute to department governance, accreditation, and community partnerships. The role spans both applied and theoretical dimensions of justice as a field.

Professors of Landscape Architecture teach undergraduate and graduate students in design studios, lecture courses, and seminars covering site design, ecological systems, urban planting, and professional practice. They maintain an active research or creative practice, advise student theses, serve on department committees, and contribute to professional discourse through publications, built work, or funded projects. The role blends rigorous design pedagogy with scholarly or practice-based inquiry.

Professors of Leadership Studies teach undergraduate and graduate courses on organizational leadership, leadership theory, ethics, and applied management practice at colleges and universities. They conduct original research, publish peer-reviewed scholarship, advise students on academic and professional development, and contribute to departmental governance. The role sits at the intersection of social science, management, and professional education, drawing on disciplines from psychology and organizational behavior to political science and public administration.

Professors of Linguistics and Language Studies teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas such as phonology, syntax, sociolinguistics, language acquisition, and computational linguistics while conducting original research and publishing in peer-reviewed venues. They mentor graduate students, serve on departmental and university committees, and contribute to their scholarly community through conference presentations, grant work, and professional service. The role spans R1 research universities, liberal arts colleges, and teaching-focused institutions, with expectations varying considerably across those contexts.

A Professor of Management Information Systems holds a faculty position at a college or university business school, teaching MIS courses ranging from introductory systems analysis to graduate-level data analytics and IT strategy. Beyond the classroom, the role involves conducting original research, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, advising students and doctoral candidates, and contributing service to the department, college, and academic discipline. Most tenure-track positions require a terminal degree and an active research agenda.

Professors of Marine Science teach undergraduate and graduate courses in oceanography, marine biology, coastal ecology, and related disciplines while maintaining an active research program funded by external grants. They mentor graduate students, publish peer-reviewed findings, and often collaborate with federal agencies such as NOAA, NSF, and USGS on field-based and laboratory investigations of ocean systems.

Professors of Marketing Research teach graduate and undergraduate courses in research methodology, consumer behavior analytics, and quantitative market analysis while maintaining an active scholarly agenda. They design and publish original research, supervise doctoral candidates, secure external grant funding, and serve on departmental and college committees — balancing teaching, research productivity, and service obligations across the academic year.

Professors of Materials Science teach undergraduate and graduate courses in materials structure, processing, characterization, and properties while maintaining an active research program that advances the field. At research universities, they lead funded labs, mentor doctoral students, and publish in peer-reviewed journals. At teaching-focused institutions, instruction carries greater weight, but research expectations rarely disappear entirely.

Professors of Mechanical Engineering teach undergraduate and graduate courses, conduct original research, advise students, and secure external funding through grants. They work at research universities, teaching-focused colleges, and polytechnic institutions, and are responsible for advancing the field through publications, patents, and industry partnerships while preparing the next generation of engineers for practice or doctoral study.

Professors of Media Production teach undergraduate and graduate courses in film, video, audio, digital media, and emerging production platforms at colleges and universities. They balance studio instruction with scholarly or creative research, advise student production projects, maintain active professional practice in the field, and contribute to curriculum development and departmental governance.

Professors of Medical Informatics teach graduate and professional students the principles of health data management, clinical decision support, interoperability standards, and informatics research methods. They maintain an active research portfolio — securing grants, publishing peer-reviewed work, and collaborating with health systems — while advising students and serving on departmental and university committees. The role sits at the intersection of computer science, biomedical science, and clinical practice.

Professors of Medieval Studies teach undergraduate and graduate courses on medieval history, literature, culture, and related disciplines while maintaining an active research and publication agenda. They advise students, serve on departmental and university committees, and contribute to the scholarly conversation through conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and monographs. The role demands genuine expertise across at least one medieval language and regional or thematic specialization within the roughly 500–1500 CE period.

A Professor of Military Science (PMS) is an active-duty or recently retired Army officer who commands the ROTC battalion at a host university, responsible for recruiting, training, and commissioning the next generation of Army officers. The PMS leads a cadre of military instructors, manages a federal training budget, and serves simultaneously as a university faculty member and a military unit commander — a combination that demands fluency in both academic culture and Army doctrine.

A Professor of Molecular Biology conducts original research, teaches undergraduate and graduate courses, and mentors the next generation of scientists at colleges and universities. They manage funded research laboratories, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, secure grant funding from agencies like NIH and NSF, and contribute to departmental governance. The role blends independent scientific inquiry with sustained teaching and institutional service.

Professors of Music Education teach undergraduate and graduate coursework at colleges and universities, preparing future music educators for K–12 classrooms and community music programs. They conduct original research in music pedagogy, curriculum theory, or music learning and development, supervise student teachers, and contribute to departmental governance. The role blends classroom instruction, scholarly activity, and mentorship of the next generation of music teachers.

A Professor of Nanoscience leads original research and undergraduate or graduate instruction at the intersection of physics, chemistry, materials science, and engineering at the nanometer scale. They design and teach courses, supervise thesis students, secure external grant funding, and publish peer-reviewed findings on topics ranging from nanofabrication and quantum dots to bionanotechnology and nanocomposite materials. The role demands both the rigor of a research scientist and the clarity of an educator who can make sub-atomic phenomena legible to students encountering them for the first time.

Professors of Natural Resources teach undergraduate and graduate courses in ecology, forestry, watershed science, wildlife management, and related disciplines while maintaining active research programs and advising students. They work at universities, land-grant colleges, and professional schools of natural resources, bridging field-based science with classroom instruction, grant-funded research, and departmental service that shapes how the next generation of conservation professionals is trained.

Professors of Neuroscience lead undergraduate and graduate instruction in neural systems, cellular and molecular neuroscience, and brain-behavior relationships while maintaining an active research program funded by extramural grants. They train doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to departmental and university governance. The role sits at the intersection of science education and original discovery — both halves carry real weight.

Professors of Nuclear Science teach undergraduate and graduate coursework in nuclear physics, reactor theory, radiation transport, and related disciplines while maintaining an active research program funded by DOE, NRC, or DoD grants. They advise graduate students through thesis and dissertation work, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and often hold collaborations with national laboratories, nuclear utilities, or government agencies. The role demands equal fluency in the classroom and at the research bench.

Professors of Nursing Science teach undergraduate and graduate nursing students, conduct original research on clinical practice and patient outcomes, and contribute to the academic and professional development of the nursing workforce. They hold faculty appointments at colleges and universities, balance classroom instruction with scholarship and clinical practice maintenance, and mentor the next generation of nurses, nurse practitioners, and nurse scientists.

Professors of Occupational Therapy teach clinical and theoretical coursework in accredited OT and OTA programs, prepare students for NBCOT licensure, and maintain scholarly or practice-based research agendas. They balance classroom instruction with fieldwork coordination, curriculum development, faculty governance, and in many programs, an expectation of continuing clinical practice or funded research.

Professors of Operations Management teach undergraduate and graduate courses in supply chain management, process optimization, logistics, and quantitative methods at accredited colleges and universities. They conduct original research published in peer-reviewed journals, advise doctoral students, and serve on faculty committees. At research universities, the publication record drives tenure and promotion; at teaching-focused institutions, instructional quality and curriculum development carry more weight.

Professors of Optometry teach clinical and didactic coursework at accredited schools and colleges of optometry, preparing doctoral students to diagnose and manage ocular disease, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide primary eye care. They divide their time among classroom instruction, patient care in college clinics, scholarly research or professional activity, and faculty governance — operating at the intersection of health professions education and clinical practice.

A Professor of Organizational Behavior teaches courses on human behavior in organizations — leadership, motivation, group dynamics, culture, and decision-making — at the undergraduate, MBA, or doctoral level while maintaining an active research agenda. The role sits inside a business school or management department and requires balancing instructional quality, peer-reviewed publication, and service to the institution. Most tenure-track positions expect candidates to produce research publishable in top-tier management journals.

A Professor of Orthodontics holds a faculty appointment at an accredited dental school or postdoctoral orthodontic program, combining clinical instruction, didactic teaching, scholarly research, and patient care in a single role. They train dental students and orthodontic residents in diagnosis, treatment planning, and appliance mechanics while maintaining an active clinical presence and contributing peer-reviewed scholarship to advance the field.

Professors of Paleontology teach undergraduate and graduate courses in fossil science, evolutionary biology, and Earth history while maintaining an active research program that produces peer-reviewed publications and attracts external grant funding. They mentor graduate students, curate specimen collections, conduct fieldwork, and serve on departmental and professional committees — managing the full academic workload that tenure-track and tenured faculty carry at research universities and liberal arts colleges.

A Professor of Pathology holds a faculty appointment at a medical school or academic medical center, combining diagnostic practice, medical education, and scholarly research within a single role. They teach pathology to medical students, residents, and fellows; sign out surgical and autopsy cases; and maintain an active research program or translational practice that advances the field. The position spans clinical service, classroom instruction, and administrative responsibility in roughly equal measure depending on rank and institutional mission.

Professors of Petroleum Engineering teach undergraduate and graduate courses in reservoir engineering, drilling, production, and formation evaluation while conducting funded research and advising graduate students. They hold faculty appointments at universities with accredited petroleum engineering programs, balance classroom instruction with sponsored research programs, and publish in peer-reviewed journals to advance the field. The role blends deep technical expertise with mentorship, grant writing, and industry collaboration.

Professors of Pharmaceutical Science teach courses in drug chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and related disciplines within college of pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences programs. They conduct original research, mentor graduate students, secure extramural funding, and contribute to curriculum development and departmental governance. The role blends deep scientific expertise with the institutional responsibilities of faculty life at research universities and teaching-focused institutions alike.

Professors of Pharmacy Practice hold faculty appointments at colleges of pharmacy, combining classroom instruction, clinical teaching, and active patient care practice in a specialized area such as cardiology, infectious disease, ambulatory care, or community pharmacy. They prepare Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) students for licensure and practice through didactic coursework, experiential rotations, scholarly work, and professional service — often while maintaining a clinical practice site.

Professors of Physical Therapy teach didactic and clinical coursework in CAPTE-accredited DPT programs, mentor doctoral students, and maintain an active research or scholarly agenda. They bridge rigorous biomedical science — kinesiology, neuroscience, musculoskeletal pathology — with clinical reasoning skills that prepare graduates to pass the NPTE and practice at an evidence-based standard. Most hold terminal academic or clinical doctorates and maintain some form of active practice or clinical affiliation.

A Professor of Physiology teaches undergraduate and graduate students about the function of living systems — from cellular ion channels to whole-organ integration — while maintaining an independent research program and contributing to departmental service. At research universities and medical schools, the role demands simultaneous excellence in the classroom, the laboratory, and the grant-writing process, making it one of the most demanding and intellectually stimulating positions in academic science.

Professors of Plant Science teach undergraduate and graduate courses in plant biology, agronomy, horticulture, or crop physiology while maintaining an active research program that advances the field. At most research universities they hold a tenure-track or tenured position with responsibilities split across teaching, funded research, graduate student mentorship, and departmental service. At teaching-focused institutions the balance tilts heavily toward instruction.

Professors of Polymer Science lead undergraduate and graduate instruction in polymer chemistry, materials science, and related disciplines while maintaining an active research program that produces peer-reviewed publications, external grants, and trained doctoral students. At research-intensive institutions, the role divides roughly equally among teaching, research, and service; at primarily undergraduate institutions, teaching carries the dominant weight. Either way, deep expertise in polymer synthesis, characterization, or processing is the non-negotiable foundation.

Professors of Population Health lead research, teach graduate and professional students, and translate epidemiological and health systems evidence into policy and practice at schools of public health, medical schools, and academic health centers. They design and conduct original research on the social, behavioral, environmental, and clinical determinants of health across populations, compete for external funding, and advise the next generation of public health scientists and practitioners.

Professors of Professional Writing teach undergraduate and graduate courses in technical communication, business writing, grant writing, digital rhetoric, and workplace genres at colleges and universities. They design curricula, advise students, conduct scholarly or applied research, and contribute to department and institutional governance. The role sits at the intersection of composition studies, rhetoric, and industry practice — preparing students for careers in technical communication, publishing, content strategy, and related fields.

Professors of Psychology and Counseling teach undergraduate and graduate courses in psychological theory, research methods, and counseling practice while maintaining an active scholarly agenda through research, publication, and grant activity. They mentor students pursuing clinical, counseling, or research careers; provide academic advising; and contribute to departmental governance through committee service. The role spans classroom instruction, supervision of practicum and internship placements, and ongoing engagement with the discipline through professional organizations and peer-reviewed scholarship.

Professors of Public Administration teach graduate and undergraduate courses in public policy, organizational theory, budgeting, and public sector management while maintaining an active research agenda and advising students in MPA and PhD programs. They serve at the intersection of academic scholarship and practical governance — preparing future city managers, nonprofit directors, and federal administrators while contributing peer-reviewed research that informs how public institutions operate.

Professors of Public Health teach graduate and undergraduate students in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, or community health while maintaining an independent research program and contributing to institutional service. They operate at the intersection of academic scholarship and real-world population health — producing evidence that shapes policy, training the next generation of public health practitioners, and often consulting with government agencies, NGOs, or health departments.

Professors of Public Policy teach graduate and undergraduate courses in policy analysis, program evaluation, and governance while maintaining active research agendas on pressing societal problems — regulatory design, healthcare access, education reform, housing, or fiscal policy. They train the next generation of policy analysts and government officials, publish in peer-reviewed journals and policy outlets, and frequently consult for government agencies, think tanks, and nonprofits. The role sits at the intersection of rigorous social science and applied problem-solving.

Professors of Real Estate teach undergraduate and graduate courses in property valuation, real estate finance, investment analysis, and urban economics at colleges and universities. They conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, advise students and doctoral candidates, and maintain active connections with industry practitioners to keep curriculum current with market conditions.

Professors of Rehabilitation Science teach graduate and undergraduate courses in physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, or kinesiology-adjacent disciplines while maintaining an active research agenda and supervising student clinical and scholarly work. They hold faculty appointments at universities with accredited rehabilitation programs, contribute to curriculum development, and often maintain connections to clinical practice through consulting or adjunct clinical roles.

Professors of Religion teach undergraduate and graduate courses in religious studies, theology, or comparative religion while conducting original research and publishing in peer-reviewed venues. They advise students, serve on departmental and university committees, and contribute to the intellectual life of their institution. The role sits at the intersection of humanistic inquiry, critical theory, and historical scholarship — demanding sustained expertise in at least one religious tradition alongside broad familiarity with the discipline's methods.

Professors of Robotics lead undergraduate and graduate instruction in robotics systems, autonomous vehicles, human-robot interaction, and related engineering disciplines while maintaining an active research program, supervising doctoral students, and securing external funding. They sit at the intersection of mechanical engineering, computer science, and electrical engineering — designing curriculum, publishing peer-reviewed work, and translating laboratory breakthroughs into coursework that prepares the next generation of robotics engineers.

A Professor of Rural Sociology conducts original research on rural communities, agricultural systems, food security, land use, and the social dimensions of farming and natural resource management. They teach undergraduate and graduate courses, mentor students through theses and dissertations, and contribute to their institution through departmental service and public extension work. Most positions are housed in land-grant universities, agricultural colleges, or sociology departments with strong community development programs.

Professors of Social Work teach undergraduate and graduate courses in social work theory, practice methods, and policy at accredited BSW and MSW programs. They conduct original research, advise students through field education requirements, and contribute to program-level accreditation compliance under CSWE standards. At research universities, they maintain active publishing agendas and secure external grant funding; at teaching-focused institutions, course loads and community engagement take priority.

Professors of Sociology and Criminology teach undergraduate and graduate courses in social theory, crime, deviance, criminal justice systems, and research methods at colleges and universities. They conduct original scholarly research, publish peer-reviewed work, advise students at multiple levels, and contribute to departmental governance. The role sits at the intersection of academic teaching, empirical research, and applied policy engagement — demanding excellence in both classroom instruction and scholarly output.

Professors of Software Engineering teach undergraduate and graduate courses in software design, development methodologies, and systems architecture while conducting original research and advising students. They hold faculty appointments at colleges and universities, balance teaching loads with scholarship, and contribute to department governance and curriculum development. At research universities, securing external funding and publishing in peer-reviewed venues is as central to the job as classroom instruction.

Professors of Speech-Language Pathology teach graduate and undergraduate coursework in communication sciences and disorders, supervise students in university clinical practicum settings, and conduct research on speech, language, voice, fluency, or swallowing disorders. They hold terminal academic or clinical doctoral degrees, maintain ASHA certification, and are responsible for preparing the next generation of licensed SLPs while contributing original scholarship to the field.

Professors of Statistics teach undergraduate and graduate courses in statistical theory, applied methods, and data analysis while maintaining an active research program that produces peer-reviewed publications. They advise graduate students, serve on departmental and university committees, and collaborate with faculty in other disciplines who need statistical expertise for their own research programs. The role spans teaching, scholarship, and service in proportions that vary significantly by institution type.

Professors of Supply Chain Management teach undergraduate and graduate courses in logistics, procurement, operations, and global supply chain strategy while conducting original research that advances the field. They hold faculty appointments at colleges and universities — typically in business schools or industrial engineering departments — and are expected to publish peer-reviewed scholarship, secure external funding, advise students, and engage with industry through consulting, case development, and executive education programs.

A Professor of Sustainability teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on environmental systems, climate policy, sustainable development, and corporate sustainability strategy. They conduct original research, advise graduate students, and often serve as a bridge between the university and external stakeholders — government agencies, NGOs, and industry partners — advancing sustainability as both an academic discipline and applied practice.

Professors of Taxation teach graduate and undergraduate courses in federal, state, and international tax law at law schools, business schools, and accounting programs. They conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, advise students and doctoral candidates, and often consult with practitioners or government agencies. The role sits at the intersection of legal doctrine, accounting standards, and policy analysis.

Professors of Telecommunications teach undergraduate and graduate courses in wireless systems, network architecture, signal processing, broadcast media, and communications policy at accredited colleges and universities. They conduct original research, advise students, publish in peer-reviewed venues, and contribute to departmental governance. The role sits at the intersection of engineering, media studies, and public policy depending on the institutional home — whether an engineering school, a journalism college, or a communications and media department.

Professors of Theater teach undergraduate and graduate courses in acting, directing, dramaturgy, design, or theater history at colleges and universities. They direct productions, mentor student performers and designers, maintain an active creative or scholarly practice, and contribute to departmental governance. The role blends classroom instruction with rehearsal room leadership and the sustained pursuit of professional or academic work that keeps the department's curriculum credible.

Professors of Theology teach undergraduate and graduate courses in religious thought, biblical studies, systematic theology, ethics, and related disciplines at colleges, universities, and seminaries. They conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, advise students on academic and vocational formation, and contribute to institutional service through committees, curriculum development, and community engagement.

Professors of Tourism Management teach undergraduate and graduate courses in tourism planning, hospitality economics, destination marketing, and sustainable travel systems at colleges and universities. They conduct original research, publish in peer-reviewed journals, advise students, and engage with industry partners, accreditation bodies, and professional associations to keep curricula current with a rapidly shifting global tourism landscape.

A Professor of Transportation Engineering teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in traffic systems, pavement design, highway geometry, and transportation planning while maintaining an active research agenda funded by federal and state agencies. At research universities, the role demands a continuous cycle of grant writing, publication, and graduate student mentorship; at teaching-focused institutions, the classroom load is heavier and scholarship expectations are proportionally lighter. Both tracks require a doctoral degree and deep technical credibility in at least one transportation sub-discipline.

Professors of Urban Planning teach graduate and undergraduate courses on land use, housing policy, transportation systems, and community development while maintaining an active research agenda. They advise student thesis and capstone projects, engage with planning practitioners and public agencies, and contribute to departmental service. The role sits at the intersection of academic scholarship and applied policy work, requiring both rigorous research output and practical relevance to contemporary planning challenges.

Professors of Veterinary Medicine teach professional DVM students and graduate researchers in clinical and pre-clinical disciplines, conduct original research, and provide clinical service through university teaching hospitals. They hold faculty appointments at AVMA-accredited colleges of veterinary medicine, where their responsibilities span didactic instruction, laboratory supervision, case-based clinical teaching, peer-reviewed scholarship, and departmental service — often simultaneously.

Professors of Visual Arts teach studio art, art history, and visual theory courses at colleges and universities while maintaining an active creative practice that advances their field. They mentor undergraduate and graduate students through critique, independent study, and thesis advising, and contribute to department governance, curriculum development, and external exhibition work that sustains the program's professional reputation.

Professors of Women's Studies teach undergraduate and graduate courses in feminist theory, gender studies, and intersectional analysis while maintaining an active research agenda. They contribute to curriculum development, advise students, and publish peer-reviewed scholarship that advances the field. Most positions are housed in interdisciplinary programs or departments that span humanities, social sciences, and allied fields such as queer studies and critical race theory.

A Program Coordinator in education runs the daily machinery of one defined program: a TRIO project, an after-school grant, a dual-enrollment partnership, an honors college or a workforce certificate. The job sits under a program director or dean and over the tutors, part-time instructors and student workers who deliver services, and it owns schedules, budgets, participant records, partner contact and funder reports. Employers include colleges, K-12 districts, state education agencies and education nonprofits. BLS tracks no occupation by this title; using Business Operations Specialists, All Other, in colleges and universities as the proxy, May 2025 pay ran from $47,970 at the 10th percentile to $106,400 at the 90th, with a median of $66,300.

Program Directors in higher education oversee the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of academic or administrative programs at colleges, universities, and professional schools. They manage curriculum, faculty or staff coordination, accreditation compliance, enrollment targets, and budgets — sitting at the intersection of academic leadership and operational management. The role spans community colleges, four-year institutions, graduate programs, and continuing education units.

Program Managers for Higher Education oversee the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic or administrative programs at colleges and universities. They coordinate across departments, manage budgets and accreditation requirements, and serve as the operational hub that keeps complex initiatives moving from proposal to student outcome. The role blends project management discipline with a deep understanding of how academic institutions make decisions.

Program Specialists in higher education design, coordinate, and administer academic or student-facing programs at colleges, universities, and higher education agencies. They serve as the operational backbone of departments ranging from academic affairs and student services to grant-funded initiatives and continuing education — managing logistics, compliance, budgets, and stakeholder communication so that programs run on schedule and within policy.

Psychology Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in behavioral science, conduct original research, and contribute to departmental service at colleges and universities. They advise students, publish peer-reviewed work, secure external funding, and shape curriculum in subfields ranging from clinical and cognitive psychology to neuroscience and social behavior. The role demands sustained scholarly output alongside meaningful classroom presence.

Psychology Research Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of behavioral and social science studies at universities, hospitals, and research institutes. They recruit and consent participants, collect and clean data, maintain IRB compliance, and keep principal investigators on schedule and within budget. The role sits between the PI's scientific vision and the practical machinery that produces publishable results.

Psychology Teaching Assistants support faculty in delivering undergraduate psychology courses by leading discussion sections, grading assignments, holding office hours, and supervising lab sessions. Most positions are held by graduate students pursuing MA or PhD degrees in psychology, though some institutions hire post-baccalaureate or adjunct TAs. The role bridges direct student instruction with research responsibilities, and it serves as the primary professional development track for aspiring psychology faculty.

Public Administration Professors teach graduate and undergraduate courses in public policy, government management, nonprofit administration, and public finance while conducting original research that advances the field. They advise MPA and PhD students, engage with government agencies and civic organizations as subject-matter experts, and contribute to the academic and professional infrastructure that trains future public servants. The role sits at the intersection of academic scholarship and applied governance practice.

Public Administration Research Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of policy and governance research projects at universities, think tanks, and public-sector agencies. They design data collection instruments, coordinate IRB submissions, synthesize literature, and translate empirical findings into reports and presentations that inform policy decisions. The role bridges rigorous social science methodology with the practical demands of government and nonprofit stakeholders.

Public Administration Teaching Assistants support faculty in graduate and undergraduate public administration programs — grading policy analysis papers, leading discussion sections, tutoring students on quantitative methods, and assisting with course material development. They work primarily in MPA programs, public policy schools, and political science departments, and most are enrolled in doctoral or advanced master's programs while holding the position.

Public Health Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, or community health while maintaining an active research agenda and providing service to their institution and professional community. They train the next generation of public health practitioners, earn external grants, publish peer-reviewed scholarship, and often consult with government agencies, health departments, or community organizations on real-world problems.

Public Health Research Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of epidemiological studies, community health interventions, and clinical trials at universities, schools of public health, and research institutes. They recruit and retain study participants, maintain regulatory compliance under IRB protocols, collect and clean data, and keep principal investigators on schedule and within budget. The role sits at the intersection of research methodology, community engagement, and project administration.

Public Health Teaching Assistants support faculty instruction in undergraduate and graduate public health courses — leading discussion sections, grading assignments, holding office hours, and helping students work through epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, and community health content. Most positions are held by graduate students enrolled in MPH or doctoral programs, though some universities hire post-baccalaureate and staff TAs for high-enrollment survey courses.

A Public Relations Coordinator for Higher Education manages the external and internal communications that shape how a college or university is perceived by students, families, donors, media, and the broader public. Working within a university communications or marketing office, they write press releases, pitch stories to journalists, coordinate media inquiries, and support crisis communications — all while navigating the layered governance and sensitivity that make higher education PR distinct from corporate or agency work.

Reading Coaches are specialized literacy educators who work alongside classroom teachers to improve reading instruction across a school or district. Rather than teaching students directly as their primary function, they provide job-embedded professional development, model evidence-based literacy strategies, analyze student assessment data, and help teachers adapt instruction for struggling and advanced readers alike. The role sits at the intersection of instruction and coaching, requiring deep knowledge of the science of reading and the interpersonal skill to change adult practice.

Reading Specialists are certified literacy professionals who diagnose reading difficulties, deliver targeted intervention instruction, and support classroom teachers in building effective reading programs across grade levels. They work with struggling readers one-on-one and in small groups, administer formal and informal literacy assessments, and serve as the building-level expert on evidence-based reading instruction — from phonemic awareness and decoding to fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

Reading Teachers in higher education design and deliver developmental and college-level reading instruction to undergraduate students who need to strengthen literacy, comprehension, and academic reading skills before or alongside credit-bearing coursework. They work in developmental education programs, learning centers, and English departments at community colleges, four-year universities, and technical schools, often serving first-generation, returning adult, and multilingual learners.

Real Estate Research Coordinators at colleges, universities, and research institutions support faculty, centers, and policy units studying housing markets, commercial property trends, land use, and real estate finance. They gather and analyze market data, manage research databases, assist with grant administration, and coordinate publications and outreach — serving as the operational backbone of academic real estate research programs.

Real Estate Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in pre-licensing courses, continuing education programs, and university real estate curricula by facilitating student learning, grading assessments, managing course materials, and providing one-on-one tutoring on topics ranging from contract law to appraisal principles. The role bridges administrative coordination and substantive academic support, requiring genuine fluency with real estate concepts and state licensing requirements.

A Registrar is the college or university administrator who keeps the official academic record: registration, grades, transcripts, degree certification and the enrollment data behind federal and state reports. The registrar answers for whether a transcript is accurate and whether a student has truly met graduation requirements, and decides how the institution's academic rules apply to each student. The title spans a wide range, from a small office at a private college to a university registrar managing a large staff and a student information system such as Banner or Workday Student. Our editorial estimate puts pay at $65K to $135K, with a midpoint near $90K.

Rehabilitation Science Research Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of clinical and translational research studies within academic rehabilitation science departments, hospitals, and research institutes. They recruit and screen participants, maintain regulatory compliance, collect and manage data, and keep investigators on schedule and within budget. The role sits at the intersection of clinical knowledge, research methodology, and administrative precision.

Rehabilitation Science Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate and graduate programs covering physical therapy, occupational therapy, kinesiology, and related allied health disciplines. They lead lab sections, grade assessments, tutor students in anatomy and clinical reasoning, and assist with course logistics — serving as the frontline academic support between students and professors in technically demanding health science curricula.

Religion Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in religious studies, theology, or related disciplines while conducting original research and contributing to departmental service. They work at colleges, universities, and seminaries, covering topics ranging from comparative religion and biblical studies to ethics, Islamic thought, or religion and public life. The role blends classroom instruction, scholarly publication, advising students, and participation in the broader academic community.

Religion Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in delivering religious studies, theology, or faith-based curriculum across K-12 private schools, parochial institutions, and university departments. They work directly with students in classroom and small-group settings, assist with lesson preparation, grade assessments, and help maintain the pastoral and academic environment the institution requires. The role sits at the intersection of educational support and religious community life.

Religious Studies Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in the academic study of religion — covering traditions, texts, theology, history, ethics, and theory — while maintaining an active research agenda and contributing to departmental service. They work at liberal arts colleges, research universities, community colleges, and seminaries, where expectations for teaching load, publication output, and administrative involvement vary significantly by institution type.

A Research Assistant carries out the hands-on work of a study for a principal investigator: recruiting participants, running sessions, collecting and cleaning data, managing literature, and drafting methods text. Positions are found in universities, research centers, survey organizations and government-funded projects. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the closest occupation, social science research assistants, and reports a May 2025 median wage of $61,990, with the 10th percentile at $38,090 and the 90th at $102,070. The role can lead to graduate school or a research staff career.

Research Assistants in higher education support faculty investigators, principal investigators, and research centers by collecting and analyzing data, managing literature reviews, coordinating participant recruitment, and maintaining compliance with institutional protocols. They work across disciplines — social sciences, STEM, humanities, clinical research — and their output directly feeds peer-reviewed publications, grant reports, and policy work. The role is a primary entry point into academic research careers and doctoral programs.

Research Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of academic and institutional research projects — handling IRB submissions, recruiting and consenting study participants, coordinating data collection, and keeping investigators on schedule and in compliance. They sit at the intersection of scientific work and administrative execution, translating a principal investigator's research design into a functioning, auditable study that meets federal, institutional, and funder requirements.

Research Coordinators in higher education manage the operational and administrative infrastructure of faculty research programs — coordinating study protocols, grant submissions, IRB compliance, participant recruitment, and data collection across one or more active projects. They sit between principal investigators and the procedural systems that make funded research possible, keeping timelines, budgets, and regulatory requirements aligned so faculty can focus on the science.

A resource teacher is a licensed special educator based in a regular school who teaches students with disabilities one-on-one or in small groups for part of the school day, then helps those same students succeed in their general education classes. The job combines direct instruction in reading, writing and math with case management: writing and updating individualized education programs (IEPs), tracking progress, and meeting with families and colleagues. Federal wage data for special education teachers put the May 2025 median at $67,170, with the 10th percentile at $49,230 and the 90th at $105,020. Most special education teachers work in public schools.

School Administrators manage the daily operations, staff, budgets, and academic programs of elementary, middle, high schools, or educational institutions. They translate district policy into building-level practice, supervise teachers and support staff, respond to student discipline and family concerns, and are ultimately accountable for the safety, culture, and academic performance of everyone in the building.

School Administrators for Higher Education manage the operational, academic, and administrative functions that keep colleges and universities running — from registrar and enrollment services to academic affairs, student life, and institutional compliance. They work at the intersection of faculty governance, regulatory requirements, and student experience, ensuring institutional policies translate into coherent day-to-day operations across departments.

School Athletic Directors manage the overall operations of a school or college's athletic department, overseeing coaching staff, budgets, facilities, eligibility compliance, and strategic direction. They hire and evaluate coaches, negotiate contracts, ensure Title IX compliance, manage relationships with governing bodies, and represent the athletic program to institutional leadership, parents, and the public.

School Athletic Trainers are licensed healthcare professionals who prevent, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal injuries and illnesses in athletes and active populations. Working in schools, colleges, professional sports, military settings, and sports medicine clinics, they design injury prevention programs, provide on-field emergency care, manage rehabilitation, and coordinate with physicians to return athletes to competition safely.

School Bus Drivers transport students safely between home, school, and activity sites while maintaining order aboard the vehicle and complying with all state transportation regulations. They operate Type A, C, or D school buses on fixed routes, conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections, and serve as the first point of contact for students and parents during daily commutes. The role combines professional driving, child supervision, and mechanical awareness in a schedule that mirrors the school calendar.

School Community Outreach Coordinators build and maintain relationships between organizations — schools, colleges, nonprofits, government agencies, and healthcare systems — and the communities they serve. They develop outreach strategies, coordinate events and programs, manage partnerships with community organizations, and ensure that services reach the people who need them most, with particular attention to historically underserved and underrepresented populations.

School Coordinators manage the day-to-day operational, programmatic, or instructional functions of a school or educational department, depending on their specialty. They serve as the connective tissue between teachers, administrators, families, and external partners — keeping schedules aligned, programs running, and compliance requirements met. The role spans K-12 districts, charter networks, community colleges, and university departments, with scope ranging from a single program to school-wide operations.

A school counselor is a certified educator who runs a K-12 school's counseling program: individual and small-group counseling, classroom lessons, academic and postsecondary advising, and referrals when a student needs more help than the building can give. The job sits inside the student services team of a public or private school, reporting to a principal or a district counseling director. Pay tracks the federal occupation for educational, guidance and career counselors, where the May 2025 median was $64,330 a year, with the 10th percentile at $45,020 and the 90th at $104,770.

A School District Director of Human Resources in an educational institution manages the employment lifecycle for faculty, staff, and administrators — from recruitment and hiring through compensation, benefits, performance management, labor relations, and separations. They ensure compliance with federal and state employment law, support institutional culture and equity goals, and serve as a strategic partner to department heads and senior leadership on workforce planning.

School District Systems Administrators in education manage the servers, networks, identity systems, and endpoint devices that keep classrooms, administrative offices, and learning platforms running. They balance tight budgets and diverse user populations — from kindergartners to doctoral faculty — while maintaining uptime, security, and compliance with FERPA and other student-data regulations. The role sits at the center of every major technology initiative a school district or university undertakes.

A school librarian is a certified educator who runs the library in an elementary, middle or high school. The job blends teaching and stewardship: showing students how to find, judge and cite information, building a print and digital collection that matches the curriculum, and planning research units alongside classroom teachers. School librarians work on the instructional staff of public and private schools and report to a principal; larger districts may add a library coordinator who sets policy. BLS counts them among librarians and media collections specialists, an occupation whose May 2025 median wage was $68,270, with the lowest 10 percent earning under $43,660 and the highest 10 percent above $103,990.

School Occupational Therapists in school settings evaluate and treat students whose physical, sensory, cognitive, or behavioral challenges interfere with their ability to participate in the educational environment. They develop individualized intervention plans, collaborate with teachers and IEP teams, and provide direct therapy and consultative services that help students access the curriculum, manage daily school routines, and build functional independence from early intervention through transition-age programs.

A School Office Clerk runs the clerical side of a school's front office: recording attendance, keeping enrollment and student records current, answering phones and the counter, and handling the paperwork that moves between families, teachers and the principal. The work belongs to the federal Office Clerks, General occupation, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that many general office clerks work in schools. In May 2025 that occupation paid a median of $45,010, with the 10th percentile at $30,310 and the 90th at $64,680. Entry usually requires a high school diploma, and most of the job is learned on site.

A school psychologist is a graduate-trained specialist who works inside schools to figure out why students struggle and what to do about it. The job combines psychoeducational evaluation for special education eligibility, behavior assessment, counseling, teacher consultation, and crisis response, and the position is housed in a district's special education or student services department. Unlike a school counselor, the psychologist owns the formal assessment and the written report that IEP teams rely on. According to BLS, school psychologists earned a median of $95,990 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $63,070 and the 90th percentile at $142,330.

School Secretaries run the front office of a K-12 school, managing phones, visitor check-in, student records, attendance, and administrative support for the principal and teaching staff. They are usually the first point of contact for parents and district personnel, and their accuracy in the student information system underpins everything from daily attendance reporting to emergency contact calls. The role blends clerical precision with steady interpersonal demands in a public-service environment where the phone, the front door, and the principal often compete for attention at once.

A school social worker is a social worker employed by a school district or school to clear away the home, community and mental health problems that keep students from learning. The job sits on the student support team beside counselors, school psychologists and nurses, and it carries defined duties under special education law, from social histories to counseling written into IEPs. Daily work means attendance cases, crisis response, family outreach and referrals to outside agencies. BLS counts the role inside Child, Family, and School Social Workers, an occupation that paid a median of $59,550 in May 2025, with the 10th to 90th percentile running from $42,280 to $95,530.

School Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) assess, diagnose, and treat communication disorders — including articulation, fluency, language processing, voice, and swallowing — across children and adults in school, clinical, and medical settings. In educational environments, SLPs serve students on IEPs, collaborate with teachers and special education teams, and deliver direct therapy alongside consultative and push-in support. The role combines deep clinical judgment with caseload management, documentation, and stakeholder communication.

School Volunteer Coordinators recruit, train, place, and retain volunteers who support teachers, after-school programs, and community initiatives. They are the operational hub connecting willing community members with meaningful roles inside schools, districts, and nonprofit education organizations. Strong coordinators turn one-time donors of time into long-term institutional partners.

Science Education Specialists design, implement, and evaluate science curriculum and instructional programs for K-12 schools, district offices, or educational organizations. They bridge the gap between scientific content and effective classroom pedagogy — supporting teachers, aligning curriculum to standards, and ensuring students develop genuine scientific literacy. The role sits at the intersection of subject-matter expertise and instructional coaching.

Science Instructors design and deliver laboratory and classroom instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, or integrated science courses across K–12 schools, community colleges, and technical programs. They develop curriculum aligned to state standards, manage laboratory environments safely, assess student mastery, and translate abstract scientific concepts into hands-on learning experiences that build lasting disciplinary thinking.

Science Professors teach undergraduate and graduate students across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, or earth sciences while conducting original research, mentoring student researchers, and contributing to departmental and institutional service. At research universities, the role demands sustained external funding and peer-reviewed publication alongside heavy teaching loads. At teaching-focused institutions, instruction and curriculum development dominate the position.

Science Research Coordinators manage the operational infrastructure of scientific research programs in universities, K-12 school districts, nonprofit research centers, and government-funded educational initiatives. They coordinate study protocols, manage grant compliance, liaise between investigators and participants, and keep research timelines on track — translating scientific objectives into executable project plans without conducting the primary research themselves.

Science Specialists support science instruction across schools or districts by coaching teachers, developing curriculum aligned to NGSS or state standards, managing lab resources, and leading professional development. They bridge the gap between classroom teachers and district curriculum goals, ensuring students receive rigorous, inquiry-based science education from elementary through high school. Most positions sit at the district level, though building-based specialists are common in larger urban systems.

Science Teachers design and deliver instruction in biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, or integrated science courses at the middle or high school level. They manage laboratory environments, align curriculum to state standards, assess student learning through formal and informal methods, and mentor students toward scientific literacy and, for many, careers in STEM fields.

Secondary Education Coordinators oversee curriculum development, instructional quality, and academic programming across middle and high school grades within a district or school network. They serve as the operational link between district leadership and classroom teachers — translating instructional policy into practical implementation, managing federal and state compliance requirements, and supporting teacher development through coaching and professional learning. The role sits at the intersection of pedagogy, administration, and data analysis.

A Secondary School Teacher teaches one or more academic subjects, such as English, math, science, social studies or a world language, to students in public, charter and private high schools. The job combines lesson design, teaching several sections a day, grading, record keeping in district software, carrying out IEP and Section 504 accommodations, and regular contact with families. Public school teachers hold a state license for the grade levels they teach. In May 2025, BLS put the median wage for secondary school teachers at $72,040, with $48,780 at the 10th percentile and $107,600 at the 90th.

Social Science Instructors teach subjects including sociology, psychology, economics, political science, anthropology, and geography at the secondary or postsecondary level. They design and deliver curriculum, evaluate student performance, and help students develop critical thinking skills by applying social science frameworks to contemporary issues. The role spans public high schools, community colleges, and four-year universities, with significant variation in autonomy and research expectations depending on the setting.

Social Science Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in disciplines such as sociology, political science, economics, psychology, anthropology, or geography while maintaining active research agendas and contributing to departmental governance. At research universities, publication output and external grant funding drive tenure and promotion decisions; at teaching-focused institutions, course load and pedagogical innovation carry more weight. The role requires sustained expertise in a specialized subfield alongside the ability to teach broadly across the discipline.

Social Science Research Coordinators manage the operational and administrative infrastructure of social science studies — recruiting and tracking participants, coordinating data collection, maintaining IRB compliance, and supporting faculty principal investigators or research teams. They sit at the intersection of research methodology and project management, ensuring that studies run on schedule, within protocol, and with data integrity that holds up to peer review or policy scrutiny.

Social Science Specialists design, implement, and evaluate research-based programs and curricula that draw on disciplines including sociology, economics, political science, anthropology, and psychology. Working across K-12 districts, universities, government agencies, and research institutes, they translate social science evidence into instructional materials, policy recommendations, and program assessments that improve learning outcomes and institutional decision-making.

Social Work Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in social work theory, practice methods, policy, and research at accredited colleges and universities. They advise students pursuing BSW and MSW degrees, maintain an active research or scholarship agenda, and contribute to program accreditation through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Most positions require both academic credentials and direct clinical or community practice experience.

Social Work Research Coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of social work research studies at universities, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations. They recruit and screen study participants, maintain IRB compliance, collect and manage data, and support principal investigators in producing findings that inform policy and direct practice. The role sits at the intersection of research rigor and community engagement, requiring equal fluency in spreadsheets and social service systems.

Sociology Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses on social structures, inequality, culture, and human behavior while maintaining an active research agenda and contributing to departmental governance. They hold terminal degrees in sociology or a closely related discipline, advise students at multiple levels, and are expected to publish original scholarship through peer-reviewed journals, books, or funded projects. The role spans community colleges with heavy teaching loads to research-intensive R1 universities where grant acquisition and publication record drive tenure decisions.

Sociology Research Coordinators manage the operational and administrative backbone of empirical social science studies at universities, research institutes, and policy organizations. They oversee data collection, coordinate field teams, maintain IRB compliance, and keep multi-year projects on schedule and within budget. The role sits between the principal investigator setting the research agenda and the analysts running statistical models — making sure the infrastructure for both exists and functions.

Spanish Lab Instructors guide students through oral, listening, and interactive practice sessions in a dedicated language laboratory or hybrid digital environment, reinforcing what classroom instructors teach. They manage language lab software, design drill and conversation exercises, assess pronunciation and fluency progress, and provide individualized feedback to learners at all proficiency levels — from heritage speakers to true beginners.

Spanish Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Spanish language, literature, linguistics, and culture at two- and four-year colleges and universities. They conduct original research, advise students, contribute to curriculum development, and participate in departmental service — all while maintaining active scholarly or creative production in their area of specialization within Hispanic or Lusophone studies.

Spanish Research Assistants support faculty, principal investigators, and research teams working on projects that require Spanish-language expertise — from bilingual education studies and Hispanic community health research to Latin American literature archives and language acquisition experiments. They combine fluency in Spanish with research methodology skills to collect data, conduct interviews, translate documents, and analyze findings across academic and applied research environments.

Spanish Teaching Assistants support lead teachers and professors by reinforcing Spanish language instruction through small-group practice, conversation sessions, and individualized student support. They work in K-12 classrooms, university language departments, and bilingual education programs — bridging the gap between formal grammar instruction and the real conversational fluency that students need to advance.

A Special Education Aide is a school paraprofessional who works under a licensed special education teacher to deliver the instruction, behavior supports and personal care written into students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The job sits in resource rooms, self-contained classrooms, inclusion settings and one-on-one assignments, from preschool classrooms through high school transition programs. BLS counts the role within Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary, noting that some teacher assistants work exclusively with special education students. That occupation's May 2025 national pay ran from $27,150 at the 10th percentile to $50,040 at the 90th, with a median of $36,780. Day to day, the work splits between teaching a plan someone else wrote, collecting data on it, and keeping students safe.

A Special Education Assistant is a school paraprofessional who carries out the instructional, behavioral and personal-care pieces of a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) under the direction of a licensed special education teacher. The job sits in K-12 public schools, special education cooperatives and private day schools, and the same work also goes by titles such as paraeducator, instructional aide and education assistant. The teacher designs instruction and owns IEP decisions; the assistant delivers the plan, collects the data and handles the physical support. BLS counts the role within Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary, where May 2025 national pay ran from $27,150 at the 10th percentile to $50,040 at the 90th, with a median of $36,780.

Special Education Coordinators oversee the delivery of legally compliant special education services across a school or district, making sure students with disabilities receive the instruction and support their IEPs require under IDEA. They manage IEP timelines and meetings, supervise or support special education staff, liaise with families and outside agencies, and serve as the district's front-line compliance authority for special education law. The role sits between direct service delivery and district administration, closer in pay and scope to an instructional coordinator than to a building principal, though pay is higher for coordinators who move into a district's Director of Special Education seat.

Special Education Paraprofessionals work under a certified teacher's direction to deliver individualized academic support, behavioral intervention, and daily living assistance to students with disabilities in K-12 settings. They implement IEP accommodations, collect progress data, assist with personal care and mobility needs, and help students access the general curriculum across inclusion, resource room, and self-contained classrooms. Federal Title I rules and state assessments set the entry bar, while individual districts layer on crisis intervention training, behavior support protocols, and assistive technology skills such as AAC devices and digital data collection tools.

Special Education Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in disability theory, inclusive pedagogy, applied behavior analysis, and special education law at colleges and universities. They prepare future special educators, school psychologists, and related service providers while conducting research on learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, assistive technology, or policy. Most tenure-track positions require a doctoral degree, a record of peer-reviewed scholarship, and prior clinical or classroom experience working with students with disabilities.

Special Education Research Coordinators design, manage, and analyze studies that evaluate instructional interventions, compliance programs, and service delivery models for students with disabilities. They bridge the gap between academic research and classroom practice — translating findings into policy recommendations, training materials, and data-driven improvements to IEP processes. Most positions sit within university research centers, state education agencies, or large K-12 districts with federally funded special education grants.

Special Education Resource Teachers provide individualized academic instruction and support to students with disabilities in pull-out or push-in settings, working within the general education environment while managing a caseload of students under federally mandated Individualized Education Programs. They collaborate with general education teachers, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists, and families to design and deliver instruction that addresses each student's unique learning needs across cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional domains.

A Special Education Teacher plans and delivers instruction for students with disabilities who qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and writes and carries out each student's individualized education program (IEP). The work happens in resource rooms, self-contained classrooms and co-taught general education classes, from preschool through high school, and the teacher also acts as case manager for a roster of IEPs. In May 2025, BLS put pay for the broad Special Education Teachers occupation at $49,230 for the 10th percentile, $67,170 at the median and $105,020 for the 90th percentile.

A special education teaching assistant, also called a paraprofessional or paraeducator, works under a licensed special education teacher to carry out instruction, behavior plans and daily care for students with disabilities. The job sits inside schools: inclusion classrooms, resource rooms and self-contained programs for students with significant needs. The assistant runs the teacher's plan rather than writing it, which makes accurate data collection and calm, consistent follow-through the core of the work. BLS counts the role under Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary, where the May 2025 median wage was $36,780, with the 10th percentile at $27,150 and the 90th at $50,040. Actual pay tracks the local district salary schedule.

Speech Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in oral communication, public speaking, rhetoric, interpersonal communication, and related disciplines at two-year colleges and four-year universities. They design curriculum, mentor students, conduct original research or creative scholarship, and serve on departmental and institutional committees — balancing classroom instruction with the scholarly and service obligations that define faculty life.

Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Professors teach graduate and undergraduate courses in communication sciences and disorders, supervise student clinical practicums, and maintain active research agendas in preparation for tenure review. They work within university Communication Sciences and Disorders departments, balancing classroom instruction, clinical education, scholarly output, and professional service to ASHA, state licensure boards, and CAA accreditation bodies.

Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Coordinators manage the practicum infrastructure of university SLP programs — placing graduate students in clinical sites, supervising direct service delivery, maintaining ASHA accreditation compliance, and ensuring every student accumulates the clinical clock hours required for the Certificate of Clinical Competence. The role bridges academic faculty, off-campus supervisors, and clinical directors to produce job-ready, ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists.

Sports Coaches plan and lead athletic training, skill development, and competitive programs for student-athletes at the K-12, collegiate, or community level. They design practice sessions, manage game-day strategy, monitor athlete well-being, ensure compliance with governing body rules, and serve as educators whose influence extends well beyond the playing field or court.

Statistics Research Coordinators manage the quantitative infrastructure of academic and institutional research projects — designing data collection instruments, overseeing data integrity, running statistical analyses, and translating results into formats usable by principal investigators, grant writers, and policy stakeholders. They sit at the intersection of methodology and project operations, ensuring that a study's analytical plan is executed accurately from data entry through final reporting.

Statistics Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate and graduate statistics courses by leading discussion sections, grading assignments, holding office hours, and providing one-on-one tutoring. The role is typically held by graduate students in statistics, biostatistics, mathematics, or a quantitative social science, combining teaching responsibilities with progress toward their own research and degree requirements.

Student Activities Coordinators plan, organize, and oversee extracurricular programs, campus events, student organizations, and co-curricular initiatives that support student engagement and development. Working at colleges, universities, or K-12 schools, they serve as the operational hub between administration, faculty, student leaders, and external vendors — turning institutional goals for student life into programs that actually run.

Student Advisors guide students through academic planning, course selection, degree requirements, and institutional resources — helping them stay enrolled, on track, and progressing toward their goals. Working at community colleges, universities, or K-12 schools, they manage caseloads ranging from 200 to 600 students, interpret transcript data, connect students with financial aid and support services, and intervene early when academic performance signals risk of dropout.

Student Affairs Administrators oversee the co-curricular programs, support services, and policy infrastructure that shape undergraduate and graduate student life outside the classroom. Working within colleges and universities, they manage residential life, student conduct, counseling coordination, campus organizations, and crisis response — translating institutional mission into day-to-day experiences that affect retention, wellbeing, and graduation outcomes.

Student Affairs Coordinators manage programs, services, and administrative functions that support students outside the classroom at colleges, universities, and secondary institutions. They serve as a direct point of contact for student concerns, coordinate co-curricular activities, and ensure that institutional support systems — from housing and conduct to orientation and retention initiatives — run effectively and stay aligned with federal compliance requirements.

A Student Affairs Director leads the administrative and programmatic functions that support students outside the classroom — housing, counseling, student activities, career services, and conduct. They manage professional staff, set divisional priorities aligned with institutional strategy, and serve as the senior advocate ensuring student well-being, retention, and success across the full arc of the undergraduate or graduate experience.

Student Affairs Research Coordinators design, execute, and report on assessment and research initiatives that help colleges and universities understand how students are developing, persisting, and succeeding. They sit at the intersection of data analysis and student services — translating survey results, retention data, and program evaluations into actionable recommendations that division leaders use to make staffing, programming, and policy decisions.

Student Affairs Teaching Assistants work at the intersection of academic instruction and student support in colleges and universities. They assist faculty with course delivery, grade assignments, lead discussion sections, hold office hours, and coordinate with student affairs offices on retention and engagement initiatives. The role is commonly held by graduate students or early-career professionals building toward faculty or student affairs administrative careers.

Student Development Coordinators design, implement, and oversee programs that support students' academic progress, social-emotional growth, and transition milestones — from orientation through graduation and beyond. Working across higher education campuses, K-12 districts, and nonprofits, they connect students to resources, coordinate co-curricular programming, and track outcomes data to demonstrate program effectiveness. The role sits at the intersection of advising, program management, and student advocacy.

Student Development Research Coordinators design and manage research studies that measure how institutional programs, services, and interventions affect student learning, persistence, and outcomes. They sit at the intersection of institutional research and student affairs, collecting and analyzing data from surveys, administrative records, and program assessments to inform decisions about advising, housing, financial aid, and co-curricular programming. The role requires both quantitative literacy and enough organizational fluency to translate data into recommendations that administrators will actually act on.

Student Development Teaching Assistants support lead teachers and faculty in delivering instruction, monitoring student progress, and facilitating the academic and social growth of learners across K-12 classrooms, special education settings, and college-level courses. They work directly with students in small-group and one-on-one settings, assist in lesson preparation, track behavioral and academic data, and help create an environment where every student can make measurable progress.

Student Life Coordinators design, manage, and assess co-curricular programming that connects students to campus or school community outside the classroom. They oversee student organizations, plan events, advise student government, and serve as the institutional point of contact for anything from orientation week to club charter renewals — working across academic affairs, housing, counseling, and administration to build environments where students persist and thrive.

A Student Life Director oversees the co-curricular experience at a college or university — managing student organizations, campus programming, residence life integration, and wellness initiatives that shape student development outside the classroom. They lead professional and paraprofessional staff, set strategy for student engagement, and serve as the institution's primary advocate for student well-being and a thriving campus community.

Student Union Representatives serve as elected or appointed liaisons between the student body and institutional administration, advocating for student interests across academic policy, campus services, and resource allocation. They attend governance meetings, communicate student concerns to faculty and administration, and lead initiatives that shape campus life. The role sits at the intersection of democratic process, institutional politics, and practical project management — developing leadership skills that translate directly into public policy, law, nonprofit, and organizational management careers.

Study Abroad Coordinators manage international education programs at colleges and universities, guiding students through program selection, application processes, visa requirements, and pre-departure preparation. They partner with partner institutions abroad, maintain compliance with institutional and federal regulations, and serve as the primary point of contact for students navigating the logistical and academic complexities of studying in another country.

Study Abroad Directors lead the design, administration, and strategic growth of a college or university's international education programs. They oversee program portfolios spanning dozens of countries, manage advising staff, negotiate agreements with foreign partner institutions, and ensure student safety, financial compliance, and equitable access across all outbound programs. The role blends academic affairs, risk management, budget ownership, and intercultural education into a single position.

A Superintendent is the chief executive of a public school district, hired by the board of education and accountable to it for how the district performs. The superintendent turns board policy into daily operations: recommending the budget, leading the cabinet and principals, directing labor relations and facilities work, and answering to families and the state for student results. Federal wage data group the job with chief executives. In May 2025, BLS reported a median annual wage of $176,720 for chief executives in elementary and secondary schools, with the 10th percentile at $109,430 and the 90th at $320,510.

A Superintendent of Schools is the chief executive officer of a school district, accountable to the elected or appointed board of education for every operational, instructional, financial, and personnel decision made across the district. They set the educational vision, manage cabinet-level administrators, negotiate labor contracts, and serve as the primary liaison between the board, community, and state education agency. The role demands policy fluency, political acuity, and a demonstrated record of improving student outcomes at scale.

Education Supervisors oversee instructional staff, curriculum implementation, and program quality within schools, districts, or postsecondary institutions. They bridge classroom practice and administrative policy — observing teachers, analyzing student performance data, coordinating professional development, and ensuring that district or institutional standards translate into consistent learning outcomes across the classrooms and programs they supervise.

Supply Chain Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in logistics, procurement, operations management, and global supply chain strategy while conducting research that advances the field. They work at business schools, engineering colleges, and polytechnic universities, balancing classroom instruction with scholarly publication, industry consulting, and curriculum development. Many hold prior industry roles in operations, purchasing, or distribution before transitioning to academia.

Supply Chain Research Coordinators at universities and research institutions manage the procurement, tracking, and logistics of materials, equipment, and reagents that support active research programs. They sit at the intersection of academic administration and operational supply chain — ensuring that labs, field teams, and research centers get what they need without running afoul of federal grant regulations, export controls, or institutional purchasing policy. The role requires fluency in both research operations and procurement systems.

Supply Chain Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate and graduate supply chain management, logistics, and operations courses at colleges and universities. They run discussion sections, grade assignments and case analyses, hold office hours, and help students work through quantitative methods — inventory modeling, demand forecasting, network optimization — that sit at the core of modern supply chain curricula. Most positions are held by graduate students or early-career professionals bridging academic and industry experience.

Sustainability Research Coordinators at colleges and universities manage the administrative, logistical, and analytical backbone of sustainability-focused research programs. They connect faculty investigators, graduate students, external partners, and funding agencies to keep projects on timeline, on budget, and producing publishable results. The role sits at the intersection of environmental science, higher education administration, and policy analysis.

Sustainability Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in delivering environmental science, green practices, and sustainability curriculum across K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. They facilitate hands-on learning activities, manage classroom and campus sustainability projects, and help students connect ecological principles to real-world applications. The role sits at the intersection of education and environmental advocacy, requiring both pedagogical skill and genuine fluency in sustainability concepts.

Taxation Research Coordinators at colleges and universities manage the institution's tax compliance research function — analyzing federal and state tax law, coordinating IRS filings, supporting faculty and staff with tax-related inquiries, and ensuring the institution's tax-exempt status remains defensible under audit. They sit at the intersection of higher education finance, legal compliance, and policy research, translating complex tax code into actionable guidance for administrators and department heads.

Taxation Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate and graduate tax courses — grading assignments, leading discussion sections, tutoring students on federal and state tax concepts, and preparing instructional materials. The role sits at the intersection of academic pedagogy and applied tax knowledge, making it a common stepping stone for law graduates, accounting doctoral students, and CPA candidates who want teaching experience alongside technical depth.

A teacher plans and delivers instruction to a group of students in a K-12 public, charter or private school. Elementary teachers usually stay with one class and cover most subjects, while middle and high school teachers specialize in a subject and teach several sections a day. The job blends lesson design, assessment, classroom management and contact with families, and public school teachers need a state license for the grade band they teach. For preschool through secondary teachers combined, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median of $63,250, with the 10th to 90th percentile spanning $44,050 to $103,200.

A Teacher Assistant works under a licensed teacher to give students extra instruction and supervision: reviewing lessons with small groups, carrying out IEP accommodations, recording progress data and covering lunch, recess and hallways. The teacher designs the instruction and owns the grades; the assistant delivers parts of that plan and keeps the room running. BLS estimated 1,185,500 teaching assistants in elementary and secondary schools in May 2025. In that industry the median annual wage was $36,990, with the 10th percentile at $26,950 and the 90th at $50,850.

A Teacher Assistant (TA) to a Professor supports undergraduate and graduate instruction at a college or university by leading discussion sections, grading assignments, holding office hours, and assisting faculty with course administration and research. Most TAs are enrolled graduate students who receive a stipend and tuition waiver in exchange for part-time instructional duties, typically capped at 20 hours per week per appointment.

Teacher Education Assistant Professors prepare the next generation of K-12 teachers through methods courses, clinical supervision, and field placement coordination at colleges and universities. They hold tenure-track or lecturer appointments within education departments, balance teaching loads with scholarly research, and work closely with local school districts to ensure candidates are classroom-ready. The role demands both academic rigor and deep familiarity with K-12 realities.

Teacher Education Research Coordinators design, manage, and disseminate research studies that examine teacher preparation programs, instructional effectiveness, and educator workforce trends. Sitting at the intersection of academia, policy, and practice, they work in university schools of education, state education agencies, nonprofit research organizations, and district-level research offices — translating empirical findings into actionable guidance for faculty, administrators, and policymakers.

Teacher Education Teaching Assistants support lead teachers in classroom instruction, student supervision, and curriculum delivery across K-12 schools, community colleges, and university teacher-preparation programs. They work directly with students — including those with learning disabilities or language barriers — under a licensed teacher's supervision, reinforcing lessons, collecting data on student progress, and managing small-group instruction. The role serves both as an essential classroom support function and as a practical training ground for candidates pursuing full teaching licensure.

Teacher Trainers — also called instructional coaches or professional development specialists — design and deliver training programs that strengthen the pedagogical skills of classroom educators. They observe instruction, provide structured feedback, facilitate workshops, and guide teachers through curriculum implementation, assessment strategies, and classroom management techniques. The role sits at the intersection of adult learning theory and practical K-12 or post-secondary classroom realities.

A Teacher's Aide is a school employee who works under the direction of a licensed teacher, reinforcing lessons with individual students and small groups, carrying out accommodations for students with disabilities, and supervising children in hallways, cafeterias and on the playground. It is a support role, not a teaching position. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the national median wage for teaching assistants at $36,780 in May 2025, with the lowest-paid tenth earning under $27,150 and the top tenth above $50,040. Each district sets its own salary schedule, and in some states that schedule is bargained with a union.

Technology Coordinators in education manage the hardware, software, network infrastructure, and digital learning tools that keep schools and districts running. They serve as the bridge between instructional staff and IT systems — configuring devices, training teachers, supporting learning management platforms, and ensuring the technology environment meets both pedagogical and compliance requirements. The role sits at the intersection of technical administration and educational support.

Technology Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in areas such as computer science, information systems, cybersecurity, software engineering, or engineering technology at colleges and universities. They design curriculum, advise students, conduct or support research, and stay current with an industry that changes faster than most academic disciplines. The role sits at the intersection of technical depth and classroom craft — both are required.

Technology Teachers design and deliver instruction in computer science, digital literacy, coding, and information technology concepts to K-12 students. They manage classroom labs, integrate emerging tools into curricula, and collaborate with other teachers to embed technology skills across subject areas. The role sits at the intersection of pedagogy and technical fluency — requiring someone who can debug a Python script in one moment and explain abstract computational thinking to a ten-year-old in the next.

Technology Teaching Assistants support lead teachers and instructional staff by integrating digital tools, managing classroom hardware and software, and providing direct technical help to students during lessons. Working in K-12 schools, community colleges, or training centers, they bridge the gap between curriculum goals and the technology platforms — LMS systems, interactive displays, coding environments, and accessibility tools — that deliver instruction.

A test administrator, often called a proctor, runs standardized exams under controlled conditions: checking identities, reading scripted directions, timing sections, delivering approved accommodations, guarding secure materials and documenting anything that could affect a score. The work happens in K-12 schools during state and college admissions testing, in college testing centers, and at commercial centers that deliver licensing and certification exams. BLS does not track the title separately. In colleges and universities, the nearest catch-all occupation, Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other, had a May 2025 median of $34,600, with the 10th to 90th percentile running from $30,120 to $66,300.

A testing coordinator plans and runs standardized testing for a school or district: state accountability tests, college-readiness exams such as the SAT Suite, and federal samples such as NAEP. The job covers scheduling, secure materials, staff training, accommodations for students with IEPs and 504 plans, irregularity reports and score distribution. At the campus level the job can be an added duty for a teacher, counselor or assistant principal; at the district level it can be a full-time post. There is no BLS series for the title; the nearest occupation, Instructional Coordinators, paid a May 2025 median of $77,440, with the 10th to 90th percentile running from $47,980 to $121,670.

Textbook Editors manage the development and revision of educational content across print and digital formats — coordinating authors, subject-matter experts, designers, and production teams to deliver accurate, pedagogically sound materials on schedule. They work at educational publishers, content development firms, and academic institutions, shaping the books and courseware that students and instructors rely on from kindergarten through graduate school.

Textbook Writers research, draft, and revise instructional content for K–12 and higher education publishers, developing chapters, assessments, supplemental materials, and instructor resources that align with curriculum standards and learning objectives. They work independently or embedded within editorial teams, translating complex subject matter into pedagogically sound prose that meets state adoption requirements and publisher style guides.

Theater Teaching Assistants support lead drama instructors in planning and delivering theater arts education — from classroom acting exercises to full-scale productions. They work directly with students on vocal technique, movement, script analysis, and stagecraft, while managing rehearsal logistics, prop inventories, and backstage operations. The role bridges hands-on arts instruction with the administrative and production support that keeps a theater program running.

Theatre Professors teach undergraduate and graduate students across performance, directing, dramatic literature, design, and theatre history while maintaining active creative or scholarly careers. They work at colleges and universities in tenure-track, visiting, or adjunct positions, and are expected to contribute to departmental productions, curriculum development, and institutional governance alongside their classroom responsibilities.

Theology Professors teach courses in religious studies, systematic theology, biblical studies, church history, or ethics at colleges, universities, and seminaries. They develop curriculum, lead seminars, mentor graduate students, and produce scholarly research through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and monographs. The role sits at the intersection of rigorous academic scholarship and formative teaching, demanding both intellectual depth and the ability to engage students across a spectrum of belief and background.

Theology Research Coordinators support faculty, graduate students, and institutional research initiatives at seminaries, divinity schools, and university religious studies departments. They manage research projects from grant applications through publication, maintain specialized theological library resources, coordinate academic conferences, and ensure that scholarly work meets the methodological and ethical standards of the discipline.

Theology Teaching Assistants support faculty instruction in undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs by leading discussion sections, grading written work, holding office hours, and assisting with course research. They occupy the intersection of student and scholar — deepening their own theological formation while providing direct pedagogical support that keeps large lecture courses and seminar sequences functioning. Most positions are tied to graduate enrollment, though some institutions hire dedicated instructional staff for introductory courses.

Toddler Teachers plan and deliver developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children ages 12 months to 3 years in licensed childcare centers, preschools, and early learning programs. They build secure attachments, support language and motor development, manage daily routines, and maintain close communication with families — all while meeting state licensing ratios, health and safety regulations, and program quality standards.

Tourism Research Coordinators design and manage research projects that measure visitor behavior, economic impact, destination competitiveness, and tourism policy outcomes. Working within universities, convention and visitors bureaus, state tourism offices, or research institutes, they collect and analyze travel data, produce reports for stakeholders, and translate findings into actionable intelligence that shapes destination strategy and academic scholarship.

Tourism Teaching Assistants support lead instructors in hospitality, travel, and tourism programs at community colleges, vocational schools, and universities. They help deliver coursework on travel operations, destination geography, event management, and customer service — grading assignments, facilitating lab sessions, and guiding students through industry simulations. The role bridges academic instruction and real-world hospitality practice, often drawing on candidates who have prior industry experience in tourism, hotels, or travel agencies.

Transportation Research Coordinators manage and support applied research projects focused on traffic systems, transit planning, road safety, freight logistics, and mobility policy — typically within a university transportation center, state DOT research division, or nonprofit research institute. They coordinate study design, data collection, stakeholder engagement, and deliverable production, serving as the operational core that keeps multi-investigator projects on schedule and on budget.

Transportation Teaching Assistants support students with disabilities or special needs during school bus routes and in classroom settings, ensuring safe transitions between home and school while reinforcing instructional goals set by lead teachers and special education staff. They assist with boarding, seating, behavioral management, and communication with drivers, families, and school personnel — serving as a critical link between the vehicle environment and the academic day.

Tutors provide individualized academic instruction to students ranging from elementary school to college level, targeting specific skill gaps, test preparation, or subject mastery. They assess where a student is struggling, design targeted lesson plans, and deliver one-on-one or small-group instruction that supplements classroom teaching. The role spans private independent contractors, tutoring centers, schools, and online platforms.

Undergraduate Advisors guide college students through degree planning, course selection, major exploration, and academic difficulty at four-year institutions, community colleges, and university advising centers. They maintain caseloads of 200 to 400+ students, interpret degree requirements, connect students to campus resources, and serve as an early-intervention point when academic or personal challenges threaten a student's progress toward graduation.

University Grants Managers oversee the lifecycle of external funding at universities, nonprofits, and research institutions—from identifying funding opportunities and preparing competitive applications to managing awarded budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and submitting required reports. They serve as the financial and administrative bridge between researchers and the funders who support their work.

University Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses, conduct original research, and contribute to institutional service at colleges and universities. They hold primary responsibility for advancing knowledge in their discipline through peer-reviewed scholarship while mentoring students and serving on departmental and university committees. The role spans research-intensive R1 universities, teaching-focused liberal arts colleges, and regional comprehensives — each with a different balance of scholarly output versus classroom hours.

University Research Scientists at colleges, universities, and research institutes design and execute original studies, analyze data, and publish findings that advance knowledge in their discipline. Working within or alongside academic departments, they manage research projects from hypothesis through peer review, often leading grant-funded teams and mentoring graduate students while operating sophisticated laboratory or computational equipment.

University Web Developers in educational institutions design, build, and maintain the websites, portals, and digital tools that students, faculty, staff, and prospective families use daily. From a university's public-facing admissions site to a school district's parent communication portal, they translate institutional needs into functional, accessible, and performant web experiences.

Urban Planning Research Coordinators manage and support applied research projects at universities, planning schools, policy institutes, and regional planning agencies. They bridge faculty researchers, graduate students, government partners, and community stakeholders — handling data collection, GIS analysis, grant administration, and publication workflows to move planning research from proposal to deliverable. The role sits at the intersection of academic rigor and real-world policy, requiring both technical skill and project management discipline.

Urban Planning Teaching Assistants support faculty in undergraduate and graduate planning courses by leading discussion sections, grading studio projects and policy papers, providing one-on-one tutoring, and assisting with research. The role typically sits inside a university's planning or public policy department and is filled by advanced graduate students or early-career planners who want to build teaching credentials while deepening their own subject expertise.

Veterinary Medicine Research Coordinators manage the operational and regulatory infrastructure of animal health and biomedical research programs at veterinary colleges, research universities, and pharmaceutical companies. They coordinate IACUC protocols, manage study timelines, handle regulatory submissions, and serve as the connective tissue between principal investigators, veterinary staff, and compliance offices — keeping studies on schedule and within regulatory boundaries.

Veterinary Medicine Teaching Assistants support faculty in delivering preclinical and clinical education at veterinary colleges — running wet labs, supervising student procedures on live animals and cadavers, grading practical assessments, and reinforcing lecture content through small-group instruction. Most positions are held by DVM candidates in their third or fourth year, recent graduates pursuing academic careers, or credentialed veterinary technicians with advanced clinical backgrounds.

Vice Chancellors are senior executives at universities or multi-campus university systems who lead major institutional divisions — typically Academic Affairs, Finance and Administration, Research, Student Affairs, or Health Sciences. They report directly to the Chancellor and are responsible for the strategic direction, budget, personnel, and outcomes of their respective portfolios. The role requires both academic credibility and executive administrative capacity.

Vice Presidents of Enrollment Management lead the strategic and operational functions responsible for recruiting, admitting, funding, and retaining students at colleges and universities. They oversee admissions, financial aid, and often retention and student success offices, and are directly accountable to the president and board for meeting institutional enrollment targets that drive tuition revenue.

A Vice Principal is a K-12 school administrator who works under the principal and runs an assigned share of the building: student discipline, supervision, attendance follow-up, teacher observations, testing logistics and emergency drills. Some districts call the same deputy post assistant principal. BLS files the work under education administrators, kindergarten through secondary, and reported a May 2025 median of $105,870 for that occupation, with the 10th percentile at $76,280 and the 90th at $167,770. Those figures include principals, since BLS does not report vice principals separately. Candidates come up through teaching, and public-school roles require a state administrator license in states such as Nevada and California.

Visual Arts Professors teach studio courses, art history, and critical theory at colleges and universities while maintaining active artistic or scholarly practices. They advise undergraduate and graduate students, serve on thesis committees, build department curricula, and contribute to their institutions through committee service. Tenure-track positions require a terminal degree (usually an MFA) and a demonstrable record of professional exhibitions or publications.

Vocational Counselors help individuals identify career goals, assess their skills and interests, connect with training programs, and find employment. They work with a wide range of clients — students transitioning from high school, adults changing careers, people with disabilities, veterans, and individuals returning from incarceration. The role blends counseling, case management, and practical job market knowledge.

Women's Studies Teaching Assistants support faculty in delivering undergraduate courses on gender, feminist theory, intersectionality, and related social justice topics. They lead discussion sections, grade student work, hold office hours, and assist with course design — gaining classroom experience that is foundational for academic careers in gender studies, sociology, or humanities fields.

Writing Professors teach college-level writing courses — first-year composition, advanced writing, rhetoric, creative writing, or professional writing — while fulfilling research and service obligations at their institution. The role spans tenure-track faculty positions in rhetoric and composition, non-tenure-track full-time instructor positions, and adjunct appointments, each with distinct job security, compensation, and expectations.

Writing Research Coordinators manage the operational and administrative dimensions of writing research programs and literacy initiatives at universities, research centers, or educational organizations. They coordinate data collection, support faculty researchers, manage grant budgets, and facilitate the day-to-day work that allows writing studies and composition research to move from design to publication.

Writing Teachers instruct students in written communication — developing skills in composition, argumentation, research, creative expression, or technical writing depending on grade level and course context. They design writing assignments, provide feedback on drafts, teach revision strategies, and help students develop a clear and confident written voice across academic and professional contexts.

Writing Teaching Assistants support college-level writing instruction by teaching or co-teaching composition courses, providing feedback on student writing, staffing writing center sessions, and assisting faculty with course logistics. Most are graduate students in English, rhetoric, creative writing, or related fields who fund their graduate studies through TA appointments.

Zoology Professors teach undergraduate and graduate courses in animal biology, conduct original research on animal behavior, physiology, ecology, or evolution, mentor student researchers, and fulfill service obligations within their department and institution. The role combines scientific scholarship with educational leadership at the college level.

Zoology Research Coordinators manage the operational and administrative aspects of animal biology research programs — coordinating fieldwork, maintaining animal facilities, overseeing permit compliance, managing budgets, and supporting faculty and graduate researchers. They keep complex multi-investigator zoology programs running smoothly, allowing scientists to focus on research rather than logistics.

Zoology Teaching Assistants support undergraduate instruction in animal biology courses by running laboratory sections, grading assignments, leading discussion sections, and mentoring students. Most are graduate students earning a stipend while completing their own research degrees in biology, ecology, or a related life science field.