A master's degree in education can get you a teaching job or an educational position outside the classroom. This degree enables you to advance in your educational career from teacher to administrator, or serves as a step toward a Ph.D. If you become dissatisfied working education, you can utilize your degree as a qualifier for applying to law school or pursuing a graduate degree in another subject.

Teaching

With a master's degree, you can become a certified teacher---once you fulfill certification requirements for your state---making more money per year than teachers with a bachelor's degree. According to PayScale.com, the annual salary for teachers with a graduate degree was approximately $40,000, compared to $32,000 for teachers with bachelor's degrees. The grade level you teach depends on the area of education you emphasized in your graduate work---early childhood, elementary or secondary.

Administrative

You can transition to a career in educational administration after you have a few years of classroom experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a master's degree in education should qualify you to become a school principal or assistant, with an average annual salary of $70,000 to $90,000. If you have aspirations of advancing to a district-level career in the superintendent's office, your master's degree in education---combined with administrative experience---can get you there.

Specializations

Careers in education often are specialized and require specific coursework. If your degree is in general education, you'll need additional classes for certification in areas such as vocational or special education. Some jobs outside the classroom have equally specific requirements. If you want to be a speech therapist, counselor or interventionist, your master's degree may help you secure a position while you acquire additional coursework and fulfill certification requirements. The BLS cited average salaries for these jobs as being more than classroom teacher pay by approximately $5,000 to $15,000 per year.

Source:

Get Educated: Master's Degree Information

WorldWide Learn: Master of Education Degree Information

Academic Employment Network: Teacher Certification Requirements by State

More Information:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Educational Administrator job information

Top Education Degrees: Teacher Salary Information

PayScale: Average Teacher Salaries by Degree