Whether in college or kindergarten, modern students are no longer learning from textbooks alone. Technology has made its way into the education sector, with computers, tablets, the internet, and even AI taking part.
If you want to support the integration of tech into education, a future in EdTech is for you. Education technology, or EdTech for short, refers to using hardware and software to enhance classroom learning and improve educational outcomes.
Whether you’re still in school or getting ready to walk across the stage and take your diploma in hand (woohoo!), it’s never too soon to start exploring education technology jobs.
Below, we highlight popular educational technology jobs and look at companies hiring in EdTech on Handshake right now.
Is EdTech a good career path for you?
EdTech appears to be set for growth, even as other industries face uncertain times. But do you have what it takes to thrive in the field?
Some things to help you thrive in EdTech include:
- Technological prowess. Obviously, you need to understand tech if you want to work in this space. Bonus points if you enjoy tech work!
- Communication skills. EdTech is often about helping others master tech tools to enhance learning. Good communication is a must.
- Problem-solving abilities. Knowing how to use tech to solve problems can help you stand out in the EdTech field.
- Patience. Glitches and bugs happen in tech all the time. You must be able to take a deep breath and deal with issues patiently.
- Flexibility. Tech is always evolving (take a look at how chatbots have changed)! Being able to adapt can help you keep up.
Assuming you’ve got what it takes, you should enjoy bright prospects in EdTech. While there isn’t a lot of concrete data on EdTech specifically, both the education and technology fields are poised for growth in the coming decade.
According to the BLS, employment in the computer and IT field is projected to grow 15% through 2031, while employment in education is projected to grow 7% through 2031.
Read on to learn about industries where EdTech will be in demand.
<h3>Industries where you can build an EdTech career</h3>
Many EdTech job postings are from EdTech companies. For example, you might help develop software or hardware for use in learning.
Other industries hire EdTech experts, too, including:
- Health care. Health care may rely on EdTech to teach professionals, students, and even patients how to manage care.
- Human resources. HR professionals can use EdTech for training new team members and streamlining onboarding.
- Government. Government jobs can also rely on EdTech for training and better use of resources. The U.S. Army is even using EdTech these days!
- Consulting. Consulting firms help clients thrive with advice on operational changes, infrastructure updates, employee training, and more. EdTech can help consultants boost customer success.
Curious about other careers in EdTech? Scroll down for a list of companies hiring on Handshake right now.
Most valuable degrees to earn a job in EdTech
A thriving EdTech career starts with the right education. Consider one of the following degree programs to set yourself up for success:
- Information technology. An IT degree can lead to roles like IT support specialist, data analyst, or UX/UI designer.
- Instructional design. With a background in instructional design, you can become anything from an instructional designer to a K-12 teacher.
- Educational technology. EdTech credentials can help pave the way to an instructional designer or a curriculum development specialist role.
- Computer science. A computer science degree can help you land a gig like IT support specialist, data analyst, or UX/UI designer.
Beneficial EdTech certifications
A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree can open the doors to your EdTech career. Additional certifications in a related field make for a more competitive resume.
Here are some professional development credentials to consider:
- UX/UI design. While this field doesn’t have many formal degree programs, it does have certificates — like this one from CareerFoundry.
- Apple Teacher. This certification helps educators master Apple tools for learning purposes. Combine it with a coding certificate for maximum value.
- ISTE Certification. The ISTE certification is for educators who use technology to enhance learning experiences. Consulting and HR professionals can also benefit from this certification.
Top 10 entry-level jobs in EdTech
Whether you want to work for a startup creating learning apps or a nonprofit incorporating technology into their training programs, EdTech offers diverse job types.
We cover some options.
1. Instructional technologist
Instructional technology specialists help connect learners and teachers with the technical resources to improve learning experiences and collaboration. They may support K-12 schools, colleges, universities, businesses, or government agencies.
Average salary: $54,982 per year
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in learning experience design or educational technology
Skills:
- Creative problem-solving
- Organization and research skills
- Communication abilities
2. IT support specialist
IT support specialists, also known as IT technicians, help diagnose and fix issues related to software and hardware used for educational purposes. They can work for schools, businesses, and government bodies. This is a top IT job!
Average salary: $56,612 per year
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or similar
Skills:
- Good communication skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Detail-oriented
3. Instructional designer
Instructional designers use their technical skills to prepare learning materials to improve educational outcomes. They help craft engaging tech-based educational tools — from interactive presentation materials to apps.
Average salary: $63,263 per year
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in education is advisable
Skills:
- Creative thinking
- Visual skills
- Programming abilities
4. Content designer
In the EdTech space, content designers help create materials with educational and collaborative value, including websites, study guides, learning apps, and more. They may develop written, graphic, and video content.
Average salary: $92,405 per year
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in web or graphic design
Skills:
- Organization and management abilities
- Problem-solving skills
- User experience knowledge
5. Curriculum development specialist
Curriculum development specialists help design educational programs for schools. They may also be called curriculum writers or designers. In the EdTech space, this job emphasizes technical elements in the curriculum.
Average salary: $56,060 per year
Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s or master’s degree in education (if you’re designing curriculum for a specific field, a degree in that field is helpful)
Skills:
- Excellent research skills
- Analytical mindset
- Multitasking ability
6. K-12 teacher
K-12 teachers may work for various educational institutions, including elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. They help students learn, increasingly with the help of tech tools. Learn more about teaching jobs.
Average salary: $56,400 per year
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in education; master’s preferred
Skills:
- Patience
- Excellent communication skills
- Multitasking ability
7. Data analyst
Data analysts collect and analyze data to identify trends and draw conclusions. They may work for educational institutions, health care companies, marketing agencies, investment banks, and more. In the EdTech space, they may collect data from EdTech products to improve learning outcomes.
Average salary: $82,575 per year
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, software engineering, or similar
Skills:
- Good teamwork skills
- Knowledge of computer programming
- Analytical mindset
8. UX/UI designer
UX/UI design is all about making tech interfaces user-friendly. In EdTech, UX/UI designers may work on educational websites or apps, ensuring they’re clear and easy to understand.
Average salary: $97,485 per year
Qualifications:
- Certificate in UX design; credentials in fields like web development, computer science, or IT are also helpful
Skills:
- Detail-oriented
- Highly organized
- Good project management
9. Research assistant
Research assistants help collect, manage, and analyze data. For EdTech job functions, research assistants may examine the impact of tech in learning. These pros may work for educational institutions, government agencies, or businesses.
Average salary: $38,722 per year
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like education, IT, or computer science
Skills:
- Detail-oriented
- Multitasking ability
- Excellent communication skills
10. Project coordinator
In the field of EdTech, project coordinators may manage the development and launch of educational products. They might work for EdTech companies or educational institutions seeking to implement EdTech.
Average salary: $58,416 per year
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, IT, or computer science
Skills:
- People person
- Great communication skills
- Problem-solving mindset
Who’s hiring in EdTech on Handshake?
- Lavner Education
- Uncommon Schools
- Juni Learning
- iD Tech
- Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
- KidPass Inc.
- Classical Charter Schools
- Generation Teach
- Coding Minds Academy
- Los Angeles Unified School District
Find the right EdTech career with help from Handshake
EdTech majors have diverse opportunities, from K-12 teacher to research assistant. Some jobs require an in-person or on-site presence, while others — like curriculum developer — can be remote jobs.
When picking your EdTech career path, consider the details that matter most to you, like salary, growth potential, and job satisfaction. For example, working as a kindergarten teacher may not pay as much as working as a research assistant, but you might find working with kids more fulfilling.
Handshake can help you explore open positions and find your dream job. Browse full-time and part-time job alerts and internship opportunities. Create a profile to get started and let employers come to you.
Sources:
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/12/26/the-future-of-edtech/?sh=6d5b212e6c2f
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm
- https://www.army-technology.com/news/company-news/contract-news/us-army-blackboards-edtech-platform/
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/instructional-technologist-salary
- https://joinhandshake.com/blog/students/top-jobs-for-it-majors/
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/listing/it-support-specialist-salary
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/instructional-designer-i-salary
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/position/content-designer-salary
- https://joinhandshake.com/blog/students/top-jobs-for-higher-ed-majors/
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/curriculum-development-specialist-salary
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/alternate/k-12-teacher-salary
- https://joinhandshake.com/blog/students/job-role-data-analysts/
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/listing/data-analyst-salary
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/listing/user-interface-designer-salary
- https://www.indeed.com/career/research-assistant/salaries
- https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/project-coordinator-salary