10 EdD Degree Jobs in Demand (with Salary Info)

Reviewed by Dr. Raymond Bandlow, Director Doctoral Studies in Education at Gwynedd Mercy University


Education changes lives for the better. If you’re a professional educator, you already know that an enormous amount of expertise, planning, and decision making happens before students set foot in a classroom. This planning ensures students are being taught the right material in the right way, with the resources and support they need to succeed. 

If you’re interested in growing your career in education, you’ve probably considered earning a graduate degree to gain the skills, knowledge, and competitive edge you need. A doctorate in education (EdD) program could be the right program for you. But is it worth the time and effort?

This short guide to careers with a doctorate in education can help you decide. This article describes what you can do with an EdD degree, including EdD degree jobs and current salary information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Salary.com, and Payscale.com. 

GMercyU is a leader in graduate education, offering online doctorate in education programs that help educators like you take the next step in their careers. We hope this guide offers you food for thought as you plan your path forward in the exciting, challenging field of education.


10 EdD Degree Jobs in Demand (with Salary Info)

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of education was in need of leaders and administrators who could shape the future of a 21st-century education. This means that in addition to experience and passion, employers are looking for qualified applicants with an EdD degree. 

These employers aren’t just in school districts, either. There are more jobs for EdD degree holders than you might expect. If you’re wondering what you can do with a doctorate in education, read on for career descriptions, salary information, and more.

School Principal (High School, Middle School, Elementary School)

Median Annual Salary: $96,400 (May 2019)* 
Educational Requirements: Graduate degree (MEd or EdD), licensure (in public schools)

School principals direct the academic and administrative functions of individual elementary, middle, and high schools. They recruit and hire staff, oversee finances, approve decisions about curriculum and textbooks, and act as community liaisons between the school, families, and other organizations. They may also play a role in discipline for both students and faculty.

Instructional Coordinator

Median Annual Salary: $66,290 (May 2019)*
Educational Requirements: Graduate degree (MEd, EdD or PhD) 

Instructional coordinators work in PK-12 schools, school districts and for government organizations that oversee education at the local, state or federal level. They are responsible for researching, designing, and implementing the academic instruction at their school or schools. 

Instructional coordinators analyze student data to determine progress on outcomes, evaluate and coach teachers, and review textbooks or instructional technology solutions to determine what best fits their students’ needs. While it is possible to become a school-level instructional coordinator with a master’s degree, roles at the district level or in government organizations may require a doctorate in education. 

School Superintendent

Median Annual Salary: $162,652 (June 2020)*
Educational Requirements: Doctoral degree (EdD or PhD), certification (varies by state) 

School superintendents are the chief executive officers of a PK-12 school district. They oversee the financial management of the district, hire and recruit administrators such as principals and instructional coordinators, and also play a key role in handling emergencies or community outreach. Most superintendents are experienced educators who have worked their way up from the classroom to the boardroom. 

College Instructor/ Professor

Median Annual Salary: $79,540 (May 2019)*
Educational Requirements: Doctoral degree (EdD or PhD) 

Can you be a professor with a doctorate in education? Yes. College instructors teach online and on campus at community colleges or colleges and universities. They work with faculty and their dean to plan and deliver academic programs. 

In addition to teaching, they evaluate student assessments, perform research and may provide advising to graduate students, including doctoral degree candidates. Salary will vary by seniority, field of expertise, and location. 

Academic Dean

Median Annual Salary: $91,489 (May 2020)*
Educational Requirements: Doctoral degree (EdD or PhD) 

Academic deans are in charge of their academic departments. They take the lead role in shaping programs, hiring staff, overseeing budgets, and representing their department in meetings at the college level. They are usually experienced professors who have gained administrative experience as well as expertise in their field.

Provost

Median Annual Salary: $149,021 (May 2020)* 
Educational Requirements: Doctoral degree (EdD or PhD) 

At most U.S. colleges and universities, the provost is the chief academic officer. They are the immediate supervisors of academic deans and usually considered the “number two” of the institution after the college president. They hire deans, have input into faculty hiring, and coordinate instructional planning and delivery as well as research. They will also liaise with or even oversee academic support functions such as libraries, laboratories, and IT departments. 

Other Post-Secondary Administrator (Non-Academic)

Median Annual Salary: $95,410 (May 2019)*
Educational Requirements: Graduate degree (MEd, EdD or PhD) 

Colleges and universities of all sizes need administrators to oversee non-academic functions, such as student affairs, athletics, instructional technology, campus security, and more. These administrators’ roles will vary depending upon the size of their college and the department they are responsible for, but in general, administrators of non-academic departments take the lead in HR, financial, and operational issues. Candidates for these administrative roles may come from outside of academia or be experienced instructors.

College President

Median Annual Salary: $277,234 (June 2020)*
Educational Requirements: Doctoral degree (EdD, PhD) 

College presidents are the chief executives of colleges and universities. They are responsible for developing and implementing the school’s vision and mission. They oversee and direct all academic, operational, and financial aspects of the organization. College presidents report to the college’s Board of Trustees. Salary varies widely depending on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and the size and location of the institution. The president of a small private college, for example, will usually earn less than the president of a large state university system.

Training and Development Manager

Median Annual Salary: $61,210 (May 2019)*
Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree for entry-level jobs; graduate degree preferred 

Training and development managers work in a wide variety of organizations, including private-sector corporations, to help design, direct and deliver training for employees. They evaluate training needs, design in-person and online modules, develop instruction manuals and much more. At a senior level, they may have responsibility for budgets and hiring of any staff they manage. 

Chief Learning Officer

Median Annual Salary: $198,700 (June 2020)*
Educational Requirements: Graduate degree required; Doctoral degree highly preferred

The role of chief learning officer (CLO) was created in the 1990s and is a relatively new type of career with a Doctor of Education.  CLOs are responsible for the training and development of all employees in a corporation or other organization. They focus on developing training strategies that align with the overall goals of their organization, measuring outcomes, and evaluating new technologies or approaches for nurturing employee and executive talent. 

CLOs need advanced understanding of human development, teaching, and learning as well as statistics, technology, and other fields which contribute to effective training. That’s why it’s an in-demand EdD job.

How Long Does It Take to Complete an EdD Degree?

Earning an EdD degree takes a minimum of two to three years depending on your level of education and the format of your doctoral program. 

Generally, an EdD takes less time to earn than a PhD. That is because PhD programs focus heavily on research and scholarship for the sake of advancing a field of study, while EdD programs focus on applying research to practical academic leadership or teaching. If you are passionate about teaching, instructional design or shaping great institutions of learning, the hands-on leadership an EdD emphasizes could be ideal for you.


Is a Doctor of Education (EdD) Degree Worth It?

Absolutely! Earning your EdD opens the door to many exciting new career opportunities in administration, higher education, and corporate leadership – opportunities that offer meaningful work helping shape the schools and universities that educate future leaders, or the corporate training programs that help others fulfill their potential at work. 

Additionally, the Doctor of Education salary boost is real: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with a doctoral degree took home the highest weekly salaries of any worker in 2019, with a median weekly wage of $1,883. By comparison, master’s degree holders took home median weekly earnings of $1,497 per week. 


Earn Your Doctor of Education (EdD Degree) at GMercyU

Ready to advance your career in education? Earn your EdD degree with a university known for providing quality graduate education in a flexible format. In as few as two years and eight months, you can earn an accelerated online Doctorate of Education (EdD). Our program features four concentrations, an A.B.D. completion option, an exceptional graduation rate, and dissertation support from day one to prepare you for your future in educational leadership. Learn more today.


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