Earning a Doctor of Education (EdD) degree is a smart choice for career advancement and job growth. Doctorate in education salary levels are impressive, with some postsecondary teaching specialties featuring annual salaries of over $180,000.1 Expected job growth in EdD careers is equally appealing, with jobs for postsecondary health specialties teachers expected to increase 19% between now and 2033.2
What can you do with an EdD? How much can you earn? Read on to learn more about EdD degree salary levels, job growth and EdD specialty areas.
About the Data for Our Doctorate in Education Salary and Career Outlook
The data in this article comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a U.S. government agency that measures labor market activity, working conditions, salary changes and productivity in the U.S. economy to support public and private decision-making. The BLS is widely accepted as the authoritative source for projected salary and job growth data.
Whether you attain a PhD or EdD, Doctor of Education salary figures do not include additional benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plans and other benefit packages.
For comparative purposes, the BLS reports that the annual median salary for all jobs in the U.S. in 2023 was $48,060.3 The BLS also states that overall, the U.S. economy is projected to add 6.7 million jobs from now until 2033.4
Overall Doctor of Education Salary and Career Outlook
Many EdD graduates may find opportunities to teach above the high school level, including roles at public and private colleges, universities, professional schools, and junior or community colleges. Many also elevate their EdD careers by becoming administrators and leaders in postsecondary institutions.
The BLS reports that the median salary for postsecondary teachers in 2023 was $84,380, with job growth projected to increase by 8% from now until 2033—faster than the national average job growth rate.5
Administrators and leaders in postsecondary institutions can expect even better compensation and prospects for doctorate in education jobs. The BLS reports that the 2023 median pay for postsecondary education administrators was $102,610—with job growth projected to increase by 3% by 2033.6
EdD Degree Specializations: Career and Salary Outlook
Doctorate in education salary and career outlook figures can be impacted by a number of factors, including institutional pay scales, geographic region, and supply and demand for EdD career staff members in a particular area of employment or specialty.
Many EdD programs offer students the opportunity to supplement their education by selecting a specialty area. These students complete additional coursework in their chosen specialty area to increase their knowledge and skills in that particular area.
Let’s drill down to see how expectations surrounding Doctor of Education salary and job growth are affected by specializing and working in some popular specialty areas.
Doctor of Education Jobs: Executive Leadership Specialization
An executive leadership specialization prepares Doctor of Education graduates for a career in various EdD jobs in demand in healthcare and interprofessional education. Doctor of Education jobs for EdD graduates with a specialization in executive leadership include:
- Academic dean
- Academic program chair
- University provost, president or chancellor
- Health education director
- Director of corporate development
- Human resources administrator
- Head of the training department within a health system
The BLS reports that the median salary for postsecondary education administrators in roles like academic dean and provost was $102,610 in 2023.7 For medical and health services managers in 2023, the median pay was $110,680.8Job growth for these positions is projected to increase by 29% by 2033—much faster than the national average.8
Doctor of Education Jobs: Nurse Educator Specialization
As the national shortage of nurses—particularly RNs—continues, the need to fill nursing education jobs is strong.9Nursing schools report turning away prospective nursing students, in part due to a lack of nursing teaching faculty. According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) for the academic year 2022-2023, a total of 2,166 full-time faculty vacancies were identified in baccalaureate and/or graduate programs across the country.10 The data shows a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of 8.8%.10 Most of the vacancies (85%) were faculty positions requiring or preferring a doctoral degree.10
Many EdD graduates—especially those with a nurse educator specialization—hold Doctor of Education jobs in nursing, such as:
- Adjunct professor/professor
- Assistant professor
- Academic leader
- Nursing instructor in higher education
- Nursing instructor in a clinical or hospital setting
According to the BLS, the average Doctor of Education salary for postsecondary nurse educators varies by employer. In 2023, the Doctor of Education salary for nursing education jobs at junior colleges averaged $81,900, while nursing education jobs at colleges, universities and professional schools averaged $86,900.11 Doctor of Education jobs for nursing instructors in general medical and surgical hospitals averaged $106,620.11
Overall, the job growth rate from now until 2033 for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers is projected to be 18%—more than a fourfold increase over the national average for all jobs.2
Doctor of Education Jobs: Athletic Training Specialization
College-level educators for athletic training degree programs help prepare students not just for the licensing exam but to transition into a career as an athletic trainer. Completing an athletic training specialization prepares graduates for Doctor of Education jobs such as:
- Adjunct professor/professor
- Assistant professor
- Academic leader in athletic training
- Clinical or organizational athletic training leader
- High-level athletic training director or leader
According to the BLS, the growth rate for Doctor of Education jobs as athletic trainers is expected to increase 13% through 2033—much faster than the national average for all jobs.12 This will require higher education institutions to hire additional athletic training education instructors.
Looking at Doctor of Education salary expectations for athletic trainers, the BLS reports that their median salary was $57,930 in 2023.11 Because Doctor of Education graduates with an athletic training specialization may also become professors, academic leaders can obtain other high-level athletic training jobs. To estimate earning potential, it is reasonable to reference median salary data for postsecondary health specialties teachers ($105,650) and postsecondary education administrators ($102,610).1,7
Doctor of Education Jobs: Teaching and Learning Specialization
EdD graduates with a teaching and learning specialization have undergone additional education and training to build the skills needed to teach in a traditional or online classroom, develop curricula and understand generational learning. These graduates typically land Doctor of Education jobs in teaching at public and private colleges and universities, professional schools and junior or community colleges.
The BLS reports that median doctorate in education salary figures for postsecondary health specialties teachers were $105,650 in 2023.1 A job growth rate of 19% by 2033 is projected.2
Ready to Take the Next Step Toward Your EdD Career?
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS) specialized Doctor of Education program is ideal to earn your EdD degree. Through our online program, you can begin your EdD career and help fill a critical shortage of healthcare educators as you prepare for an academic, administrative or leadership role in diverse healthcare industry and educational settings.
Learn more about the online EdD degree from USAHS, including our specializations in Executive Leadership, Nurse Educator, Athletic Training and Teaching and Learning.
Salary data may not reflect starting pay for recent graduates.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Postsecondary Teachers: Pay,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm#tab-5.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Postsecondary Teachers: Job Outlook,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm#tab-6.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment Projections: Employment by major occupational group,” BLS, August 29, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/emp-by-major-occupational-group.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Employment Projections: 2023-2033 Summary,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.nr0.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Postsecondary Teachers: Summary,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/postsecondary-teachers.htm#tab-1.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Postsecondary Education Administrators: Summary,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Postsecondary Education Administrators: Pay,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/postsecondary-education-administrators.htm#tab-5.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Medical and Health Services Managers: Summary,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/medical-and-health-services-managers.htm.
- Lisa M. Haddad, Pavan Annamaraju, et al., “Nursing Shortage,” StatPearls, February 13, 2023,https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/.
- Carrie Byrne, Jenny Keyt, et al., “Special Survey on Vacant Faculty Positions for Academic Year 2022-2023,” AACN, n.d., https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/News/Surveys-Data/2022-Faculty-Vacancy-Report.pdf.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Occupational Employment Wages, May 2023: 25-1072 Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary,” BLS, April 3, 2024, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes251072.htm.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Athletic Trainers: Summary,” BLS, August 29, 2024,https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers.htm.
