Top Entrepreneurship and Consulting Jobs for Transitioning Teachers

Updated: 03/24/25

From consulting gigs to full-blown business ownership, these roles offer freedom, flexibility, and serious growth potential. If you’re ready to build something on your own terms—or lend your expertise to others—this list is your roadmap.

_{Note: Salary ranges are general estimates based on commonly available salary information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), PayScale, and Glassdoor. Keep in mind that these figures are approximate and can vary depending on location, experience level, industry, and company size.}

• Education Consultant

  Salary Range: $50K - $100K per year
  

  What it is:
  Education Consultants work with schools, edtech companies, nonprofits, or government agencies to improve instruction, curriculum, and training. You might design PD, revamp curriculum, or advise on tech integration.

  Why you're a fit:
  You’ve already led PD sessions, built curriculum from scratch, and stayed up-to-date on best practices. Your insights are valuable—and companies will pay for them.

  How to land it:
  Start by identifying your niche (literacy, DEI, math, SEL, etc.). Build a simple portfolio or one-pager that outlines what you offer. Reach out to schools or orgs you’ve worked with, and use LinkedIn to connect with decision-makers in education companies.

>>> Click Here To See Current Open Roles On LinkedIn

• Freelancer
  

  Salary Range: Project-based; anywhere from $5K to $100K per year

  What it is:
  Freelancers offer a skill—writing, curriculum design, editing, social media, tutoring, etc.—on a contract basis. You set your own hours, find your own clients, and choose the projects you take on.

  Why you're a fit:
  As a teacher, you’re already a project manager, content creator, communicator, and problem solver. You know how to take a goal and build something from it—which is exactly what freelance clients need.

  How to land it:
  Decide what service you want to offer. Build a one-page website or portfolio (or use LinkedIn!). Then pitch your services to companies, nonprofits, or individuals—or look for gigs on Upwork, Fiverr, or LinkedIn’s Services Marketplace.

>>> Click Here To See Current Open Roles On LinkedIn

• Start-Up Founder
  

  Salary Range: Range Varies
  

  What it is:
  Start-Up Founders create their own businesses from scratch. That could mean launching an app, running an education company, starting a tutoring center, or building a course.

  Why you're a fit:
  You already know how to lead, plan, and wear 10 hats at once. You’ve solved problems with no budget, built systems from nothing, and inspired people to believe in something bigger than themselves.

  How to land it:
  You don’t apply—you start. Identify a real problem you’re passionate about solving. Talk to potential customers. Build a minimum viable product (MVP). Use tools like Canva and Kajabi to get started fast with little overhead.

>>> You can search LinkedIn for open roles but for this one, you're more likely to start your own business!

Here are four more Entrepreneurship and Consulting Gigs that could fit into other categories BUT you can do these on a part-time or on-demand basis. Check em' out!

Instructional Designer (Freelance or Contract)

Salary Range: $40K–$95K

What it is:
Instructional Designers create learning experiences—like e-learning modules, training guides, and digital courses—for companies, nonprofits, or online platforms. As a freelancer, you could take on project-based work across industries.

Why you're a fit:
You already know how to structure content, scaffold learning, and design engaging lessons. Add a little tech, and you’ve got what it takes to build courses that teach adults just as well as kids.

How to land it:
Get familiar with tools like Articulate, Rise, or Canva. Create a sample project or rebuild a lesson you love in a digital format. Start applying to freelance gigs on LinkedIn or reach out to edtech companies looking for content developers.

Curriculum Writer (Independent Contractor)

Salary Range: $30/hr–$70/hr (project-based or hourly)

What it is:
Curriculum Writers design learning materials for K–12 publishers, nonprofits, tutoring companies, or education platforms. You might write lesson plans, assessments, rubrics, or even entire units for print or digital use.

Why you're a fit:
You've done this already! Whether you've written scope and sequences or differentiated plans for students, you know how to hit standards while keeping things engaging and accessible.

How to land it:
Search for roles with publishers like McGraw Hill, Pearson, or nonprofit orgs like UnboundEd. Build a small writing portfolio (even repurposed from your teaching materials) and highlight any standards alignment experience.

Professional Development Facilitator

Salary Range: $50K–$100K+ (full-time or contract)

What it is:
PD Facilitators lead training sessions for teachers or corporate teams on topics like instructional strategies, DEI, leadership, or tech tools. You could do this as a consultant or in-house trainer.

Why you're a fit:
You’ve probably already led PD sessions, mentored colleagues, or coached new teachers. You know how to make learning engaging, relevant, and practical for adult learners.

How to land it:
Look for openings at education service providers, edtech companies, or DEI consulting firms. Pitch schools or districts on sessions you could run as a contractor. A short workshop menu or facilitator bio helps you stand out.

Online Course Creator

Salary Range: Highly variable ($0–$100K+ depending on traction)

What it is:
Online Course Creators build and sell digital courses around a topic they know well—academic tutoring, classroom management, parenting, executive functioning, arts education, and more.

Why you're a fit:
You know how to teach clearly and break things into digestible chunks. If you’ve ever created a successful lesson, you can create a course that sells—especially if it solves a real-world problem.

How to land it:
You don’t need permission to get started. Choose a topic you can speak confidently about, plan your content, record videos using Loom or Zoom, and host your course on platforms like Teachable, Podia, or Kajabi. Start small and grow.

Enjoyed this list but not sure where you fit in all of this? Take the FREE ElevatED Educator Career Quiz to discover which roles are right for you.

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