Jobs for Former Math Teachers

Let's face it, math isn't everyone's forte. Former math teachers possess unique experience in both education and mathematics, separating them from everyone else. These educators are able to use their skills and experience to find lots of great jobs even after retirement. Though there remains a tremendous shortage of math teachers nationwide, it's easy to understand why math teachers may want to explore other career options.

Retired teachers often become substitute teachers because it offers part-time employment in their specialty. Averaging over $100 per day, subbing is a great alternative to full-time teaching. Substitutes work when and where they want, allowing tremendous flexibility compared to a former math teacher's schedule. Teachers build relationships in school with faculty members and students. By substituting, former math teachers can continue to see former co-workers and students. Some states only require a high school diploma to become a substitute, so a former teacher can easily become a substitute.

Former math teachers can become private tutors to help individual students achieve academic goals. Tutors continue to teach, but the working environment and schedule of a tutor is different than a traditional teacher's. They work with students one-on-one outside of the classroom and they may work with students when schools are out of session. Tutoring companies and universities hire math tutors to provide supplemental instruction, and to challenge students with special needs. Tutors work with schools, serving as a liaison between school teachers and students. Tutors may be self-employed and the pay varies.

Education administrators, like principals or assistant principals, is a great career alternative to former math teachers. Administrators manage budgets and review students' test scores, duties that experienced mathematicians handle with efficiency. Administrators also work closely with students and parents, another duty for which former math teachers are qualified. Administrators usually must have experience as a teacher and a Master's Degree in education administration. Math teachers may have to go back to school one or two years to earn an administration degree, but their salary would increase substantially. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, principals earn an average of about $90,000 per year.

Skills and education in dozens of applied mathematics fields may also be used by former teachers. They can become statisticians, marketing analysts, financial consultants, business operation researchers, biomathematicians, and accountants. These careers require competency in arithmetic though they may also demand some additional occupational preparation; for example, math teachers may want to earn a Certified Public Accountant degree before practicing accounting. Salaries in applied mathematics vary but because of the specialized skills and training mathematicians must possess, careers in applied mathematics pay well.

Elementary, middle, and high school principals earned a median annual salary of $92,510 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, elementary, middle, and high school principals earned a 25th percentile salary of $73,710, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $114,950, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 251,300 people were employed in the U.S. as elementary, middle, and high school principals.