Highest and lowest paying education jobs in Indianapolis
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March 6, 2021
Lopolo // Shutterstock
Highest and lowest paying education jobs in Indianapolis
Whether you picture hard-working teachers buying school supplies for their students or genius professors shaping future leaders, it’s fair to say education encompasses a wide variety of jobs. So much so that there’s room to specialize and pursue your passion.
Historically, teachers’ pay is a rather contentious topic. The median annual salary across all teaching professions is $57,949—about $3,000 below the median annual salary of all working professionals with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Despite this, many of these jobs are rewarding in more ways than one. In other words, education can be very lucrative—particularly within specialty fields.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest- and lowest-paying education jobs in Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to discover the highest- and lowest-paying education jobs in your city.
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Education Images // Getty Images
#23. Substitute teachers, short-term
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $24,440
- #219 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,920
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,460
- Employment: 587,120
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salisbury, MD-DE ($58,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,870)
--- Salinas, CA ($49,790)
- Annual mean salary: $24,440
- #219 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 4,920
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,460
- Employment: 587,120
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salisbury, MD-DE ($58,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,870)
--- Salinas, CA ($49,790)
2 / 23
Unsplash
#22. Library technicians
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $26,340
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,950
- Employment: 88,720
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,980)
--- Iowa City, IA ($54,140)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($52,650)
- Annual mean salary: $26,340
- #262 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 550
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,950
- Employment: 88,720
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($58,980)
--- Iowa City, IA ($54,140)
--- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT ($52,650)
3 / 23
Paul.J.West // Shutterstock
#21. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $26,540
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,360
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,640
- Employment: 1,346,910
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($41,810)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($41,430)
--- New Bedford, MA ($41,360)
- Annual mean salary: $26,540
- #194 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,360
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,640
- Employment: 1,346,910
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($41,810)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($41,430)
--- New Bedford, MA ($41,360)
4 / 23
CHRISTOF STACHE // Getty Images
#20. Preschool teachers, except special education
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $28,600
- #264 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,650
- Employment: 431,350
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($55,430)
--- Laredo, TX ($50,350)
--- Waterbury, CT ($49,840)
- Annual mean salary: $28,600
- #264 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 2,850
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,650
- Employment: 431,350
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($55,430)
--- Laredo, TX ($50,350)
--- Waterbury, CT ($49,840)
5 / 23
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
#19. Farm and home management educators
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $31,970
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,720
- Employment: 8,720
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA ($87,800)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($65,850)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($65,510)
- Annual mean salary: $31,970
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $52,720
- Employment: 8,720
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA ($87,800)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($65,850)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($65,510)
6 / 23
Pixabay
#18. Teaching assistants, postsecondary
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $38,400
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,460
- Employment: 137,500
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($59,650)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($57,670)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($57,330)
- Annual mean salary: $38,400
- #30 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 690
National
- Annual mean salary: $36,460
- Employment: 137,500
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ ($59,650)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($57,670)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($57,330)
7 / 23
StockphotoVideo // Shutterstock
#17. Museum technicians and conservators
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $39,060
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,030
- Employment: 13,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($68,320)
--- New Haven, CT ($63,900)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($63,240)
- Annual mean salary: $39,060
- #41 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $48,030
- Employment: 13,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($68,320)
--- New Haven, CT ($63,900)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($63,240)
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Brian S. Hagberg // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Self-enrichment teachers
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $42,400
- #119 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,120
- Employment: 252,780
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($65,570)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($65,340)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($64,710)
- Annual mean salary: $42,400
- #119 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,000
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,120
- Employment: 252,780
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($65,570)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($65,340)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($64,710)
9 / 23
industryviews // Shutterstock
#15. Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $44,120
- #213 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 790
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,420
- Employment: 112,210
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($92,930)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($90,500)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,100)
- Annual mean salary: $44,120
- #213 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 790
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,420
- Employment: 112,210
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($92,930)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($90,500)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,100)
10 / 23
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#14. Special education teachers, preschool
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $44,330
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,060
- Employment: 22,340
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($93,100)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($92,990)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($85,050)
- Annual mean salary: $44,330
- #61 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180
National
- Annual mean salary: $67,060
- Employment: 22,340
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($93,100)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($92,990)
--- Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA ($85,050)
11 / 23
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
#13. Adult basic education, adult secondary education, and english as a second language instructors
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $48,670
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,980
- Employment: 51,950
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($94,920)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($92,360)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($90,000)
- Annual mean salary: $48,670
- #89 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 530
National
- Annual mean salary: $58,980
- Employment: 51,950
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($94,920)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($92,360)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($90,000)
12 / 23
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#12. Librarians and media collections specialists
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $50,140
- #289 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 710
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,920
- Employment: 135,690
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,390)
--- Merced, CA ($87,800)
- Annual mean salary: $50,140
- #289 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 710
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,920
- Employment: 135,690
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,390)
--- Merced, CA ($87,800)
13 / 23
Florida Fish and Wildlife // flickr
#11. Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $52,350
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,980
- Employment: 14,070
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($141,190)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($138,130)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($102,150)
- Annual mean salary: $52,350
- #57 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60
National
- Annual mean salary: $72,980
- Employment: 14,070
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($141,190)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($138,130)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($102,150)
14 / 23
Photographee.eu // Shutterstock
#10. Special education teachers, secondary school
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $53,290
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 950
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,710
- Employment: 143,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,500)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($93,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,110)
- Annual mean salary: $53,290
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 950
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,710
- Employment: 143,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,500)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($93,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,110)
15 / 23
Marcwathieu // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Curators
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $53,620
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,130
- Employment: 12,890
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Ann Arbor, MI ($82,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($81,640)
--- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($76,200)
- Annual mean salary: $53,620
- #53 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $59,130
- Employment: 12,890
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Ann Arbor, MI ($82,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($81,640)
--- Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY ($76,200)
16 / 23
Iam_Anupong // Shutterstock
#8. Kindergarten teachers, except special education
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $54,090
- #146 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,210
- Employment: 124,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($97,220)
--- Modesto, CA ($91,230)
--- Kingston, NY ($89,850)
- Annual mean salary: $54,090
- #146 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 630
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,210
- Employment: 124,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($97,220)
--- Modesto, CA ($91,230)
--- Kingston, NY ($89,850)
17 / 23
B Brown // Shutterstock
#7. Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $55,360
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,930
- Employment: 1,035,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bakersfield, CA ($97,680)
--- Fresno, CA ($93,410)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,350)
- Annual mean salary: $55,360
- #218 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 6,350
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,930
- Employment: 1,035,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bakersfield, CA ($97,680)
--- Fresno, CA ($93,410)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,350)
18 / 23
Canva
#6. Special education teachers, middle school
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $55,720
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,740
- Employment: 85,840
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($86,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($85,440)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($85,340)
- Annual mean salary: $55,720
- #109 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 360
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,740
- Employment: 85,840
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($86,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($85,440)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($85,340)
19 / 23
Lopolo // Shutterstock
#5. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $55,740
- #180 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,360
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,550
- Employment: 622,330
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($91,610)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,350)
--- El Centro, CA ($89,610)
- Annual mean salary: $55,740
- #180 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 3,360
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,550
- Employment: 622,330
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($91,610)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,350)
--- El Centro, CA ($89,610)
20 / 23
The Boston Globe // Getty Images
#4. Elementary school teachers, except special education
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $57,120
- #191 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,710
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,930
- Employment: 1,430,480
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($92,090)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($90,270)
--- Merced, CA ($89,910)
- Annual mean salary: $57,120
- #191 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 7,710
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,930
- Employment: 1,430,480
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($92,090)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($90,270)
--- Merced, CA ($89,910)
21 / 23
DGLimages // Shutterstock
#3. Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $60,250
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,420
- Employment: 193,830
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($93,990)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
--- Fresno, CA ($89,480)
- Annual mean salary: $60,250
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,040
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,420
- Employment: 193,830
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($93,990)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
--- Fresno, CA ($89,480)
22 / 23
Simon Fraser Universtiy // flickr
#2. Instructional coordinators
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $64,720
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,180
- Employment: 176,690
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($117,990)
--- New Haven, CT ($111,750)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($103,980)
- Annual mean salary: $64,720
- #161 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 890
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,180
- Employment: 176,690
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($117,990)
--- New Haven, CT ($111,750)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($103,980)
23 / 23
industryviews // Shutterstock
#1. Career/technical education teachers, secondary school
Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN
- Annual mean salary: $72,940
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,800
- Employment: 74,520
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($102,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,500)
--- New Haven, CT ($85,740)
- Annual mean salary: $72,940
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,800
- Employment: 74,520
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($102,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,500)
--- New Haven, CT ($85,740)
