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Educational Paraprofessional Careers and Jobs

Select, Find and Prepare for Educational Paraprofessional Careers and Jobs - all on one page

For people who want classroom experience and a faster path into schools than a full teaching credential. Use the tools below to see which educational paraprofessional roles fit your background and goals.

This role supports classroom teachers directly and typically requires less formal education than a teaching credential, making it a faster entry point into schools. Use the tools below to explore Educational Paraprofessional-related job titles sorted by growth rate, salary, or required education. You can start with entry points like Teacher's Aide, or look ahead to advanced roles such as Lead Paraprofessional or Program Coordinator. Along the way, you will see specific certifications, such as Paraprofessional Certification (state-specific), that can help you move up the career ladder.



4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video External Link

This page will take you through 4 steps to (1) Select from Educational Paraprofessional careers/jobs, (2) Find Educational Paraprofessional job listings, (3) Prepare for Educational Paraprofessional careers, and (4) Provide Educational Paraprofessional career-specific resources.

Step 1: Select a Career/Job: This page starts with 4 ways for you to identify and select from listings of Educational Paraprofessional careers/jobs:
A) Fastest Growing Educational Paraprofessional Careers - 2025 to 2035 (est.)
These listings are based on job growth estimates and helps you to identify the fastest growing and evolving Educational Paraprofessional careers. Some careers may not initially seem related to Educational Paraprofessional, so relevant Educational Paraprofessional jobs are listed alongside each listing. This can also help us to identify which careers (bottom of the listing) may have negative growth - perhaps due to automation or planned obsolescence.
B) Median Annual Salary U.S. Educational Paraprofessional Careers
These listings are sorted (descending) by median annual salary in the U.S. This may help us to identify our ideal career. We may not qualify at this time for the desired career, but this listing and the results provided can help us to explore job details, as well as learn how to appropriately prepare for the career.
C) Educational Paraprofessional Career Ladders (Educational Requirements)
These listings will help us to identify Educational Paraprofessional careers sorted by educational requirements (with the most difficult to obtain listed first). This may help us to identify career ladders (as we scroll down the list), and help us to get jobs that we qualify for now.
D) Select From a Listing of 38 Educational Paraprofessional Jobs.
The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.
Once you have identified a job title of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the chosen career. Information may include (not every career choice includes all of the elements below - updates occur quarterly):
Core Duties: Lists the primary worker-related tasks performed in this occupation
Supplemental Duties: Lists additional tasks that are performed but are secondary to the core duties
Work Activities: Summarizes the broad types of behaviors and actions related to this career
Specific Work Activities: Provides more granular day-to-day activities tied to the work performed
Essential Skills: Provides foundational skills that are core to performing this specific occupation
Transferable Skills: Provides career-portable skills that can be applied across multiple occupations and industries
Day-in-the-Life Summaries: Provides a snapshot of the key activities performed on a typical workday in this career
Knowledge Required: Provides the requirements regarding the acquisition of facts and principles
Software Skills: Lists software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized by category and priority
Preparation Required: Provides a summary of the required experience and education
Education Required: Detailed breakdown of the education required
Training and Experience Required: Detailed breakdown of the training and Training and Experience Required
Local Salary Information: Provides national and local salary ranges
Certifications: Provides appropriate government and private-sector certifications and/or credentials that may be required
Professional Associations: Provides professional associations that are related to the career selected
Job Listings: Provides links to active current job listings for the selected career, along with multiple similar job titles to explore. All information appears on this page without navigating away.
Related Careers to Consider: Lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to your initial choice - what they do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit.

** If you clicked on a link from section D (as described in Step 1 above), you will see one or more links to an occupation that is usually a bit more general than your initial job selection - the link(s) is directly related to the specific job you identified through your prior selections.
*NOTE: It is possible that there may not be a career path identified for the specific job you selected in Step 1. If this is the case, scroll up the page and click on a different career/job.

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that provide detailed (updated) links specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview. Can also assist with coffee chats.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.




Step 1 of 4: Select a Career/Job

6 Educational Paraprofessional careers are listed below (sorted by Percentage Change in Total Job Openings - 2025 to 2035 est.). Educational Paraprofessional-related jobs specific to each career are also provided. This shows which careers are emerging and growing the fastest. Please Scroll and Select below:

Occupations U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035 (% change) Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs

Training and Development Specialists 10.8% Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Occupation: Training and Development Specialists U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 10.8% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 3.5% Safety Instruction Police Officer
Occupation: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 3.5% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Safety Instruction Police Officer
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists 2.6% Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Occupation: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 2.6% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Education Administrators, Postsecondary 1.8% Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Occupation: Education Administrators, Postsecondary U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 1.8% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Instructional Coordinators 1.6% Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Occupation: Instructional Coordinators U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: 1.6% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary -0.3% Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Occupation: Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary U.S. Job Openings 2025-2035: -0.3% Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent

7 Educational Paraprofessional careers are listed below (sorted by U.S. National Median Salary). Educational Paraprofessional-related jobs specific to each occupation are also provided. Please Scroll and Select below::

Occupations National Median Salary Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs

Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary $ 105,870 Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Occupation: Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary National Median Salary: $ 105,870 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Education Administrators, Postsecondary $ 104,590 Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Occupation: Education Administrators, Postsecondary National Median Salary: $ 104,590 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Instructional Coordinators $ 77,440 Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Occupation: Instructional Coordinators National Median Salary: $ 77,440 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Adapted Physical Education Specialists $ 76,580 APE Instructional Specialist (Adapted Physical Education Instructional Specialist)
Occupation: Adapted Physical Education Specialists National Median Salary: $ 76,580 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: APE Instructional Specialist (Adapted Physical Education Instructional Specialist)
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $ 76,210 Safety Instruction Police Officer
Occupation: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers National Median Salary: $ 76,210 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Safety Instruction Police Officer
Training and Development Specialists $ 69,280 Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Occupation: Training and Development Specialists National Median Salary: $ 69,280 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists $ 68,270 Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Occupation: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists National Median Salary: $ 68,270 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian

9 Educational Paraprofessional careers are listed (sorted by Education/Preparation Requirements - descending) to provide career ladders. Educational Paraprofessional-related jobs specific to each career are also provided.

Education/Preparation Categories:
5 = Usually requires graduate school (e.g., Master's degree, Ph.D., M.D., or J.D.)
4 = Usually requires a four-year Bachelor's degree
3 = Usually requires vocational training, related on-the-job experience, or Associate's degree
2 = Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, but not always
Please Scroll and Select below:
Occupations Education/Preparation Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs

Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary 5 Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Occupation: Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary Education/Preparation: 5 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Superintendent
Education Administrators, Postsecondary 5 Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Occupation: Education Administrators, Postsecondary Education/Preparation: 5 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Dean; Instruction Vice President (Instruction VP)
Instructional Coordinators 5 Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Occupation: Instructional Coordinators Education/Preparation: 5 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Curriculum and Instruction Director; E-Learning Instructional Designer (Electronic Learning Instructional Designer); Instructional Coach; Instructional Coordinator; Instructional Design Analyst; Instructional Design Consultant; Instructional Design Specialist; Instructional Design Technologist; Instructional Designer; Instructional Manager; Instructional Material Director; Instructional Materials Director; Instructional Specialist; Instructional Systems Designer; Instructional Systems Specialist; Instructional Technologist; Instructional Technology Coordinator; Instructional Technology Facilitator; Instructional Technology Resource Teacher; Instructional Technology Site Technologist; Instructional Technology Specialist
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists 5 Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Occupation: Librarians and Media Collections Specialists Education/Preparation: 5 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Instruction Librarian; Reference and Instruction Librarian
Adapted Physical Education Specialists 4 APE Instructional Specialist (Adapted Physical Education Instructional Specialist)
Occupation: Adapted Physical Education Specialists Education/Preparation: 4 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: APE Instructional Specialist (Adapted Physical Education Instructional Specialist)
Training and Development Specialists 4 Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Occupation: Training and Development Specialists Education/Preparation: 4 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Cyber Instructional Curriculum Developer
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers 3 Safety Instruction Police Officer
Occupation: Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Education/Preparation: 3 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Safety Instruction Police Officer
Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education 3 BSIP Instructional Aide (Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide); Instructional Aide; Instructional Assistant; Instructional Paraprofessional; Preschool Instructional Assistant (Preschool IA)
Occupation: Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education Education/Preparation: 3 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: BSIP Instructional Aide (Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide); Instructional Aide; Instructional Assistant; Instructional Paraprofessional; Preschool Instructional Assistant (Preschool IA)
Teaching Assistants, Special Education 3 Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide (BSIP Instructional Aide); Special Programs Instructional Assistant; SPED Instructional Aide (Special Education Instructional Aide); SPED Instructional Assistant (Special Education Instructional Assistant)
Occupation: Teaching Assistants, Special Education Education/Preparation: 3 Educational Paraprofessional-Related Jobs: Basic Skills Improvement Program Instructional Aide (BSIP Instructional Aide); Special Programs Instructional Assistant; SPED Instructional Aide (Special Education Instructional Aide); SPED Instructional Assistant (Special Education Instructional Assistant)

Scroll through the picklist (below). There are 38 specific Educational Paraprofessional job titles listed. Select those that may be of interest - you will get active job listing links, along with detailed resources to help you prepare for a career related to that job.
You can use this form two ways:

hidden filler

Filter - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the list of job titles below

Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply explore the list of job titles. There may be many that you might never have considered to be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:



Select a Job Title (Scroll and Select) :

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Find Job Listings: Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary.


Search results will open in a new tab.

Note: Job search results work best for U.S.-based locations. For international searches, try searching for "[job title] in [city, country]" directly on the selected job board, or visit their country-specific website.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career





Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary

Description: Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

U.S. Total Employment (2025):
116,900
U.S. Total Employment (2035 est.):
119,500
Employment Change (2025-2035 est.):
2,600 (2.2%)
Average Annual Job Openings (2025-2035 est.):
8,000
Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
Importance: 100 (%) Description: Prepare students for performances, exams, or assessments.
Importance: 99 (%) Description: Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Importance: 99 (%) Description: Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Importance: 99 (%) Description: Plan, evaluate, and revise curricula, course content, course materials, and methods of instruction.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Participate in campus and community events.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
Importance: 98 (%) Description: Evaluate and grade students' class work, performances, projects, assignments, and papers.
Importance: 97 (%) Description: Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
Importance: 95 (%) Description: Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks and performance pieces.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Collaborate with colleagues to address teaching and research issues.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Keep students informed of community events, such as plays and concerts.
Importance: 93 (%) Description: Maintain regularly scheduled office hours to advise and assist students.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Participate in student recruitment, registration, and placement activities.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as acting techniques, fundamentals of music, and art history.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Serve on academic or administrative committees that deal with institutional policies, departmental matters, and academic issues.
Importance: 83 (%) Description: Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Act as advisers to student organizations.
Importance: 71 (%) Description: Display students' work in schools, galleries, and exhibitions.
Supplemental Duties
Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 87 (%) Description: Compile bibliographies of specialized materials for outside reading assignments.
Importance: 67 (%) Description: Maintain or repair studio facilities.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
Importance: 59 (%) Description: Write grant proposals to procure external research funding.
Importance: 58 (%) Description: Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.
Importance: 51 (%) Description: Organize performance groups and direct their rehearsals.
Importance: 51 (%) Description: Supervise undergraduate or graduate teaching, internship, and research work.
Importance: 39 (%) Description: Provide professional consulting services to government or industry.
Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 97 (%) Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 94 (%) Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 90 (%) Description: Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Importance: 89 (%) Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 86 (%) Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 81 (%) Description: Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 80 (%) Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 78 (%) Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Importance: 74 (%) Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 72 (%) Description: Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 65 (%) Description: Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Performing General Physical Activities: Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities
How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Administer tests to assess educational needs or progress.
Advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies.
Advise students on academic or career matters.
Attend training sessions or professional meetings to develop or maintain professional knowledge.
Compile specialized bibliographies or lists of materials.
Coordinate student extracurricular activities.
Develop instructional materials.
Develop instructional objectives.
Direct department activities.
Display student work.
Evaluate effectiveness of educational programs.
Evaluate student work.
Guide class discussions.
Maintain facilities.
Maintain student records.
Order instructional or library materials or equipment.
Perform student enrollment or registration activities.
Plan community programs or activities for the general public.
Prepare tests.
Promote educational institutions or programs.
Repair structural components.
Research topics in area of expertise.
Select educational materials or equipment.
Serve on institutional or departmental committees.
Stay informed about current developments in field of specialization.
Supervise student research or internship work.
Teach humanities courses at the college level.
Tutor students who need extra assistance.
Write articles, books or other original materials in area of expertise.
Write grant proposals.
Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance)
For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 96 (%) Description: Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Importance: 92 (%) Description: Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Importance: 84 (%) Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 70 (%) Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: History and Archeology: Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Philosophy and Theology: Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
Importance: 63 (%) Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 61 (%) Description: Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance)
These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 77 (%) Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 68 (%) Description: Learning Strategies: Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 66 (%) Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 64 (%) Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 62 (%) Description: Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance)
These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%) Description
Importance: 73 (%) Description: Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 60 (%) Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Importance: 56 (%) Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 54 (%) Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 52 (%) Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?
Activity: Advise others on educational or vocational matters.
Activity: Assess student capabilities, needs, or performance.
Activity: Compile records, documentation, or other data.
Activity: Coordinate group, community, or public activities.
Activity: Develop educational programs, plans, or procedures.
Activity: Direct organizational operations, activities, or procedures.
Activity: Evaluate programs, practices, or processes.
Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise.
Activity: Maintain facilities or equipment.
Activity: Maintain operational records.
Activity: Perform administrative or clerical activities.
Activity: Plan events or programs.
Activity: Prepare informational or instructional materials.
Activity: Prepare proposals or grant applications.
Activity: Promote products, services, or programs.
Activity: Purchase goods or services.
Activity: Select materials or equipment for operations or projects.
Activity: Serve on organizational committees.
Activity: Set up classrooms, facilities, educational materials, or equipment.
Activity: Supervise personnel activities.
Activity: Teach academic or vocational subjects.
Activity: Write material for artistic or commercial purposes.
Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?
Widely Used Tech Skills
Computer based training software:
Learning management system LMS
Emerging Tech Skills
Data base management system software:
MySQL
Desktop publishing software:
Adobe InDesign
Development environment software:
Microsoft Visual Studio
Document management software:
Adobe Acrobat
Electronic mail software:
Microsoft Outlook
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Office suite software:
Microsoft Office software
Operating system software:
Linux
Presentation software:
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software:
Microsoft Excel
Video creation and editing software:
Adobe After Effects
Web platform development software:
Cascading style sheets CSS
Hypertext markup language HTML
JavaScript
PHP
Word processing software:
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
General Software Tools
Computer aided design CAD software:
Autodesk Maya
Computer based training software (scroll table below):
Blackboard Learn
Blackboard software
Course management system software
Desire2Learn LMS software
Moodle
Sakai CLE
Desktop communications software:
Edmodo
Desktop publishing software:
QuarkXPress
Development environment software:
PhoneGap
Electronic mail software:
Email software
Graphics or photo imaging software:
Faux Labs Splashup
Next Limit Maxwell Render
Red Giant Trapcode Particular
The Pixel Farm PFTrack
Information retrieval or search software:
DOC Cop
iParadigms Turnitin
Internet browser software:
Web browser software
Music or sound editing software (scroll table below):
Adobe Audition
Apple Logic Pro
Komplete Kontrol
Propellerhead Software Reason
Pure Data PD
Sonic Studio audio software
Optical character reader OCR or scanning software:
Image scanning software
Video creation and editing software (scroll table below):
Apple DVD Studio Pro
Apple Final Cut Pro
Autodesk MotionBuilder
Pixar RenderMan Studio
The Foundry Nuke
Web page creation and editing software:
Adobe Dreamweaver
Word processing software:
Collaborative editing software
Preparation Required
Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment
This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 50.7 (%) Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 31.7 (%) Level of Education: Doctoral Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 13.9 (%) Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 1.6 (%) Level of Education: Post-Master's Certificate
Frequency of Attainment: 1.4 (%) Level of Education: Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
Frequency of Attainment: 0.7 (%) Level of Education: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment
This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%) Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 28.0 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 19.8 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 18.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 10.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 9.7 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 7.4 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 4.1 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 2.5 (%) Level of Training and Work Experience: None
Certifications
Certifications
These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?
National Board Certification - Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood - Music External Link
Nationally Certified Teacher of Music External Link
Professional Associations
Professional Associations
These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?
Moving on Center - School for Participatory Arts & Somatic Research (MOC) External Link
National Art Education Association (NAEA) External Link
National Association for Music Education (NAME) External Link
National Office for Arts Accreditation in Higher Education External Link
Job Listings
Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings


Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources

This section contains detailed external resources appropriate to "Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.


Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.


Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.


Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.


Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.


Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary". Use these links to find a job.


Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary". Use these links to find a job.


Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.


Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary


Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...


LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.


Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary" occupation.






Developed by Dr. Ralph Jagodka, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus of Business Management at Mt. San Antonio College and author of the Harvard Business Impact article "What to Do When Students Ask You for Career Advice." - Full bio. © 2026 About This Page