Careers for Former Math Teachers
For individuals who have worked as math teachers and are considering a career change, there are a number of options to consider that will allow them to put their mathematics skills to good use. Below, we will look at five different careers that may be a good fit for math teachers and discuss what each job entails as well as the necessary educational background.
| Job Title | Median Salary (2020)* | Job Growth (2019-2029)* |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Financial Advisor | $89,330 | 4% |
| Budget Analyst | $78,970 | 3% |
| Insurance Underwriter | $71,790 | -6% |
| Actuary | $111,030 | 18% |
| Mathematician/Statistician | $93,290 | 33% |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Information about Careers for Former Math Teachers
Personal Financial Advisor
Former math teachers may be interested in a career as a personal financial advisor, which involves working with individuals who are in need of advice regarding their personal finances. Personal financial advisors may provide information about various types of investments, how to create different savings funds for college, retirement, and estate planning. This job generally requires a high level of mathematical ability, making it a good fit for math teachers, and personal financial advisors generally are also expected to be knowledgeable about the stock market. These professionals typically have at least a bachelor's degree, and while there is no required undergraduate field of study, a degree in mathematics, finance or accounting may be helpful preparation.
Budget Analyst
Another option for math teachers may be a job as a budget analyst, since this job also requires math skills, as well as attention to detail and organizational ability. Budget analysts typically work for organizations and are responsible for managing the budget, which includes gathering information from all the departments and programs in the organization to create the budget, making recommendations to company executives regarding funding, and making sure the budget is abided by during the fiscal year. To become a budget analyst, you will typically need a bachelor's degree in a field that includes courses in statistics, finance, and accounting.
Insurance Underwriter
Insurance underwriters are responsible for reviewing insurance applications to decide whether or not to provide insurance and if so, how much to provide. These professionals generally work in life, property, and health insurance and must evaluate the level of risk associated with each application by reviewing details related to the applicant, like their age and health situation. Former math teachers would be qualified for this job, as a general bachelor's degree is the standard requirement, along with skills in mathematics and economics.
Actuary
Actuaries also typically work in the insurance industry and are responsible for assessing the likelihood of various events occurring in order to create insurance policies and various business strategies that are as profitable as possible. Actuaries usually work in a specialized field of insurance, like life, health, or casualty insurance, and some may also work with financial analysts and market research analysts to perform other tasks, like predicting demand for new products. These professionals typically have a bachelor's degree in a field like mathematics, making this a good option for former math teachers, as they are likely to have a similar degree.
Mathematician/Statistician
Finally, math teachers may wish to continue working in the field of mathematics in a more specialized capacity as a mathematician or statistician. These professionals can work in a number of different fields, from healthcare to engineering, and are typically tasked with using mathematics to solve real-world problems, like conducting research to determine animal population in an area or figuring out how many people could potentially be suffering from a certain medical condition. Math teachers who have already pursued a master's degree in mathematics or statistics are in a good position to qualify for many of these positions, though some who only have a bachelor's degree may also be eligible.
