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Job outlook for personal development educators in the United States
Are personal development educator jobs in demand?
Personal development educator job and salary trends over time
Personal development educator jobs over time
Personal development educator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 460 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 435 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 428 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 399 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 384 | 0.00% |
Average personal development educator salary over time
Personal development educator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $70,792 | $34.03 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $69,109 | $33.23 | +0.6% |
| 2023 | $68,725 | $33.04 | +0.8% |
| 2022 | $68,150 | $32.76 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $66,637 | $32.04 | +1.4% |
Personal development educator jobs by state
Most common states for personal development educators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 304 | 23% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 154 | 21% |
| 3 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 206 | 20% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 152 | 20% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 240 | 18% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 157 | 18% |
| 7 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 302 | 16% |
| 8 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 905 | 15% |
| 9 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 993 | 14% |
| 10 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 438 | 14% |
| 11 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 412 | 14% |
| 12 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 410 | 14% |
| 13 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 288 | 14% |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,616 | 13% |
| 15 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,363 | 13% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,354 | 13% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 843 | 13% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 765 | 13% |
| 19 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,112 | 11% |
| 20 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 660 | 11% |
Most common cities for personal development educators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orange | 1 | 1% | $70,551 |
| 2 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $69,242 |
| 3 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $71,157 |
| 4 | Riverside | 1 | 0% | $70,391 |
Personal Development Educator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of personal development educator experts
Saginaw Valley State University
King's College
Business Specialist
Washington University in St. Louis
Cabrini University
Ashland University
Gonzaga University
Rocky Mountain College
Clemson University
University of Arizona
Marquette University
University of Missouri
Dr. Deborah Smith
Professor of Teacher EducationSaginaw Valley State University
Department of Teacher Education - Middle/Secondary Education
What skills stand out on Personal Development Educator resumes?
Dr. Deborah Smith: Actual classroom experience stands out, as do other interactions with students related to the position sought. So, for example, working with Special Olympics helps those seeking a SPED position. Coaching experience helps, especially if it's with students the same age as will be taught. Tutoring stands out, as do technological skills that can be highlighted with the portfolio submitted for the position.
Dara Soljaga Ph.D.
Associate Dean of EducationKing's College
Education Department
What skills stand out on Personal Development Educator resumes?
Dara Soljaga Ph.D.: I find compassion, communication, collaboration, and accountability stand out the most for me on educator resumes.
Thomas Matula Ph.D.
Professor of Business AdministrationBusiness Specialist
Business Administration Department
What skills stand out on Personal Development Educator resumes?
Thomas Matula Ph.D.: The ability to handle the technology and software for remote work. Students who have taken multiple courses online will have an advantage as successful remote learning requires the same skills as successful remote work.
Andrew Sobel Ph.D.
Director and Professor of Global StudiesWashington University in St. Louis
Global Studies
What hard/technical skills are most important for Personal Development Educators?
Andrew Sobel Ph.D.: Demonstrable, marketable skills: critical thinking furthered by interdisciplinary study, intercultural sensitivity and awareness, adaptability and flexibility, etc.
Our grads land in a wide variety of settings such as grad school, many head to policy-oriented jobs in DC or in NGOs here and abroad, consultancies, corporate positions, etc.
Amber Gentile
Graduate Secondary Education Program Coordinator, Middle Level Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor of Teacher EducationCabrini University
Teacher Education Program
What experience really stands out on Personal Development Educator resumes?
Amber Gentile: Experience working with children stands out due to the experience itself and that it reflects an interest in working with youth. It also helps if teacher candidates have experience working in an urban setting or an underperforming school to appreciate the challenges that may exist in the field. It allows candidates to speak of personal experiences in an interview that highlights the challenges they have witnessed/experienced and how they worked to overcome them. Educators need to be in it for the kids.
The experience that shows leadership capabilities and active involvement in projects is a stand out as well. We need teacher leaders and educators who get involved and make active contributions to the betterment of the community.
What Personal Development Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amber Gentile: It is recommended that graduates continuously look to enhance their inter and intrapersonal skill sets. It is when we "push ourselves" beyond our "comfort zones" that growth is maximized. Graduates should get involved in something that matters to them and challenges them. Being passionate about something experienced and of interest helps a teacher candidate to stand out. Volunteering in schools and organizations that are mission-oriented in improving children's lives is very beneficial for both personal and professional growth.
Being involved in experiences interacting with and supporting children's holistic development can help build a skill set to guide future work. Social, emotional, and relationship-building skills are critical in the classroom. The key is knowing how to help students develop these skills. It is also an excellent idea to enhance one's comfort with, and knowledge of, technology and how it can increase engagement and student learning. This enhanced skillset can be accomplished through formal courses, webinars, and personal exploration.
Essential skills include data-driven decision-making, lessons to support kids' social and emotional needs, community building, culturally relevant and sustaining education practices, understanding of trauma-informed practices and instruction, and current best practices in literacy and math instruction are essential.
Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian
Assistant Professor of Leadership StudiesAshland University
Dwight Schar College of Education
What skills stand out on Personal Development Educator resumes?
Dr. Peter G. Ghazarian: Schools and other organizations are looking for flexibility, diversity of experiences, and technological expertise in their educators. Educational organizations have gone through a trial by fire over the past couple of years, requiring them to repeatedly make sudden, drastic changes to how they operate. These changes have relied on folks willing to blaze new paths, venture beyond their comfort zones, and use new resources as they become available. A resume that demonstrates those abilities will stand out.
How do you envision technology impacting Personal Development Educators in the next 5 years?
Shannon Dunn Ph.D.: Technology will continue to make possible new types of research and connections in theology and religious studies. However, religious studies scholars will need to examine the impact technology has on our collective lives, happiness, and the nature of the social conflict. The great news is that students of religion and theology have a great foundation in critical thinking to undertake that type of study.
Elizabeth McNamer
Assistant ProfessorRocky Mountain College
Philosophy and Religious Studies
What type of skills will young Personal Development Educators need?
Elizabeth McNamer: Critical thinking.
What experience really stands out on Personal Development Educator resumes?
Pamela Stecker Ph.D.: Because I am not hiring teachers, I am not sure how resumes always are perceived. However, I know that our particular education majors are highly sought after, particularly in our state/region. School district personnel know that they can count on our graduates' knowledge and field-based experience in evidence-based methods.
District personnel often tell our faculty that our grads were impressive when they interviewed because they could discuss practices in academic progress monitoring, data-based decision making, explicit instructional strategies, behavior and classroom management, and functional behavior assessments. Many of our students list these practices on their resumes as part of the brief descriptions of activities they engaged in during particular field placements or student teaching.
Most of our students have been able to list various extracurricular experiences with individuals with disabilities on their resumes as well. Clemson faculty and student groups provide multiple opportunities for engagement with individuals with disabilities. For example, ClemsonLIFE is a postsecondary program for young adults with disabilities seeking a university experience. Our majors (and others) work as teachers of life-skills classes, as resident assistants in apartments, and as buddies when working out or going to movies.
A faculty member organized TOPSoccer and Challenger Baseball as sports activities for youth in the local counties. Our student chapter of the Council for Exceptional Children hosts Special Olympics games on Clemson's campus for area youth. Additionally, many of our majors volunteer at summer camps or as assistants with behavior therapy.
What Personal Development Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Pamela Stecker Ph.D.: If a beginning teacher cannot teach full-time for some reason during the first year out, I would recommend substitute teaching, working as a paraprofessional, or engaging in some other position that affords experience in working with students, especially in school or work-related settings.
Another option is working on a master's degree or a certificate program focused on a skill set not highlighted or offered in the undergraduate program, such as behavior analysis, strategies for working with culturally and linguistically diverse individuals, or even becoming more proficient with instructional and assistive technologies. Any of these areas would be recognized as a value-added for a potential teacher hire.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Personal Development Educators, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Bryan Carter Ph.D.: Starting salaries for assistant professors are decent. Not great, but will be above the poverty line. It will depend on the type of academic position one receives. Salary prospects for those with digital skillsets will be higher over the years.
What experience really stands out on Personal Development Educator resumes?
Laurie Marks: The experience that stands out is those where one engages in something that shows you can problem solve, work independently and, most importantly, build something to be proud of. For example, if a student can get a gap year experience where they work at a non-profit setting up new a program from scratch, it can shine on a resume and a job interview. When one builds something they are proud of that helps others, the excitement can shine through on paper and conversation.
What Personal Development Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laurie Marks: One crucial thing any upcoming grad (including those studying Conflict Resolution) can do is look for experiences through internships or other forms of experiential learning that will help them build both soft skills and technical skills. For example, this means seeking opportunities where they are learning both written and verbal communication skills and cross-cultural communication skills. Having a robust and soft skill set is critical, especially in the first few years of one's career, developing a professional identity. Getting experience with the technical skills employers seek when trying to hire someone with a background in conflict resolution is also critical. Going into a job interview and talking specifically about how you were a part of engaging groups in one or more forms of conflict resolution methods can set potential candidates apart from others. Learning the methods and theories is essential, but equally important is applying it and reflecting on how you want to articulate your experience in an interview.
Dr. Stephen Graves Ph.D
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Missouri
Department of Black Studies
What Personal Development Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Stephen Graves Ph.D: If they plan on taking a gap year before going back to grad/law school or work, it would be wise for those students to stay current. A lot can happen in a year so students would be smart to stay current in their field's professional trends. You don't want to be left behind or out of the loop with current trends in your industry. Identify the most critical skill in your field and work hard on it. Stay relevant, stay in tune with the trends, and work on your personal development.