Top 5 Jobs for Former Science and STEM Teachers Outside of Education

Exploring New Jobs for Former Science and STEM Teachers

As a former science or STEM teacher, you have a fantastic toolkit of transferable skills. Personally, I preferred reading and writing during my school days, so explaining physics equations or setting up experiments were never my strong suits (and I wish they were, because science and Maths roles are very well paid in the corporate world!)

If you excel at breaking down complex concepts, following rigorous methodologies, and making sense of data, you can smoothly transition into a wide range of corporate and technical roles outside the classroom.

I’ve compiled a list of the top high-paying job opportunities for former science and STEM teachers- and the best part is, you don’t need a PhD or loads of corporate experience to get started.

1. EdTech Curriculum Specialist (STEM & Lab Simulations)

If you're a former Science and STEM Teacher and you love curriculum design, but are burnt out by classroom management, then pivoting into EdTech as a Curriculum Specialist is an easy transition. EdTech publishers and virtual lab software companies (like Labster or Amplify Science) actively hire former STEM teachers to design digital learning pathways, ensure scientific accuracy, and build interactive lab content.

Salaries in EdTech are very competitive. In the UK, roles typically range from £32K to £52K. In the US, entry-level to mid-tier positions usually pay between $70K and $95K depending on the platform.

What Does an EdTech Curriculum Specialist Do?

• Design interactive STEM learning modules and assessments

• Collaborate with software engineers to build realistic science simulations

• Ensure digital learning content aligns with state or national education standards

• Review user feedback from teachers and students to refine software features

  
  

Tip: When applying, reframe your classroom experience to sound like product development e.g.:

• Designed hands-on STEM curriculum modules that increased student engagement metrics by 25%.

• Evaluated digital learning software to map learning objectives to standard performance benchmarks.

  
  

How Do You Become an EdTech Curriculum Specialist?

A great way to show employers you can use technology to make learning more interactive and engaging is by taking the Active Learning in STEM with PhET Interactive Simulations Specialization by University of Colorado Boulder on Coursera. This self-paced specialisation takes about 3 to 4 months at around 5–8 hours a week. It focuses specifically on digital simulation tools, user interaction and technology-based science design, giving you direct portfolio experience to talk about in interviews.

2. Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist: Keeping Workplaces Safe

If you’ve spent years running science labs, managing chemical inventories, enforcing safety goggles, and following strict protocols, you already do the core work of an Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist! Companies in manufacturing, corporate real estate, research facilities, and local government hire EHS Specialists to ensure their operations meet safety and environmental standards.

In the UK, entry-level EHS roles start around £30K to £42K. In the US, starting salaries range between $68K and $88K, with clear room for growth into regional director roles ($100K+).

What Do EHS Specialists Do?

• Conduct safety audits and risk assessments across facilities

• Ensure compliance with hazardous material handling and disposal regulations

• Train staff on safety procedures and emergency response protocols

• Investigate workplace incidents and file regulatory reports

  
  

How Do You Become an EHS Specialist?

To build immediate credibility on your resume for industrial and corporate safety roles, look at the Industrial Biotechnology Specialization by the University of Manchester on Coursera.This course takes roughly 1 to 3 months (at 5–8 hours a week) and covers industrial bioprocessing, chemical handling, and regulatory standards. It adds immediate technical weight to your resume if you're making the jump from high school lab safety to corporate compliance. 

3. Bio-Informatics & Health Data Associate: Bridging Biology and Tech

For teachers with a background in biology, genetics, or environmental science, Health Data and Bio-Informatics roles offer a lucrative bridge into the healthcare and biotech sectors. These roles involve collecting, organizing, and analyzing biological datasets for healthcare networks, genetics companies, or biotech research firms.

Salaries for entry-level associates range from £32K to £45K in the UK and $72K to $92K in the US, as health data is one of the fastest-growing industries globally.

What Do Bio-Informatics & Health Data Associates Do?

• Organize and manage electronic health records or genetic datasets

• Use software tools to spot trends in patient health data or trial results

• Ensure data hygiene and compliance with health data privacy laws

• Prepare data summaries for medical researchers and product teams

  
  

How Do You Become a Health Data Associate?

A standout credential for biology and general science educators is the Data Science for Healthcare Specialization on Coursera.

This 3-course series takes about 2 to 3 months at 7 hours a week. It introduces health data standards, predictive modeling, and medical analytics without requiring an advanced degree in computer science.   

4. Technical Account Manager / Customer Success Manager (STEM Software)

If you have great people skills, love solving technical problems, and enjoy guiding others through tools, a role as a Customer Success Manager (CSM) for STEM or scientific software companies is a great fit. EdTech platforms, lab inventory software companies, and scientific publishing tools need people who understand the scientific end-user and can help corporate clients onboard smoothly.

In the UK, entry-level CSM salaries range from £32K to £45K (plus bonuses). In the US, compensation generally falls between $70K and $95K.

What Do Customer Success Managers Do?

• Onboard new corporate or institutional clients onto software platforms

• Conduct technical training sessions and webinars for client teams

• Build long-term relationships to increase software renewal rates

• Translate client feedback into actionable feature requests for software developers

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How Do You Become a Customer Success Manager?

While your communication skills as a teacher carry you halfway there, demonstrating knowledge of corporate CRM tools gives you an edge. Consider taking the Salesforce Sales Operations Professional Certificate on Coursera.

This program takes about 3 to 4 months at 8–10 hours a week and teaches you how corporate client databases, workflow pipelines, and customer management systems function behind the scenes.

5. Medical & Regulatory Writer: High-Demand Scientific Documentation

Unlike general freelance writing, Medical and Regulatory Writing requires an understanding of scientific methodology, clinical terminology, and precise formatting. Medical writers draft regulatory submission documents, drug trial summaries, patient education guides, and medical device operating manuals for pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

Because it requires specialized domain knowledge, starting salaries are very high. Entry-level roles range from £35K to £48K in the UK and $75K to $98K in the US.

What Do Regulatory Writers Do?

• Draft technical documentation for regulatory approvals (like FDA or EMA compliance)

• Translate complex clinical trial data into clear regulatory reports

• Review medical publications for accuracy, tone, and compliance

• Collaborate with clinical trial directors, doctors, and legal teams

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How Do You Become a Regulatory Writer?

To build strong credibility with healthcare recruiters, check out the Drug Development Product Management Specialization by UC San Diego on Coursera.

This self-paced program takes 3 to 6 months at around 5–8 hours per week. It walks you through how medical products and drugs move from initial discovery through clinical trials and regulatory approval, giving you the exact industry terminology needed on your CV.

Conclusion: Take the First Step Today

If you come from a science or STEM teaching background, your analytical mindset, attention to safety protocols, and ability to translate complex systems are in high demand across tech, corporate safety, and healthcare.

If you're eager to start applying but feel unsure how to rework your CV or write a cover letter that catches hiring managers' attention, I encourage you to download my Resume Guide here.

Additionally, check out these helpful posts:

• How To Write A Resume: A Guide for Teachers Changing Careers

• Shop my Career Toolkit (includes three guides: a Resume Guide, a Cover Letter Guide and a Transferable Skills Guide).

• Shop my Resume Template Bundle

  
  

If none of these roles sound like you, I've got you covered!:

• Top 5 Jobs Maths and Science Teachers Can Career Pivot Into

• High-Paying Jobs English Teachers Can Career Pivot Into

  
  

Remember, you have the skills and potential to thrive in a new career. Embrace this change with confidence!

As always, feel free to drop your comments and suggestions for other posts so I can continue helping other teachers who feel stuck and want to thrive in a new career.