My Colorado Journey
  • EssentialA role that keeps core services and infrastructure running for Colorado communities.
  • Public ServiceA role serving the public through government or community institutions.
  • Top JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Education Career Pathways

Shape the next generation through teaching, counseling, and educational leadership. Colorado needs dedicated educators across all levels.

  • Median Salary

    $64,834

    Statewide industry median

  • 10-Year Growth

    +14%

    Statewide projection

  • Pathway Roles

    13

    Pathway roles

  • Required Education

    Bachelor's

    Education/Teaching

Explore Colorado Education

Colorado's educator shortage is your opportunity

Colorado schools actively need teachers, and the state has built alternative pathways so you can earn while you learn and finish your degree.

The big picture

Colorado schools are actively hiring, and new apprenticeship pathways make teaching more accessible than ever.

Here, students and career changers can build classrooms and lead learning across these pathways:

  • Designing lesson plans for diverse learners
  • Mentoring students through academic growth
  • Supporting classroom instruction as a paraprofessional
  • Coaching youth in after-school and enrichment programs
  • Building relationships with families and communities
  • Co-leading professional development and training
  • FIRST IN STATE

    Teacher degree apprenticeship approved

    Colorado launched its first teacher degree apprenticeship, letting educators earn a salary while completing certification and a bachelor's degree.

  • ELEMENTARY TEACHER MEDIAN

    $63,250

    Colorado's representative median annual wage for elementary teachers, from the state OEWS occupational wage data.

  • EDUCATOR SHORTAGE

    Unfilled positions ongoing

    Colorado continues to track educator shortages statewide, creating immediate demand for both classroom teachers and support staff.

  • ALTERNATIVE PATHWAYS

    Multiple licensure routes

    Colorado's Department of Education explicitly supports alternative teacher licensure in addition to traditional university programs.

EARN WHILE YOU LEARN

Teacher degree apprenticeship flips the script

Colorado's approved teacher degree apprenticeship pairs earning salary with mentoring from experienced teachers and completing a bachelor's degree. CareerWise partners and Colorado Mountain College are already part of the model in participating school districts.

CTE STARTS HERE

Education pathway launches in high school

Colorado's CTE includes Education and Training, Teacher Cadet, Para-Professional Educator and Early Childhood Education offerings—giving you a head start before college.

NOT JUST CLASSROOM

Many routes fit many personalities

Paraprofessional, early-childhood assistant, after-school educator, classroom support specialist, counselor, and school administrator tracks all exist. Not everyone teaches 30 middle-schoolers.

CAREER CHANGER FRIENDLY

Your background already counts

Public speaking, patience, youth development, coaching, bilingual communication and content expertise are huge. Career switchers often enter through paraprofessional or alternative licensure routes without starting over completely.

EXPLORE FIRST

Colorado makes education visible

Attend teacher-apprenticeship information sessions, visit district hiring events, volunteer in classrooms, explore CSU Spur education programs for youth, and observe real teaching before committing.

CLEAR CERTIFICATION LADDERS

Educator Preparation Program Search maps the whole system

CDE's official search tool shows every approved traditional and alternative program in the state, making it easy to find the path that fits your timeline and learning style.

Career paths · where you fit in

Career-changer skills already fit here.

Military, retail leadership, coaching, customer service and technical backgrounds all bring useful skills into education—communication, patience, organization and youth development are learned, not mystical.

01/Start in the classroom

  • Paraprofessional
  • Early-childhood assistant
  • After-school educator
  • Classroom support specialist

02/Earn while you learn

  • Teacher apprentice
  • Apprenticeship participant
  • Concurrent-enrollment student
  • Alternative-pathway candidate

03/Get your license

  • Licensed classroom teacher
  • Special education teacher
  • English language learner specialist
  • Career and technical education teacher

04/Lead the system

  • School counselor
  • School administrator
  • Instructional coach
  • District curriculum specialist