From what I saw as a Head of Studies, most TEFL teachers fall into one of these paths:
1) Academy route → staying in schools, possibly moving into senior or coordination roles
2) Specialist route → exam classes (IELTS, Cambridge), higher-value teaching
3) Independent route → private clients, corporate work, online teaching
4) Transition route → QTS, international schools, or moving out of TEFL
Most people stay stuck because they don’t clearly understand these options.
Which one are you currently on?