Is it worth getting an MA for a better position than I have now?

Hi all. I came to Japan as a JET in 2018 – I was in my late 20s and am 34 now.

I planned on staying for a couple of years and then returning to America to go to graduate school and become a TESOL teacher there. But after COVID hit and it seemed to me like teaching in America has become a total nightmare, so I put those plans on hold.

I have a pretty nice direct hire position but with no hope of ever getting a raise and with the fact that I'm now middle age, I need to get out.

There are other options aside from teaching that I'm considering, but basically I would like to know how worthwhile it would be to get an MA in teaching while I am here.

I am fortunate in that I T1 and plan lessons quite a bit at my current job – there is very little "human tape recorder" type stuff. But of course on paper I am just an ALT, and I know that my resume isn't going to look as good as someone with experience being a full time teacher.

I have seen conflicting reports as to whether or not any sort of worthwhile teaching job (i.e. not an ALT, bonuses, possibility of getting raises, etc.) requires actual in classroom teaching experience, especially in your home country. Is there a real path out simply by getting the graduate degree and applying for jobs? Or is the competition truly too great, and it would be a hopeless waste of time and money even trying?

Thanks in advance.