Education

The job market for teachers and education-related jobs varies depending on the economy. There will always be a need for educators, but the competition will be keen for jobs in more desirable school districts with higher budgets and more resources.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), employment in the field of educational instruction is expected to grow slower than the average through 2033. Employment growth varies depending upon the job, type of school, and geographic location. Aside from growth within the field, many job openings will arise from the need to replace workers who retire or change occupations.

Average employment growth, about 5 percent, is expected for preschool teachers through 2033. Approximately 23,300 new jobs will be added by 2033, according to the DOL. Parents' interest in early childhood education and preschool services is projected to continue. Many preschools that were closed during the pandemic have since reopened. The number of students enrolled in preschool in the 2022-2023 school year increased by 7 percent over the 2021-2022 school year. Of particular note was that the number of 4 year old enrolled increased by 35 percent in 2022-2023 compared to the previous school year, according to a report by the National Institute for Early Education Research. The report noted, however, that the number of preschool enrollments was still lower the the pre-pandemic levels; that some states still did not have preschool programs; and that many states that do have preschool programs did not yet meet most of the preschool benchmarks. Funding for preschools also continues to be a problem that all preschools in the U.S. face.

The number of teachers in kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools is projected to decline by 1 percent through 2033. The reason for this drop in jobs will be due to decreasing student enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools. Employment growth will vary depending upon the region and also depending on state and local government budgets. There will continue to be job opportunities for school teachers due to retirements, and also due to the increase in charter schools and the drive to reduce the student-teacher ratio and improve educational quality and standards.

The U.S. Department of Labor projects average employment growth (4 percent) for school and career counselors, and much faster than average employment growth for audiologists (11 percent) and speech-language pathologists (18 percent), through 2033. Job opportunities may also be better for teachers with certain specialties, such as experience in early childhood intervention or skills in working with students who have multiple disabilities, severe disabilities, or autism spectrum disorders. Despite an increasing enrollment of special education students, however, continued emphasis on inclusion of disabled students in general education classrooms, the effort to reach students with problems at younger ages, and legal requirements to provide services, growth will be hampered by the availability of funds to hire special education teachers.

The number of teacher assistant positions will decrease by 1 percent through 2033. The teacher assistant job is a supplementary role and is particularly subject to budget cuts. When school districts cut their budgets, among the first jobs to be cut are teacher assistants. There is high turnover in this profession due to the low pay and other factors, and job opportunities will arise from the need to replace workers who leave the field for other work.

The number of postsecondary teaching jobs is expected to grow by 8 percent through 2033, faster than the average. This increase is due to increased enrollment at colleges and universities throughout the country. There will be greater demand for part-time postsecondary teachers, however, due to the limited number of full-time tenure and nontenure job openings. A decline of 1 percent in employment is projected for elementary and secondary school principals through 2033. The continuing drop in student enrollment at schools coupled with budgetary concerns will keep employment levels from growing at the same pace as other jobs in the field. Career and technical education teachers will have little or no employment growth through 2033. Those with experience and certifications in their subject area will have the advantage in the job market.

It is clear that enrollment in schools plays a vital role in the number of teaching and other jobs in schools. Enrollments in elementary, middle, and secondary school are expected to decline in the coming years. If student enrollment picks up, however, more teachers will be needed to fill job openings. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the total enrollment in U.S. public elementary and secondary schools is projected to decrease by 5 percent from fall 2022 through to fall 2031. The states that offer the highest levels of employment for kindergarten and elementary school teachers are California, Texas, New York, New Jersey, Florida, and Illinois, according to the Department of Labor. Opportunities should be strong for educators who specialize in the teaching of mathematics, science (especially chemistry and physics), bilingual education, and foreign languages.

Postsecondary student enrollments are expected to increase in the coming years. Employment at this level depends in part on the availability of funding to academic and research institutes. Although college enrollment is expected to increase, competition for full-time faculty and administrator positions will remain high. Lower paid, part-time instructors, such as visiting professors and graduate students, are replacing tenure-track faculty positions. Organizations such as the American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers are working to prevent the loss of full-time jobs, as well as to help part-time instructors receive better pay and benefits.

More instructors will find work in community colleges and other adult education programs. The federal government is committed to providing vocational training for high school graduates who choose not to enroll immediately in four-year colleges or universities. These school-to-work programs prepare graduating seniors for high-wage technical jobs and require trained adult and vocational education teachers.

The coronavirus pandemic of 2020 disrupted all traditional models of education. Closing schools and forcing students out of classrooms and onto virtual platforms, educating in the era of COVID-19 meant educators needed to master new skills and technology. They also faced risk of infection even with limitations on classroom time and limited interaction with students and staff. Districts around the country reported losing some teachers and staff to retirement in the face of these obstacles. Overall demand for teachers and related professionals has remained steady, though, as schools continue to seek replacements or even additional staff to support a range of learning options in classrooms and for remote classes.

As of January 2025, the educational services industry in the U.S. is valued at $1.9 trillion, employing about 14 million people. From 2019 through 2024, this sector experienced slow annual grow of about .7 percent. According to the research group IBISWorld, the educational services industry will grow from 2025 through 2030. The pace of growth will be muted, however, by the decrease in the K-12 student population.

Post pandemic, more schools will be adapting artificial intelligence technology to provide students with options beyond in-person, on-site education. As described in an education industry article, "COVID-19 has proven to be an accelerator of many trends. Institutions experiencing financial hardship pre-pandemic are now experiencing more financial hardship. Citizens looking for learning opportunities to secure their financial futures pre-pandemic are now looking for more fast, engaging, and creative learning opportunities to address their skills gaps and career desires."