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Mathematics Teachers

Outlook

Employment for both middle school and high school teachers is predicted to decline by 1 percent through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). "The number of students in public middle schools is expected to decrease over the projections decade," the DOL explains. "The number of classes needed to accommodate these students will depend on class size, with larger classes requiring fewer teachers than smaller ones." School-aged population and enrollment declines also will impact conditions at the high school level during the next 10 years, while state and local budget cutbacks may result in some layoffs. Postsecondary math teachers will see employment increase by 3 percent between 2023 and 2033.

The U.S. Department of Education predicts that compared to 2019, the total number of new teacher hires will be 18 percent lower in 2030. Despite these forecasts, many school districts throughout the United States were contending with staffing shortages during the mid-2020s. However, conditions varied by school district, state, and profession. In October 2024, Education Week reported that “a majority of school leaders with vacancies say they can’t get enough qualified teachers to fill open posts, particularly in perennial high-need areas such as special education and science, technology, engineering, and math fields.” Teachers with prior experience and flexibility to relocate for work will have an advantage in the job market.

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