Education is one of the most important and fulfilling careers I have ever had. Not only do teachers fill an essential role in society by helping to shape young minds, but they also help prepare children for the future. In addition to passing on knowledge to the next generation, teachers also help adults develop specialized skills to advance their careers. So if you are considering a career in education or have recently graduated, here is the teaching jobs outlook for 2023.
Facing a National Shortage of Teachers
Although teaching can be a very rewarding career, it does present certain drawbacks that have led people to choose other professions. Namely, it offers low pay for the long hours it requires. Unfortunately, we already had a shortage of qualified teachers. But, the problem is likely to become more widespread in the coming years.
The pandemic hit educators hard with teachers shouldering the brunt of the transition to online curriculums. As everyone adjusted, teachers had to put in extra hours creating new lesson plans for remote classrooms and ensuring their students kept pace with state standards. However, many chose to retire early or find other positions with better salaries. This made a difficult situation even worse.
Now, many states have reported that they are issuing fewer teaching licenses each year and are having trouble filling vacancies, especially in poor and rural areas. School districts continue scrambling to find substitutes when teachers call out. In many cases, it has become an all-hands-on-deck situation with schools calling on retired teachers, administrators, parents, and even the national guard to help out in the classroom. Some classes have had to go fully remote since they couldn’t find teachers to fill these roles.
However, this will come as good news to those who want to pursue a career in education since the demand is expected to steadily increase in the future. Experts predict that the national employment rate for teachers will grow by 5% between 2021 to 2031. While there is a need in all subject areas, the greatest demand is for science, math, and bilingual education teachers. Furthermore, there is a dire need for teaching assistants to support educators in the classroom. This means there will be ample opportunities to choose from in most districts across the country.
Incentives for New Teachers
Although the declining enrollment in teaching programs will increase the demand, there are plenty of incentives for new teachers. For example, many states are increasing salaries, offering higher wages at the lower levels, and allowing teachers to advance more quickly through traditional salary schedules. Several districts are also giving bonuses from federal relief funding and subsidizing tuition to help pay for the required certifications.
However, one of the most notable changes has been the loosening of qualifications. Schools have had to become less stringent with credential requirements in order to attract more teachers. For many, this means fewer years attending university and less financial burden from student loans. Additionally, they have started looking for teachers outside formal training programs and employed new strategies to develop qualified teachers. As a result, school districts are expanding pathways into classroom positions through mentor programs and fostering teacher aides to help them qualify for available positions.
All of these efforts are to bolster the pipeline of new teachers. Sadly, it may still not be enough to properly staff schools. Many people fear that greater numbers of teachers will leave the profession altogether for better-paying and less stressful career paths. Therefore, it has become even more important for states to focus on recruitment and retention to keep pace with job vacancies.
Career Options in Education
The truth is that no one gets into teaching to get rich. But if you have the desire to help others learn and succeed, the teaching jobs outlook is great for 2023. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to work with a variety of ages and content areas. In addition to teaching in the classroom, there are also positions in administration and counseling as well.
To give you a better idea of the current outlook for each level, here are the latest statistics reported to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2021.
Preschool
Right now, there are approximately 59,600 job openings for early childhood and preschool positions across the country. And, government officials predict that demand will increase by 18% by 2030. Teachers at this level earn an average annual salary of $47,281.
Kindergarten and Elementary
There is the greatest demand for kindergarten and elementary school teachers (grades K-5) with 124,300 current openings. This figure is expected to grow by 7% over the next decade. If you accept a position at this level, it pays an average salary of $70,599 a year.
Middle School
Those who prefer working with older children should have no problem finding a job since there are approximately 48,400 middle school positions (Grades 6-8) open. The estimated growth for demand matches that for elementary school positions. However, it does have a lower median salary of $59,956 per year.
High School
Currently, our nation has 77,400 high school positions (Grades 9-12) to fill. And, there is a slightly greater demand with an estimated 8% increase in the next ten years. If you are interested to teach at the high school level, it comes with an average annual salary of $47,265.
Other Roles
Keep in mind that there are also several other opportunities for teachers outside these core areas. There are roughly 139,600 positions at the collegiate level, 38,600 positions available in special education, and a high demand for teaching assistants with 139,400 projected job openings.
States with the Best Outlook for Teaching Jobs
Anyone pursuing a career in education will find many opportunities no matter where they live. However, the location, level, and personal experience will factor into the salary offer. You may increase your job prospects and initial offer if you are willing to relocate or have special skills and certifications.
Here are the top 5 states with the best outlook for teaching jobs by level based on the current number of available job postings.
- Kindergarten
- Texas: 14,730
- California: 9,980
- Florida: 8,010
- New York: 6,710
- New Jersey: 5,570
- Elementary School
- California: 145,510
- Texas: 136,780
- New York: 91,950
- Florida: 63,520
- Illinois: 55,330
- Middle School
- Texas: 65,830
- California: 37,600
- New York: 34,810
- Florida: 30,110
- Pennsylvania: 26,680
- High School
- Texas: 102,360
- California: 91,340
- New York: 74,510
- Ohio: 52,240
- Pennsylvania: 50,460
Although teaching isn’t for everyone, it is a crucial function of society that can provide a very fulfilling career. If you are interested in a career in education, check with your state’s Board of Education to see what you need to do to get started.
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