Anna Nahabed // Shutterstock

How elementary school teacher employment is projected to change in every state

Elementary school teachers can expect stability in their profession for the foreseeable future, as employment in elementary school education is expected to grow by 7% by 2030.

A career as an elementary school teacher can be impactful and rewarding, as teachers help shape the development of young children in their early educational stages. Oftentimes, elementary school—especially pre-K and kindergarten—is where a child first learns to follow specific routines, socialize outside of their family environment, and comprehend rules and consequences from someone other than a family member. Elementary education also marks a child’s introduction to various subjects they will continue to learn over the years.

Some typical job duties of elementary school teachers include creating lesson plans for specific subjects such as English or math, assigning and grading homework, observing students’ performances, and communicating with parents about their child’s progress. There will always be a need for educators in society, and though there’s currently a nationwide demand for all sorts of teachers—in the subject areas of mathematics, science, special education, and teaching English as a second language, especially—there’s been a noticeable shortage of elementary school teachers in recent years.

It’s been a challenging few years for school employees, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has given way to a whole host of obstacles in retaining teachers—temporary school closures, staffing absences, low wages, and increased demands of educators, among them. In order to reduce staffing shortages, school districts are working on a variety of strategies, such as increasing compensation through federal recovery funds, creating teaching residencies, investing in more recruitment staff, adding more staff members to support students and parents, and overall focusing on employee retention.

The job outlook for educators in elementary and secondary schools is expected to change for the better. Study.com examined the total employment and growth rate for elementary school teachers projected in 2028 across every state, utilizing data from Projections Central, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

States are ranked by expected percent increase in elementary school teacher jobs between 2018 and 2028. Estimates for average annual job openings are based on projections, taking into account annual growth and net replacement. To contextualize the current employment base across the country, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is included for each state.

Keep reading to see how elementary school teacher employment is projected to change across the nation.

BAZA Production // Shutterstock

#50. Maine

– Projected employment in 2028: 4,830 (-6.2% decrease from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 5,760
– Average annual wage in 2020: $53,640
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 340

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#49. Vermont

– Projected employment in 2028: 3,910 (-1.8% decrease from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 3,870
– Average annual wage in 2020: $62,750
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 280

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#48. Connecticut

– Projected employment in 2028: 16,220 (-1.6% decrease from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 15,000
– Average annual wage in 2020: $79,610
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,180

LightField Studios // Shutterstock

#47. Ohio

– Projected employment in 2028: 49,460 (-.9% decrease from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 52,910
– Average annual wage in 2020: $64,700
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 3,620

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#46. Alaska

– Projected employment in 2028: 2,260 (-.9% decrease from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 3,380
– Average annual wage in 2020: $74,720
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 170

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#45. Illinois

– Projected employment in 2028: 61,210 (-.7% decrease from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 57,880
– Average annual wage in 2020: $66,140
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 4,480

ChiccoDodiFC // Shutterstock

#44. New Hampshire

– Projected employment in 2028: 5,610 (+.5% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 6,480
– Average annual wage in 2020: $60,730
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 420

Rido // Shutterstock

#43. Rhode Island

– Projected employment in 2028: 3,360 (+.9% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 4,020
– Average annual wage in 2020: $71,640
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 250

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#42. Delaware

– Projected employment in 2028: 4,400 (+.9% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 3,810
– Average annual wage in 2020: $66,140
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 330

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#41. Massachusetts

– Projected employment in 2028: 32,110 (+1.1% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 29,900
– Average annual wage in 2020: $84,810
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 2,390

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#40. Missouri

– Projected employment in 2028: 24,990 (+1.8% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 20,580
– Average annual wage in 2020: $52,050
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,870

Beloborod // Shutterstock

#39. Hawaii

– Projected employment in 2028: 6,520 (+2.2% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 4,810
– Average annual wage in 2020: $65,060
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 490

Halfpoint // Shutterstock

#38. Virginia

– Projected employment in 2028: 36,440 (+2.8% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 37,160
– Average annual wage in 2020: $72,620
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 2,750

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#37. Oklahoma

– Projected employment in 2028: 17,830 (+2.8% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 16,670
– Average annual wage in 2020: $48,570
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,350

DGLimages // Shutterstock

#36. Montana

– Projected employment in 2028: 4,550 (+2.9% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 4,610
– Average annual wage in 2020: $50,270
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 340

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#35. Alabama

– Projected employment in 2028: 24,900 (+2.9% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 20,750
– Average annual wage in 2020: $51,280
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,880

Aleksey Dushutin // Shutterstock

#34. New Jersey

– Projected employment in 2028: 45,760 (+3.2% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 37,870
– Average annual wage in 2020: $73,330
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 3,460

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#33. South Carolina

– Projected employment in 2028: 22,530 (+3.3% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 20,740
– Average annual wage in 2020: $52,960
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,710

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#32. North Carolina

– Projected employment in 2028: 39,420 (+3.3% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 43,200
– Average annual wage in 2020: $50,130
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 2,990

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#31. West Virginia

– Projected employment in 2028: 5,740 (+3.4% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 6,080
– Average annual wage in 2020: $47,780
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 440

Davco Media // Shutterstock

#30. Michigan

– Projected employment in 2028: 38,300 (+3.5% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 36,190
– Average annual wage in 2020: $68,850
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 2,910

Yaroslav Astakhov // Shutterstock

#29. Louisiana

– Projected employment in 2028: 24,220 (+3.6% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 21,580
– Average annual wage in 2020: $49,620
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 80

k_samurkas // Shutterstock

#28. Indiana

– Projected employment in 2028: 26,560 (+3.6% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 25,360
– Average annual wage in 2020: $53,650
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 2,020

Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#27. New Mexico

– Projected employment in 2028: 7,180 (+3.8% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 7,860
– Average annual wage in 2020: $60,740
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 550

k_samurkas // Shutterstock

#26. Kansas

– Projected employment in 2028: 16,500 (+4.0% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 15,250
– Average annual wage in 2020: $54,460
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,260

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#25. Minnesota

– Projected employment in 2028: 24,500 (+4.6% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 23,200
– Average annual wage in 2020: $62,560
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,870

BalanceFormCreative// Shutterstock

#24. California

– Projected employment in 2028: 196,500 (+4.9% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 156,920
– Average annual wage in 2020: $85,110
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 15,070

Halfpoint // Shutterstock

#23. Tennessee

– Projected employment in 2028: 29,830 (+5.2% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 27,870
– Average annual wage in 2020: $53,430
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 2,290

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#22. Kentucky

– Projected employment in 2028: 18,720 (+5.2% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 18,170
– Average annual wage in 2020: $52,950
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,440

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#21. Nebraska

– Projected employment in 2028: 11,900 (+5.6% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 9,020
– Average annual wage in 2020: $61,890
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 920

ChiccoDodiFC // Shutterstock

#20. Wisconsin

– Projected employment in 2028: 34,590 (+5.7% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 26,790
– Average annual wage in 2020: $58,340
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 2,670

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#19. Arkansas

– Projected employment in 2028: 12,660 (+6.0% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 12,750
– Average annual wage in 2020: $49,380
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 980

Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock

#18. Wyoming

– Projected employment in 2028: 2,610 (+6.1% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 2,440
– Average annual wage in 2020: $59,300
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 200

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#17. South Dakota

– Projected employment in 2028: 4,520 (+6.1% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 3,880
– Average annual wage in 2020: $44,790
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 350

Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#16. Pennsylvania

– Projected employment in 2028: 56,820 (+7.1% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 53,460
– Average annual wage in 2020: $69,410
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 4,430

Lopolo // Shutterstock

#15. Iowa

– Projected employment in 2028: 23,530 (+7.1% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 16,290
– Average annual wage in 2020: $55,040
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,830

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#14. Florida

– Projected employment in 2028: 79,570 (+7.2% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 73,840
– Average annual wage in 2020: $57,520
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 6,200

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#13. North Dakota

– Projected employment in 2028: 4,410 (+7.3% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 4,190
– Average annual wage in 2020: $55,850
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 350

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#12. Mississippi

– Projected employment in 2028: 14,880 (+7.4% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 12,150
– Average annual wage in 2020: $43,280
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 100

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#11. New York

– Projected employment in 2028: 90,350 (+8.0% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 92,700
– Average annual wage in 2020: $84,380
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 7,090

wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#10. Oregon

– Projected employment in 2028: 14,480 (+8.3% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 15,030
– Average annual wage in 2020: $71,420
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,140

Anna Nahabed // Shutterstock

#9. Texas

– Projected employment in 2028: 149,970 (+10.8% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 131,370
– Average annual wage in 2020: $56,760
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 11,980

Studio Romantic // Shutterstock

#8. Arizona

– Projected employment in 2028: 8,690 (+11.0% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 23,370
– Average annual wage in 2020: $47,910
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 700

insta_photos // Shutterstock

#7. Idaho

– Projected employment in 2028: 8,680 (+11.3% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 8,050
– Average annual wage in 2020: $50,850
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 90

smolaw // Shutterstock

#6. Nevada

– Projected employment in 2028: 11,840 (+13.8% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 9,870
– Average annual wage in 2020: $56,780
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 960

Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#5. Maryland

– Projected employment in 2028: 34,400 (+14.4% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 27,050
– Average annual wage in 2020: $77,470
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 2,810

dotshock // Shutterstock

#4. Colorado

– Projected employment in 2028: 28,870 (+15.5% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 25,130
– Average annual wage in 2020: $56,150
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 2,370

Inside Creative House // Shutterstock

#3. Georgia

– Projected employment in 2028: 61,500 (+15.8% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 43,610
– Average annual wage in 2020: $61,290
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 5,070

Vereshchagin Dmitry // Shutterstock

#2. Utah

– Projected employment in 2028: 16,400 (+16.0% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 12,800
– Average annual wage in 2020: $59,680
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 1,350

ESB Professional // Shutterstock

#1. Washington

– Projected employment in 2028: 39,940 (+17.4% increase from 2018)
– Total employment in 2020: 29,080
– Average annual wage in 2020: $74,400
– Average annual job openings 2018-2028: 3,910

This story originally appeared on Study.com
and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.