Published analysis

Teacher Preparation and Employment Trends

Four teacher-preparation fields declined 8.9% to 27.2%, while the connected teaching occupations retained substantial annual openings.

EduInsightsPublished September 1, 2026 · Public data team
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How did degree output change across four teacher-preparation groups?

Between awards conferred in 2013–14 and 2022–23, subject-specific teacher preparation fell 27.2%, special education 23.6%, secondary education 20.0%, and elementary education 8.9%. All 40 observations are reported in revised IPEDS releases.

How large are the connected teaching occupations, and what is pay?

Elementary teaching had 1,388,390 estimated jobs and a $63,970 median wage in May 2025. Secondary teaching had 1,065,210 jobs and a $72,040 median. The selected occupations list a bachelor’s degree as typical entry education, but that does not establish state licensing requirements.

Why can projected employment decline coexist with many annual openings?

The selected occupations have projected employment declines of 1.6% to 2.0%, yet elementary teaching has 91,000 annual openings, secondary teaching 66,200, and three school-level special-education occupations 32,800 combined. Openings include replacement needs, not only newly created jobs.

Do falling degree counts and continuing openings prove teacher shortages?

No. Degrees do not show licensure, entry into teaching, interstate movement, retention, vacancies, or local subject needs. The two measures overlap conceptually but cover different populations and periods. Observed Claude use also does not predict displacement, productivity, or future employment.

What does the combined education and employment evidence say about teacher preparation?

Degree production declined while projected openings persisted

All four selected preparation groups ended below their 2014–15 degree counts.

Subject-specific teacher preparation had the largest decline. Degrees fell 27.2%, from 18,705 to 13,615.

Special education fell 23.6%, from 8,173 to 6,245 degrees.

Secondary education fell 20.0%, from 4,013 to 3,211 degrees.

Elementary education fell 8.9%, from 32,260 to 29,382 degrees.

These IPEDS cycles cover awards from July 2013–June 2014 through July 2022–June 2023.

Projected openings remain substantial

Elementary teaching had 1,388,390 estimated jobs and $63,970 median pay in May 2025. Its 2024–34 projection includes 91,000 annual openings.

Secondary teaching had 1,065,210 estimated jobs and $72,040 median pay in May 2025. Its projection includes 66,200 annual openings.

The three school-level special-education occupations collectively have 32,800 projected annual openings during 2024–34.

Every occupation examined lists a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry education.

Projected employment declines between 1.6% and 2.0% across these occupations. Openings persist because projections include replacement needs.

Declining degrees meet continuing replacement needs

The clearest overlap appears in three areas:

  • Elementary degrees declined 8.9%, alongside 91,000 projected annual openings.
  • Secondary and subject-specific degrees declined 20.0% and 27.2%, alongside 66,200 secondary openings.
  • Special-education degrees declined 23.6%, alongside 32,800 openings across three school levels.

These comparisons do not measure a supply-demand gap. Degree recipients may not obtain licenses, enter teaching, or remain employed.

Coverage and releases

IPEDS supplied revised releases for all ten collection cycles. Publication dates range from January 13, 2017, through December 30, 2025.

All 40 chart values were reported. None were suppressed or unavailable.

The series uses direct mappings through the NCES CIP 2010-to-2020 crosswalk.

The subject-specific group combines 34 teacher-education fields. It excludes several other preparation routes.

Employment and pay come from the May 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics release.

Openings and job requirements come from the BLS 2024–34 employment projections.

Observed Claude-use values use the June 26, 2026 release. No value was published for elementary special-education teachers.

Claude-use records do not predict automation, displacement, productivity, or future employment. None of these sources directly measures teacher shortages.

Bachelor’s degree production ended lower in all four selected teacher-preparation groups

Four line charts show ten annual observations for explicitly labeled teacher-preparation field groups. Elementary education declines from 32,260 to 29,382 degrees. Secondary education declines from 4,013 to 3,211. Special education declines from 8,173 to 6,245. Subject-specific teacher preparation declines from 18,705 to 13,615. All displayed values were reported; none were suppressed or unavailable.

Bachelor’s degree production ended lower in all four selected teacher-preparation groups — chart data
Teacher-preparation field groupIPEDS collection cycleBachelor’s degreesCompletions 2014 15Completions 2023 24Coverage StateCrosswalk Source ReleaseFull Period Change CompletionsFull Period Change PercentGroup Cip ScopeMapping AmbiguityMapping StatePublication DateReference Period EndReference Period LabelReference Period StartRelease StageSource Release Id
Elementary education2014-1532,2603226029382observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2017-01-132016-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender:July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 (revised August 2016)2013-01-01revisedipeds-c-2014-15-revised-2017-01-13
Secondary education2014-154,01340133211observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2017-01-132016-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender:July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 (revised August 2016)2013-01-01revisedipeds-c-2014-15-revised-2017-01-13
Special education2014-158,17381736245observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2017-01-132016-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender:July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 (revised August 2016)2013-01-01revisedipeds-c-2014-15-revised-2017-01-13
Subject-specific teacher preparation2014-1518,7051870513615observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2017-01-132016-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender:July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 (revised August 2016)2013-01-01revisedipeds-c-2014-15-revised-2017-01-13
Elementary education2015-1629,4613226029382observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2018-07-242017-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 (revised November 2017)2014-01-01revisedipeds-c-2015-16-revised-2018-07-24
Secondary education2015-163,59040133211observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2018-07-242017-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 (revised November 2017)2014-01-01revisedipeds-c-2015-16-revised-2018-07-24
Special education2015-167,54081736245observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2018-07-242017-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 (revised November 2017)2014-01-01revisedipeds-c-2015-16-revised-2018-07-24
Subject-specific teacher preparation2015-1617,0591870513615observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2018-07-242017-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 (revised November 2017)2014-01-01revisedipeds-c-2015-16-revised-2018-07-24
Elementary education2016-1728,4983226029382observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2018-12-032018-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 (revised August 2018)2015-01-01revisedipeds-c-2016-17-revised-2018-12-03
Secondary education2016-173,37040133211observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2018-12-032018-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 (revised August 2018)2015-01-01revisedipeds-c-2016-17-revised-2018-12-03
Special education2016-177,00181736245observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2018-12-032018-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 (revised August 2018)2015-01-01revisedipeds-c-2016-17-revised-2018-12-03
Subject-specific teacher preparation2016-1715,5291870513615observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2018-12-032018-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 (revised August 2018)2015-01-01revisedipeds-c-2016-17-revised-2018-12-03
Elementary education2017-1828,4253226029382observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2019-10-282019-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 (revised August 2019)2016-01-01revisedipeds-c-2017-18-revised-2019-10-28
Secondary education2017-183,11640133211observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2019-10-282019-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 (revised August 2019)2016-01-01revisedipeds-c-2017-18-revised-2019-10-28
Special education2017-186,80981736245observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2019-10-282019-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 (revised August 2019)2016-01-01revisedipeds-c-2017-18-revised-2019-10-28
Subject-specific teacher preparation2017-1814,2301870513615observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2019-10-282019-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017 (revised August 2019)2016-01-01revisedipeds-c-2017-18-revised-2019-10-28
Elementary education2018-1927,7903226029382observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2021-01-272020-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2017 to June 30 2018, (revised July 2020)2017-01-01revisedipeds-c-2018-19-revised-2021-01-27
Secondary education2018-193,07840133211observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2021-01-272020-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2017 to June 30 2018, (revised July 2020)2017-01-01revisedipeds-c-2018-19-revised-2021-01-27
Special education2018-196,71081736245observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2021-01-272020-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2017 to June 30 2018, (revised July 2020)2017-01-01revisedipeds-c-2018-19-revised-2021-01-27
Subject-specific teacher preparation2018-1913,7811870513615observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2021-01-272020-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2017 to June 30 2018, (revised July 2020)2017-01-01revisedipeds-c-2018-19-revised-2021-01-27
Elementary education2019-2028,9333226029382observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2021-10-282021-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 (revised July 2021)2018-01-01revisedipeds-c-2019-20-revised-2021-10-28
Secondary education2019-202,95540133211observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2021-10-282021-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 (revised July 2021)2018-01-01revisedipeds-c-2019-20-revised-2021-10-28
Special education2019-206,32281736245observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2021-10-282021-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 (revised July 2021)2018-01-01revisedipeds-c-2019-20-revised-2021-10-28
Subject-specific teacher preparation2019-2014,2931870513615observednces-cip-2010-to-2020-crosswalk-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2021-10-282021-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 (revised July 2021)2018-01-01revisedipeds-c-2019-20-revised-2021-10-28
Elementary education2020-2129,2133226029382observed—-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2022-11-092022-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 (revised August 2022)2019-01-01revisedipeds-c-2020-21-revised-2022-11-09
Secondary education2020-212,98140133211observed—-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2022-11-092022-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 (revised August 2022)2019-01-01revisedipeds-c-2020-21-revised-2022-11-09
Special education2020-216,37581736245observed—-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2022-11-092022-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 (revised August 2022)2019-01-01revisedipeds-c-2020-21-revised-2022-11-09
Subject-specific teacher preparation2020-2114,1261870513615observed—-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2022-11-092022-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 (revised August 2022)2019-01-01revisedipeds-c-2020-21-revised-2022-11-09
Elementary education2021-2230,2723226029382observed—-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2023-12-072023-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 (revised September 2023)2020-01-01revisedipeds-c-2021-22-revised-2023-12-07
Secondary education2021-223,05740133211observed—-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2023-12-072023-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 (revised September 2023)2020-01-01revisedipeds-c-2021-22-revised-2023-12-07
Special education2021-226,59481736245observed—-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2023-12-072023-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 (revised September 2023)2020-01-01revisedipeds-c-2021-22-revised-2023-12-07
Subject-specific teacher preparation2021-2214,4671870513615observed—-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2023-12-072023-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 (revised September 2023)2020-01-01revisedipeds-c-2021-22-revised-2023-12-07
Elementary education2022-2330,1623226029382observed—-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2024-11-222024-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 (revised August 2024)2021-01-01revisedipeds-c-2022-23-revised-2024-11-22
Secondary education2022-233,16840133211observed—-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2024-11-222024-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 (revised August 2024)2021-01-01revisedipeds-c-2022-23-revised-2024-11-22
Special education2022-236,52281736245observed—-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2024-11-222024-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 (revised August 2024)2021-01-01revisedipeds-c-2022-23-revised-2024-11-22
Subject-specific teacher preparation2022-2314,1561870513615observed—-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2024-11-222024-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 (revised August 2024)2021-01-01revisedipeds-c-2022-23-revised-2024-11-22
Elementary education2023-2429,3823226029382observed—-2878-8.913.1202 — Elementary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2025-12-302025-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (revised September 2025)2022-01-01revisedipeds-c-2023-24-revised-2025-12-30
Secondary education2023-243,21140133211observed—-802-2013.1205 — Secondary Education and Teaching.one_to_onedirect2025-12-302025-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (revised September 2025)2022-01-01revisedipeds-c-2023-24-revised-2025-12-30
Special education2023-246,24581736245observed—-1928-23.613.1001 and 13.1099 — Special Education and Teaching, General and Other.one_to_onedirect2025-12-302025-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (revised September 2025)2022-01-01revisedipeds-c-2023-24-revised-2025-12-30
Subject-specific teacher preparation2023-2413,6151870513615observed—-5090-27.234 CIP-6 fields in CIP 13.13 — Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas.one_to_onedirect2025-12-302025-12-31Awards/degrees conferred by program (6-digit CIP code), award level, race/ethnicity, and gender: July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (revised September 2025)2022-01-01revisedipeds-c-2023-24-revised-2025-12-30
Four line charts show ten annual observations for explicitly labeled teacher-preparation field groups. Elementary education declines from 32,260 to 29,382 degrees. Secondary education declines from 4,013 to 3,211. Special education declines from 8,173 to 6,245. Subject-specific teacher preparation declines from 18,705 to 13,615. All displayed values were reported; none were suppressed or unavailable.

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