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As school swings back into session, it’s important to recognize the dedicated faculty and staff who work in our elementary, middle, and secondary schools. With employment of more than 5.5 million in May 2017, teachers and instructors make up 65 percent of employment in elementary, middle, and secondary schools nationwide. There are over 2 million elementary and middle school teachers, representing 24 percent of total school employment. There are nearly 1.1 million secondary school teachers.
Occupation | Employment |
---|---|
Elementary and middle school teachers |
2,034,720 |
Secondary school teachers |
1,094,750 |
Teacher assistants |
1,051,410 |
Substitute teachers |
527,780 |
Special education teachers |
444,870 |
Preschool and kindergarten teachers |
206,710 |
Teachers and instructors, all other, except substitute teachers |
92,460 |
Instructional coordinators |
72,800 |
Adult basic and secondary education and literacy teachers and instructors |
24,860 |
Self-enrichment education teachers |
12,980 |
Teachers and instructors make up most employment in our schools, but many other occupations also make schools run smoothly. There are over 300,000 janitors and cleaners working in elementary and secondary schools in the United States, making up close to 4 percent of school employment. There are nearly 250,000 education administrators in elementary and secondary schools. Combined, the top ten occupations other than teachers make up over 21 percent of total school employment nationwide.
Occupation | Employment |
---|---|
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners |
324,500 |
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school |
244,690 |
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive |
240,460 |
Bus drivers, school or special client |
211,210 |
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food |
154,770 |
Educational, guidance, school, and vocational counselors |
133,780 |
Cooks, institution and cafeteria |
125,210 |
Childcare workers |
123,610 |
Office clerks, general |
118,570 |
Maintenance and repair workers, general |
58,930 |
These data are from the Occupational Employment Statistics program. To learn more about elementary and secondary school employment, see the Elementary and Secondary School industry estimates.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, The Economics Daily, A look at elementary and secondary school employment at https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2018/a-look-at-elementary-and-secondary-school-employment.htm (visited December 10, 2024).