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Teaching in Texas: Employment Projections

The Texas Education Agency estimates that in the next decade Texas will continue to experience high demand for certified schoolteachers to fill positions across the state. Demand is particularly salient in disciplines that currently experience an inadequate supply of schoolteachers.

According to TEA, for the 2020-21 school year the official teacher shortage content areas and disciplines in Texas include:

  • Bilingual/English as a Second Language (elementary and secondary)
  • Special Education (elementary and secondary)
  • Career and Technical Education (secondary)
  • Technology Applications and Computer Science (elementary and secondary)
  • Mathematics (secondary)

The approved shortage areas help administrators support the recruitment and retention of qualified teachers.

The Texas Workforce Commission projects that between 2018 and 2028 demand for teachers in Texas across grade levels will increase by 11% compared to a predicted 4% increase in teacher demand at the national level (Texas Career Check interactive Tool, The Labor Market and Career Information Department, TWC; Feb. 15, 2021).

Texas Teacher Employment Projections 2018-28

Elementary School*

Middle School**

High
School***

Number employed in 2018

135,400

65,3010

 109,180

 Number employed by 2028

 149,970

72,430

121,140

Annual employment and turnover openings

11,980

5,790

 9,260

*Texas Employment Trends: 25-2021.00 - Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

**Texas Employment Trends: 25-2022.00 - Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

***Texas Employment Trends: 25-2031.00 - Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and   Career/Technical Education