There are currently an estimated 478,500 preschool teachers in the United States. The preschool teacher job market is expected to grow by 10.5% between 2016 and 2026.
How employable are preschool teachers?
CareerExplorer rates preschool teachers with a B- employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 55,400 preschool teachers. That number is based on 50,100 additional preschool teachers, and the retirement of 5,300 existing preschool teachers.
What’s the supply of preschool teachers?
The preschool teacher industry is concentrated in California, Texas, New York
Preschool Teacher job market by state
| State Name | Employed Preschool Teachers |
|---|---|
| California | 51,990 |
| Texas | 34,950 |
| New York | 34,110 |
| Florida | 21,380 |
| Illinois | 20,620 |
| Massachusetts | 16,390 |
| North Carolina | 15,990 |
| Georgia | 15,300 |
| New Jersey | 14,960 |
| Pennsylvania | 14,110 |
| Ohio | 13,670 |
| Maryland | 10,000 |
| Virginia | 9,730 |
| Wisconsin | 9,700 |
| Michigan | 9,340 |
| Washington | 8,830 |
| Colorado | 8,750 |
| Minnesota | 7,610 |
| Oregon | 7,120 |
| Tennessee | 6,860 |
| Arizona | 6,160 |
| Indiana | 5,570 |
| Oklahoma | 5,530 |
| Connecticut | 5,490 |
| Missouri | 5,050 |
| South Carolina | 5,040 |
| Iowa | 4,330 |
| Arkansas | 3,240 |
| Kentucky | 3,170 |
| New Hampshire | 3,120 |
| Puerto Rico | 2,990 |
| Mississippi | 2,500 |
| New Mexico | 2,460 |
| Louisiana | 2,420 |
| Delaware | 2,280 |
| Kansas | 2,260 |
| Alabama | 1,790 |
| West Virginia | 1,770 |
| Hawaii | 1,620 |
| Utah | 1,380 |
| Nevada | 1,330 |
| District of Columbia | 1,320 |
| South Dakota | 1,310 |
| Maine | 1,270 |
| Rhode Island | 1,260 |
| Montana | 1,100 |
| Nebraska | 1,090 |
| Vermont | 1,040 |
| Idaho | 1,030 |
| Wyoming | 900 |
| North Dakota | 850 |
| Alaska | 660 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | 180 |
| Guam | 80 |