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Information about Education Programs

Workers in the educational services industry take part in all aspects of education, from teaching and counseling students to driving school buses and serving cafeteria lunches. Although 2 out of 3 workers in educational services are employed in professional occupations, the industry also employs many administrative support, managerial, service, and other workers.

Teachers account for almost half of all workers in the industry. Their duties depend on the age group and subject they teach, as well as on the type of institution in which they work. Teachers should have a sincere interest in helping students and should also have the ability to inspire confidence, respect and trust. Strong speaking and writing skills, inquiring and analytical minds, and a desire to pursue and disseminate knowledge are vital prerequisites for teachers. The educational services industry employs many other workers who are found in a wide range of occupations.

Education Job Types

Preschool teachers
Kindergarten teachers
Elementary school teachers
Middle and secondary school teachers
Special education teachers
Postsecondary teachers or faculty
Adult literacy teachers
Education administrators
Instructional coordinators
School counselors
Librarians
Teacher assistants

Degrees Needed in Education Industry

The educational services industry employs some of the most highly educated workers in the labor force. Almost 2 in 3 employees have at least a bachelor’s degree, which is required for nearly all professional occupations. Many professional occupations also require a master’s degree or doctorate, particularly for jobs at postsecondary institutions or in administration.

Kindergarten, elementary, middle, and secondary school teachers in public schools must have a bachelor’s degree and complete an approved teacher training program, with a prescribed number of subject and education credits, as well as supervised practice teaching. All States require public school teachers to be licensed; however, licensure requirements vary by State. Many States offer alternative licensure programs for people who have bachelor’s degrees in the subject they will teach, but lack the education or teacher courses required for a regular license. Certain teacher occupations require additional specific training: special education teachers need either a master’s degree in special education or some other form of specialized training in the subject, while vocational education teachers often need work experience in their field.

Teachers in private elementary, middle, and secondary schools do not have to meet State licensing standards; however, schools prefer candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in the subject they intend to teach for secondary school teachers, or in childhood education for elementary school teachers. They seek candidates among recent college graduates as well as from those who have established careers in other fields. Private schools affiliated with religious institutions also desire candidates who share the values that are important to the institution.

With additional education or certification, teachers may become school librarians, reading specialists, curriculum specialists, or guidance counselors. Some teachers advance to administrative or supervisory positions—such as instructional coordinator, assistant principal, or principal—but the number of these jobs is limited. In some school systems, highly qualified, experienced elementary and secondary school teachers can become senior or mentor teachers, with higher pay and additional responsibilities.

Postsecondary teachers who teach at 4-year colleges and universities generally must have a doctoral or other terminal degree for full-time, tenure-track employment, and usually also for part-time teaching at these institutions as well, though a master’s degree is sometimes sufficient. At 2-year colleges, however, most positions are held by teachers with a master’s degree. Most faculty members are hired as instructors or assistant professors and may advance to associate professor and full professor. Some faculty may also advance to administrative and managerial positions, such as department chairperson, dean, or president. At some institutions, these positions are temporary, with the holder returning to the faculty of their department after a set term.

Employment Outlook for Education Jobs

The educational services industry was the second largest industry in the economy in 2006, providing jobs for about 13.3 million workers. Wage and salary employment growth of 11 percent is expected in the educational services industry over the 2006-2016 period. Over the long-term, the overall demand for workers in educational services will increase as a result of a growing emphasis on improving education and making it available, not only to more children and young adults, but also to those currently employed and in need of improving their skills. Much of the demand for educational services is driven by growth in the population of students at each level.

• The special education teacher occupation is projected to experience faster than average growth
• Employment of teacher assistants will grow about as fast as the average
• Postsecondary teacher positions are expected to experience much faster than average growth

Earnings and Salary Information for Education

Median Annual Salary per Occupation, May 2006

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Career Guide to Industries, 2008-09 Edition, Educational Services, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs034.htm

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