Teacher Shortages by State in 2026: Full 50-State Data
By Devlin Peck · Updated
Part of the Teacher Career Change guide
Yes, there is a teacher shortage in 2026. The Learning Policy Institute's latest national scan found at least 425,412 teaching positions that were either unfilled or filled by teachers not fully certified for the assignment, which is about 1 in 8 teaching positions nationally. But the shortage is wildly uneven: some states are missing a third of their fully certified workforce while others have almost no gap at all. This page breaks down the numbers for all 50 states plus DC, and the same working conditions behind these numbers are pushing many educators to explore jobs for former teachers outside the classroom.
The top 10 teacher shortage statistics of 2026
- At least 425,412 U.S. teaching positions were unfilled or filled by teachers not fully certified for the assignment (Learning Policy Institute, 2026)
- That is about 1 in 8 of all teaching positions nationally (Learning Policy Institute, 2026)
- 387,843 teachers were not fully certified for their assignments across all 50 states plus DC (Learning Policy Institute, 2026)
- 37,569 unfilled teaching positions were reported by the 29 states plus DC that publish vacancy data (Learning Policy Institute, 2026)
- 2026 marked the third consecutive year of increases in the combined shortage estimate (Learning Policy Institute, 2026)
- 74% of public schools had difficulty filling at least one teaching vacancy for 2024-25, down from 79% the year before (NCES School Pulse Panel)
- Public schools averaged 6 teaching vacancies each and filled 79% of them before classes started (NCES School Pulse Panel)
- 45 states reported federal shortage areas in special education, 41 in science, and 40 in math (U.S. Department of Education)
- About 66,200 openings for high school teachers are projected every year through 2034, even as total employment declines 2% (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- The world needs 44 million more primary and secondary teachers by 2030 (UNESCO)
425,412
Positions unfilled or not fully staffed (2026 scan)
1 in 8
Of all U.S. teaching positions affected
74%
Of public schools struggled to fill a vacancy in 2024-25
| Statistic | Number | Source | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positions unfilled or filled by not-fully-certified teachers | 425,412 | Learning Policy Institute | 2026 |
| Share of all U.S. teaching positions affected | ~1 in 8 | Learning Policy Institute | 2026 |
| Public schools struggling to fill at least one teaching vacancy | 74% | NCES School Pulse Panel | 2024-25 |
| Average teaching vacancies per public school | 6 | NCES School Pulse Panel | 2024-25 |
| States reporting special education shortage areas | 45 | U.S. Department of Education | 2024-25 |
| Projected annual openings for high school teachers | 66,200 | Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| District cost per departing teacher | $12,000 to $25,000 | Learning Policy Institute | 2024 |
| Teachers needed worldwide by 2030 | 44 million | UNESCO | 2030 projection |
Is there a teacher shortage in 2026?
Yes. The most recent national scan found at least 425,412 teaching positions that were either unfilled or staffed by teachers not fully certified for their assignments, and it was the third consecutive annual increase. At the same time, the shortage is concentrated in specific subjects and places rather than spread evenly, which is why some qualified applicants still struggle to get hired. For the national picture beyond state lines, see our roundup of national teacher shortage statistics.
1. At least 425,412 teaching positions were unfilled or filled by teachers not fully certified
(Learning Policy Institute, State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The 2026 scan counted 387,843 teachers working without full certification for their assignments across all 50 states plus DC, and another 37,569 unfilled positions in the 29 states plus DC that publish vacancy data. Together that is about 1 in 8 teaching positions nationally.
2. 74% of public schools had trouble filling at least one teaching vacancy for 2024-25
(NCES School Pulse Panel)
That figure is down from 79% the year before, so hiring got slightly easier. The top two reported challenges were a lack of qualified candidates (64% of schools) and too few applicants (62%). Schools averaged six vacancies each and filled 79% of them before classes resumed.
3. 2026 marked the third consecutive year the shortage grew
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Among reporting states, the combined estimate rose by roughly 15,800 positions, a 4% increase over the 2025 scan. Seven states plus DC reported jumps of 20% or more in the number of teachers who are not fully certified.
4. High school teaching is projected to shrink 2% by 2034, yet still post 66,200 openings a year
(U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
This is the demand paradox in one stat: total employment of high school teachers is projected to decline from 2024 to 2034, but replacement needs still generate tens of thousands of openings every year as teachers retire or move to other occupations.
5. Researchers tallied more than 55,000 teacher vacancies back in 2023
(Education Week)
As a trend line, here's the historical figure: job-posting research reported by Education Week estimated over 55,000 vacancies nationwide in 2023. Three years later, the 2026 scan counted 37,569 reported vacancies from barely more than half the states, plus nearly 388,000 not-fully-certified teachers.
Which states have the worst teacher shortages?
Nevada has the worst teacher shortage in the country: about 44% of its teaching positions were either vacant or filled by someone not fully certified in the latest scan. Louisiana, Delaware, Alaska, and Oklahoma round out the top five. This table is a breakdown of one source, LPI's State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update, with the percentages calculated from LPI's reported figures. States define and report these numbers differently, so treat the ranking as directional rather than precise.
| Rank | State | Positions vacant or not fully staffed (share of teachers) | Unfilled positions | Teachers not fully certified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | 44.3% | 2,881 | 7,956 |
| 2 | Louisiana | 36.7% | 736 | 17,131 |
| 3 | Delaware | 34.5% | 189 | 3,131 |
| 4 | Alaska | 28.1% | 324 | 1,603 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | 25.9% | Not reported | 11,163 |
| 6 | Texas | 24.9% | Not reported | 92,268 |
| 7 | Virginia | 23.0% | 2,463 | 19,215 |
| 8 | Arizona | 20.1% | 4,242 | 8,181 |
| 9 | Montana | 19.5% | 1,039 | 1,051 |
| 10 | Alabama | 18.5% | 1,684 | 6,311 |
Which states have the lowest teacher shortages?
By the same measures, Maine (1.8%), Ohio (1.9%), New Jersey (2.6%), North Dakota (2.9%), Colorado (3.0%), and Missouri (3.0%) show the smallest combined gaps. One caveat: Maine, Ohio, and New Jersey publish no vacancy data, so their true totals are likely somewhat higher than these figures suggest.
How many teacher vacancies does each state have?
Reported vacancies range from 107 in Nebraska to 4,242 in Arizona, and 21 states publish no vacancy count at all. The table below shows the key numbers from LPI's State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update for every state plus DC. The state sections further down add detail from each state's own reporting.
| State | Unfilled positions | Teachers not fully certified | Data year(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,684 | 6,311 | 2024-25 |
| Alaska | 324 | 1,603 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| Arizona | 4,242 | 8,181 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| Arkansas | Not reported | 3,470 | 2024-25 |
| California | Not reported | 35,182 | 2023-24 |
| Colorado | 272 | 1,344 | 2025-26 |
| Connecticut | 795 | 1,178 | 2025-26 / 2023-24 |
| Delaware | 189 | 3,131 | 2024-25 |
| District of Columbia | 194 | 1,137 | 2025-26 |
| Florida | 2,260 | 25,292 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| Georgia | Not reported | 21,500 | 2024-25 |
| Hawaii | 294 | 910 | 2023-24 / 2024-25 |
| Idaho | Not reported | 1,177 | 2023-24 |
| Illinois | 2,943 | 4,653 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| Indiana | Not reported | 3,442 | 2023-24 |
| Iowa | 434 | 1,658 | 2024-25 |
| Kansas | 1,747 | 1,340 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| Kentucky | 671 | 1,435 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| Louisiana | 736 | 17,131 | 2024-25 |
| Maine | Not reported | 267 | 2024-25 |
| Maryland | 886 | 9,644 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| Massachusetts | Not reported | 5,877 | 2024-25 |
| Michigan | 2,421 | 6,863 | 2024-25 |
| Minnesota | 205 | 6,886 | 2024-25 |
| Mississippi | 3,815 | 2,095 | 2025-26 / 2023-24 |
| Missouri | 656 | 1,481 | 2025-26 |
| Montana | 1,039 | 1,051 | 2023-24 / 2024-25 |
| Nebraska | 107 | 1,448 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| Nevada | 2,881 | 7,956 | 2024-25 |
| New Hampshire | Not reported | 2,601 | 2024-25 |
| New Jersey | Not reported | 3,080 | 2024-25 |
| New Mexico | 604 | 681 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| New York | Not reported | 18,583 | 2024-25 |
| North Carolina | 2,155 | 4,542 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| North Dakota | 219 | 78 | 2024-25 |
| Ohio | Not reported | 1,858 | 2024-25 |
| Oklahoma | Not reported | 11,163 | 2024-25 |
| Oregon | Not reported | 2,498 | 2024-25 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,659 | 13,352 | 2025-26 / 2023-24 |
| Rhode Island | Not reported | 941 | 2024-25 |
| South Carolina | 706 | 7,138 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| South Dakota | 137 | 1,072 | 2024-25 |
| Tennessee | 831 | 4,095 | 2024-25 |
| Texas | Not reported | 92,268 | 2024-25 |
| Utah | Not reported | 5,031 | 2023-24 |
| Vermont | Not reported | 1,025 | 2024-25 |
| Virginia | 2,463 | 19,215 | 2025-26 / 2024-25 |
| Washington | Not reported | 8,823 | 2023-24 |
| West Virginia | Not reported | 1,439 | 2024-25 |
| Wisconsin | Not reported | 4,321 | 2024-25 |
| Wyoming | Not reported | 396 | 2024-25 |
| Total | 37,569 | 387,843 | 2023-24 to 2025-26 |
Skip the scanning and pull your state's numbers:
Pick your state to pull its numbers from this article's state table: vacancies, teachers who are not fully certified, the data year, and the subjects the U.S. Department of Education flags as shortage areas. Add a subject to see where it counts as a federal shortage area.
National benchmark: about 1 in 8 U.S. teaching positions is vacant or filled by a teacher who is not fully certified. LPI's 2026 scan counted 37,569 unfilled positions plus 387,843 not-fully-certified teachers, at least 425,412 combined.
Where is the federal teacher shortage area listing?
States report their teacher shortage areas to the U.S. Department of Education every year, and the full nationwide listing lives in the interactive application at tsa.ed.gov, with data going back to the 1990-91 school year. The Teacher Shortage Areas page at ed.gov explains how the designations work. These designations matter beyond statistics: teaching in a designated shortage area can qualify educators for federal student loan deferment, Perkins Loan cancellation, and TEACH Grant service obligations.
Teacher shortages in the Northeast (New England and Middle Atlantic)
The Northeast has some of the country's lowest shortage rates on paper, but New York and Pennsylvania post two of the region's biggest raw numbers, and several New England states rely heavily on out-of-field teachers. All figures below come from the Learning Policy Institute's State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update unless noted.
6. Connecticut had 795 unfilled teaching positions in August 2025
(Learning Policy Institute, State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The Connecticut State Department of Education reported 795 unfilled positions heading into the 2025-26 school year. The state also counted 1,178 teachers working on emergency or provisional credentials or outside their certified field in 2023-24, out of roughly 43,000 teachers statewide.
7. Maine reported just 267 teachers not fully certified in 2024-25
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
That is the lowest combined shortage rate in the country at 1.8% of Maine's 15,162 teachers. The catch: Maine publishes no statewide vacancy data, so unfilled positions are not counted here.
8. An estimated 5,877 Massachusetts teachers were on waivers or provisional licenses
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Massachusetts reported that 92.4% of teachers were fully licensed in 2024-25, which leaves about 7.6% of its 77,221 teachers on a waiver or provisional license. The state does not publish statewide vacancy data.
9. Nearly 1 in 5 New Hampshire teachers were not fully certified for their assignments
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
New Hampshire reported that 86% of teachers were certified in their content area for 2024-25. That implies roughly 2,021 teachers working out of field plus another 580 on emergency-style credentials, about 18% of the state's 14,438 teachers.
10. New Jersey reported 3,080 teachers potentially teaching out of field
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Against 117,868 teachers statewide, that is one of the lowest rates in the nation at 2.6%. New Jersey publishes no statewide vacancy data, so the full picture may be somewhat larger.
11. New York had 18,583 teachers teaching subjects they were not certified in
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
New York's 2024-25 report card counted 18,583 teachers working in subjects or fields outside their certification, about 8.5% of the state's 218,424 teachers. The state does not publish statewide vacancy data.
12. Pennsylvania reported 1,659 unfilled teaching positions in October 2025
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The Pennsylvania Department of Education counted 1,659 vacancies for 2025-26. The state also reported 13,352 teachers working out of field in 2023-24, including 3,904 on emergency certifications.
13. Rhode Island had 941 teachers without the right certificate for their assignments
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Of those 941 teachers in 2024-25, 916 were using emergency or preliminary certificates. Rhode Island publishes no statewide vacancy data.
14. An estimated 13% of Vermont teachers were not fully licensed
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Vermont reported that 87% of teachers were properly licensed in 2024-25, which works out to roughly 1,025 of its 7,882 teachers working without full licensure.
Teacher shortages in the Midwest (North Central)
The Midwest is the healthiest region overall: North Dakota, Missouri, and Ohio post some of the lowest shortage rates in the country, though Illinois, Kansas, and Michigan still report thousands of vacancies between them. All figures come from LPI's 2026 state scan.
15. Illinois had 2,943 unfilled teaching positions as of October 2025
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The Illinois State Board of Education counted 2,943 unfilled full-time-equivalent positions for 2025-26. Another 4,653 teachers held short-term or provisional licenses in 2024-25, out of nearly 138,000 teachers statewide.
16. Indiana reported 3,442 teachers on emergency credentials or teaching out of field
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Indiana's report card counted 3,442 such teachers in 2023-24, about 5% of its 67,718 teachers. The state publishes no statewide vacancy data.
17. Iowa reported 434 unfilled teaching positions between fall 2024 and fall 2025
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The Iowa Department of Education also counted 1,658 teachers on provisional licenses in 2024-25, which the state treats as teaching out of field.
18. Kansas reported 1,747 teacher vacancies in fall 2025
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
That is a notably high vacancy count for a state with 36,411 teachers, at roughly 4.8% of positions. Another 1,340 Kansas teachers were teaching out of field, on temporary licenses, or without a license in 2024-25.
19. Michigan had an estimated 2,421 teaching positions vacant or temporarily staffed
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Research from Michigan State University found 2.8% of teaching positions vacant or assigned to non-permanent staff in fall 2024. The state also reported 6,863 teachers working outside their certified subject or field.
20. Minnesota had only 205 unfilled positions but 6,886 teachers not fully certified
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Minnesota's vacancy count was low as of November 2024, but nearly 6,900 teachers were not fully certified for their assignments, including about 3,300 on Tier 1 and Tier 2 temporary licenses.
21. Missouri reported 656 unfilled positions for 2025-26, one of the lowest rates in the country
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education counted 656 unfilled full-time-equivalent positions as of October 2025, plus 1,481 vacancies filled by inappropriately certified teachers. Combined, that is about 3% of Missouri's 70,411 teachers.
22. Nebraska reported just 107 vacant teaching positions in October 2025
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The count covers 355 of the state's 434 districts and service units, so it is a partial picture. Nebraska also reported 1,448 teachers not fully endorsed for their assignments in 2024-25.
23. North Dakota has some of the smallest shortage numbers in the country
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The state reported 219 unfilled positions in fall 2024 and only 78 teachers on emergency or provisional certificates, a combined 2.9% of its 10,411 teachers.
24. Ohio reported 1,858 teachers teaching out of field
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Against 100,363 teachers statewide, that is just 1.9%, among the lowest rates nationally. Ohio publishes no statewide vacancy data, so unfilled positions are not counted.
25. South Dakota started 2024-25 with 137 unfilled teaching positions
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The state also counted 1,072 full-time-equivalent teachers not fully certified, spread across out-of-field assignments, provisional certificates, and alternative certification routes.
26. Wisconsin had 4,321 teachers working out of field or on emergency permits
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
That is about 7.3% of Wisconsin's 59,308 full-time-equivalent teachers in 2024-25. The state publishes no statewide vacancy data.
Teacher shortages in the South (Southeast and South Central)
The South is home to the country's largest raw shortage numbers. Texas alone accounts for 92,268 not-fully-certified teachers, nearly a quarter of the national total, and Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Florida each report five-figure counts. All figures come from LPI's 2026 state scan.
27. Alabama had 1,684 unfilled positions in its highest-shortage subjects
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The Alabama Department of Education reported that 1,684 positions in the state's highest teacher shortage areas were not filled with certified teachers as of December 2024. The state also counted 6,311 teachers working out of field, 4,715 of them on emergency or provisional credentials.
28. Arkansas reported 3,470 teachers not fully certified
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
For 2024-25, that included 693 teachers on emergency permits, 1,031 on provisional licenses, and 1,746 teaching courses they were not licensed for. Arkansas publishes no statewide vacancy data.
29. About 1 in 3 Delaware teachers were not fully certified for their assignments
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Delaware counted 3,131 out-of-field teachers against just 9,627 teachers statewide in 2024-25, the third-highest combined rate in the country. Vacancies were modest at 189 as of October 2024.
30. Washington, DC had 194 unfilled positions and 1,137 uncertified teachers
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The DC figures cover 2025-26 but exclude public charter schools and out-of-field assignments, so the real total is likely higher.
31. Florida had 25,292 teachers on temporary certificates
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
That is about 16% of Florida's 155,946 teachers in 2024-25, and it excludes out-of-field teaching entirely. The state separately reported that 14.4% of classes were taught by teachers not appropriately qualified under state requirements, and the Florida Education Association counted 2,260 unfilled positions at the start of 2025-26.
32. Georgia reported 21,500 teachers not fully certified for their assignments
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
For 2024-25, that included 9,266 full-time-equivalent teachers on emergency or provisional credentials and 12,234 teaching outside their certified subject area. Georgia publishes no statewide vacancy data.
33. Kentucky had 671 vacant teaching positions as of September 2025
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Another 1,435 Kentucky teachers did not meet all certification requirements for their subject or grade level in 2024-25, including 819 on emergency or provisional certifications. Kentucky's combined rate is among the lower third nationally.
34. Louisiana has the highest share of not-fully-certified teachers in the country: 35%
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Louisiana reported 8,555 certified teachers working outside their certified subject and 8,576 uncertified teachers in 2024-25, for a total of 17,131 out of 48,637 teachers statewide, plus 736 unfilled positions.
35. Maryland reported 886 unfilled positions and an estimated 9,644 out-of-field teachers
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The vacancy count is from fall 2025. The out-of-field estimate comes from the state's report that 15.3% of teachers were teaching a subject outside their certification area in 2024-25.
36. Mississippi's 3,815 vacancies are the highest reported vacancy rate in the country
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Districts reported 3,815 unfilled positions for 2025-26, roughly 11.9% of Mississippi's 32,037 teaching positions. The state's not-fully-certified count (2,095) dates to 2023-24.
37. North Carolina started 2025-26 with 2,155 unfilled teaching positions
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The count comes from the North Carolina School Superintendents' Association. The state also reported 4,542 teachers on emergency licenses in 2024-25, a figure that excludes out-of-field assignments.
38. About 1 in 4 Oklahoma teachers were not fully certified for their assignments
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Oklahoma counted 9,254 out-of-field full-time-equivalent teachers, 783 on nonstandard certificates, and 1,126 emergency-certified teachers in 2024-25, a combined 11,163 out of 43,050 teachers. The state publishes no statewide vacancy data.
39. South Carolina reported 706 unfilled positions for 2025-26
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The count comes from the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement at Winthrop University. The state also reported 7,138 teachers teaching outside their certified field in 2024-25.
40. Tennessee had 831 teaching vacancies in fall 2024
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Tennessee counts a position as vacant if it goes unfilled by a licensed teacher for at least 20 days. The state also reported 4,095 teachers not fully certified, including 3,422 on temporary permits for unlicensed teachers.
41. Texas has 92,268 teachers not fully certified, the most in the nation
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
That is roughly 1 in 4 of the state's 371,144 teachers, including 61,272 general education teachers working outside their certified subject and 13,130 special education teachers without the right certification for their assignments. Texas publishes no statewide vacancy data.
42. Virginia reported 2,463 unfilled teaching positions as of October 2025
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Virginia also counted 19,215 teachers who were either not fully endorsed for their content (8,889) or teaching on a provisional license while completing preparation (10,326) in 2024-25, about 20% of the state's teachers.
43. West Virginia had 1,439 teachers on provisional credentials
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The 2024-25 figure excludes out-of-field teaching, so it likely understates the total. West Virginia publishes no statewide vacancy data.
Teacher shortages in the West (Mountain and Pacific)
The West contains both extremes: Nevada has the worst combined shortage rate in the country at 44%, while Colorado runs one of the tightest ships anywhere. California's 35,182 not-fully-certified teachers are the second-largest count in the nation. All figures come from LPI's 2026 state scan.
44. Alaska started 2025-26 with 324 unfilled teaching positions
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
That is 4.7% of Alaska's small 6,858-teacher workforce, and another 1,603 teachers were teaching out of field in 2024-25. Combined, about 28% of Alaska's positions were vacant or not fully staffed, the fourth-worst rate in the country.
45. Arizona had 4,242 vacant teaching positions in September 2025
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
That is the highest reported vacancy count in the nation and roughly 6.9% of Arizona's 61,859 teaching positions. Another 8,181 teachers were on emergency or temporary credentials or teaching out of field in 2024-25.
46. California had 35,182 teachers not fully certified, the second most in the nation
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The 2023-24 count includes 6,214 full-time-equivalent interns still completing preparation, 12,113 on limited assignment permits or waivers, and 16,855 on provisional, short-term, or substitute credentials. California publishes no statewide vacancy data.
47. Colorado left just 272 teaching positions unfilled for 2025-26
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Colorado's combined rate of about 3% is among the best in the country. The state filled another 1,344 positions through shortage mechanisms: 430 long-term substitutes, 750 alternative licensure candidates, and 164 emergency licensure candidates.
48. Hawaii was actively recruiting for 294 teaching positions
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The recruiting figure is from September of the 2023-24 school year. Hawaii's data book indicates about 910 of its roughly 11,700 teachers were not fully licensed in 2024-25.
49. Idaho approved more than 1,000 alternative authorizations in 2023-24
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Idaho issued 1,005 alternative authorizations plus 172 emergency provisional certificates, for an estimated 1,177 teachers not fully certified. The state publishes no statewide vacancy data.
50. Montana needed to fill about 1,039 positions heading into 2023-24
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
LPI notes this count is likely an overestimate because it may include non-teaching roles. Montana also reported 367 teachers working out of field and 684 on provisional licenses, and its combined rate of nearly 20% ranks among the ten worst nationally.
51. Nevada has the worst teacher shortage in the country
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Nevada reported 2,881 vacancies for 2024-25 plus 7,956 teachers not fully certified, including 4,957 long-term substitutes approved to staff classrooms. Combined, that is 44% of the state's 24,465 teaching positions, by far the highest rate in the nation.
52. New Mexico had 604 open teaching positions in September 2025
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The count, compiled by New Mexico State University from district job postings, may overestimate true vacancies. Only 681 teachers were not fully certified, giving New Mexico one of the lower combined rates in the country at about 5%.
53. Oregon reported 2,498 teachers teaching out of field
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
That 2024-25 figure includes 764 full-time-equivalent teachers on emergency or provisional licenses. Oregon publishes no statewide vacancy data.
54. About 15% of Utah teachers taught outside their licensed area
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Utah's 2023-24 report card indicated 15% of teachers were teaching a grade or subject they were not licensed for, an estimated 5,031 teachers. The state publishes no statewide vacancy data.
55. Washington had 8,823 teachers not fully certified for their assignments
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
The 2023-24 count includes 3,814 teachers on limited status and 5,009 teaching at least one course outside their endorsement. Washington is also the state where researchers found the clearest evidence of stabilization: a 2025 study of its job-posting data found teacher supply has largely bounced back to meet demand, except in science and special education (more on this below).
56. Wyoming reported just 396 teachers not fully certified
(LPI State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update)
Nearly all of them (395 full-time equivalents) were on emergency or provisional credentials in 2024-25. Wyoming publishes no statewide vacancy data.
Which subjects have the biggest teacher shortages?
Special education is the most in-demand teaching specialty in the country, with 45 states reporting it as a federal shortage area, followed by science (41 states) and math (40 states). If you hold one of these certifications, you are in demand almost everywhere. If you hold a general elementary certification in a well-staffed metro area, you may face a surplus instead.
57. 45 states reported special education shortage areas for 2024-25
(U.S. Department of Education, via Learning Policy Institute)
Every state plus DC reported shortages in more than one teaching area. Measured by the number of affected positions, shortages run deepest in special education, elementary education, language arts, and career and technical education.
58. 48 states reported shortages in special education, science, or math
(U.S. Department of Education, via Learning Policy Institute)
Science shortages were reported by 41 states and math by 40. These three areas have appeared on federal shortage lists since at least 1990, when the Department of Education began collecting the data.
59. 74% of elementary and middle schools struggled to fill a special education vacancy with a fully certified teacher
(NCES School Pulse Panel)
Among high schools, English as a second language and bilingual education was the toughest area, with 69% reporting difficulty filling those vacancies with fully certified teachers.
60. Teacher staffing has stabilized in most subjects, with two big exceptions
(CALDER study, reported by Education Week, March 2025)
Researchers at the Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research found that teacher supply has largely bounced back to meet demand overall, but pipeline problems and working conditions continue to drive shortages in science and special education.
Why is there a teacher shortage?
Two engines drive the shortage: a shrinking pipeline of new teachers and high attrition among current ones. Attrition is the bigger factor by far, which is why understanding why teachers quit the profession matters more than counting graduates.
61. Attrition accounts for about 90% of annual new-teacher demand
(Learning Policy Institute, An Overview of Teacher Shortages: 2026)
Most open teaching positions are not new positions. They are seats emptied by teachers who left, which makes retention the single biggest lever for ending the shortage.
62. 74% of teachers who moved schools or left teaching did so voluntarily, for reasons other than retirement
(LPI, An Overview of Teacher Shortages: 2026)
Cited reasons included pursuing other careers, seeking higher salaries, and dissatisfaction with teaching itself. The teacher burnout statistics behind those decisions tell a consistent story about workload and working conditions.
63. College students' interest in teaching is at its lowest point in about 50 years
(LPI, An Overview of Teacher Shortages: 2026)
Interest in teaching has declined since the turn of the century, and enrollment in teacher preparation programs dropped by about 100,000 candidates between 2012-13 and 2014-15 before leveling off.
64. Teacher turnover costs districts $12,000 to $25,000 per departing teacher
(LPI, An Overview of Teacher Shortages: 2026)
The costs cover separation, recruiting, hiring, and onboarding, and they scale with district size. Multiply by hundreds of thousands of leavers a year and the shortage becomes a budget problem, not just a staffing one.
What does the teacher shortage mean for teachers?
It means leverage if you hold the right certification in the right place, and real competition if you do not. It also means the profession's biggest problem is keeping teachers, not finding them, and that has implications whether you stay or go.
First, the paradox that confuses everyone: how can there be a national shortage while some new teachers struggle to get hired? Because shortages concentrate. They concentrate in subjects (special education, science, math), in geographies (rural districts and high-poverty schools, where LPI found turnover rates 35% to 37% higher than in wealthier schools), and in certification status (districts fill gaps with emergency credentials when they cannot find fully certified candidates). An elementary-certified candidate in a well-staffed suburban metro is competing in a surplus market. A special education teacher in a rural district can often pick their school.
Second, the retention read. Since attrition drives about 90% of demand, the shortage is substantially a working-conditions problem, and hundreds of thousands of teachers act on those conditions every year by leaving. If you are one of them, changing careers as a teacher is a well-worn path, not a leap into the void. I see this firsthand: since I started helping people move into instructional design in 2020, the vast majority of the people I have worked with, roughly 80% or more, have been current or former teachers. That pattern is why Peck Academy, my licensed career school, focuses on career transitioners who want structure and support while they make the move.
Is it worth being a teacher in 2026?
My take: it is worth staying if teaching feels like your calling, your administrators support you, and you earn enough for a decent living. All three are important, and the state data above can tell you a lot about how much leverage you have where you live.
If you want good work-life balance and higher earning potential, careers like instructional design can offer a much better lifestyle.Devlin Peck
If those conditions are not being met, better work-life balance, higher earning potential, and remote opportunities exist outside the classroom, and your teaching experience transfers to more of them than you might expect.
Read more:
- Best jobs for former teachers
- National teacher shortage statistics
- Why teachers quit
- Teacher burnout statistics
Sources
- Learning Policy Institute, State Teacher Shortages 2026 Update
- National Center for Education Statistics, School Pulse Panel press release (October 2024)
- U.S. Department of Education, Teacher Shortage Areas
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: High School Teachers
- UNESCO, Global Report on Teachers
- Education Week, What Will Teacher Shortages Look Like in 2024 and Beyond?
- Education Week, Teacher Shortages Are Improving, With Two Big Exceptions
- Learning Policy Institute, An Overview of Teacher Shortages: 2026