The job market for music teachers in the United States

There are currently an estimated 122,800 music teachers in the United States. The music teacher job market is expected to grow by 1.7% between 2024 and 2034.

How employable are music teachers?

CareerExplorer rates music teachers with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 2,000 music teachers.

Are music teachers in demand?

According to the National Association for Music Education, national averages indicate that music teacher supply and demand is balanced. However, different economies and population demographics will create variances from region to region. This will likely produce overall average job growth for music teachers throughout the next decade. While most states require that teachers obtain and maintain a license to teach music, specific licensing requirements vary greatly between states. Therefore, teachers who have earned a Bachelor’s Degree in music education will considerably enhance their job prospects nationwide. Those wishing to teach at the college level are generally expected to have a Master’s Degree or Doctorate in music education. While it is true that music teachers employed by elementary and secondary schools and colleges are typically more vulnerable to board budget cuts, they also have more opportunities than their counterparts teaching the so-called academic subjects to offer private lessons. This flexibility to charge their own fees and accept as many students as they wish may offset periodic downturns and any uncertainty of employability in the field.

What’s the supply of music teachers?

The music teacher industry is concentrated in New York, California, Texas

Music Teacher job market by state