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Job outlook for elementary art teachers in the United States
Elementary art teacher job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected elementary art teacher job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 60,200 new jobs for elementary art teachers are projected over the next decade.
Elementary art teacher salaries have increased 9% for elementary art teachers in the last 5 years.
There are over 41,189 elementary art teachers currently employed in the United States.
There are 70,369 active elementary art teacher job openings in the US.
The average elementary art teacher salary is $39,926.
Are elementary art teacher jobs in demand?
Elementary art teacher job and salary trends over time
Elementary art teacher jobs over time
Elementary art teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 41,189 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 42,095 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 43,978 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 43,287 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 43,540 | 0.01% |
Average elementary art teacher salary over time
Elementary art teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $39,926 | $19.19 | +2.1% |
| 2025 | $39,094 | $18.79 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $38,150 | $18.34 | +1.9% |
| 2023 | $37,449 | $18.00 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | $36,558 | $17.58 | +1.7% |
Elementary art teacher jobs by state
Most common states for elementary art teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 136 | 20% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 204 | 15% |
| 3 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 411 | 14% |
| 4 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,088 | 12% |
| 5 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 747 | 12% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 689 | 12% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 667 | 12% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 123 | 12% |
| 9 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,403 | 11% |
| 10 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 223 | 11% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 718 | 10% |
| 12 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 186 | 10% |
| 13 | Delaware | 961,939 | 96 | 10% |
| 14 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 254 | 9% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 58 | 9% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 798 | 8% |
| 17 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 704 | 8% |
| 18 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 549 | 8% |
| 19 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 377 | 8% |
| 20 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 239 | 8% |
Most common cities for elementary art teachers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento | 1 | 0% | $51,336 |
Elementary Art Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of elementary art teacher experts
University of South Florida
American Samoa Community College
University of New England
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Whitworth University
New Mexico State University
Bucknell University
University of New Orleans
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Hartwick College
Colorado Mesa University
Saint Mary's College of California
Texas Woman's University
School of the Art Institute of Chicag
University of Guam
High Point University
What will help Elementary Art Teachers increase their earning potential?
Sumudu Lewis: Maximizing salary potential can be done through various means. It is important that career teachers stay informed about the school district's salary scale and know about bonuses and other incentives - like running extra curricular activities. Explore opportunities to take additional classes for University credit. Advanced degrees like doctoral degrees allow teachers to qualify for positions like department chair, curriculum lead, or other administrative positions.
What general advice would you give to an Elementary Art Teacher?
Jonathan Higgins Ed.D.: Get involved in your school. Many club sponsor, team lead, coaching positions come with a supplement. Other teachers will work after-school tutoring programs, tutor privately, or work summer school. Additionally, many districts pay more for advanced degrees. The amount may only be $2,500 or so per year, but if you spend $10,000 on a Masters degree, it is likely you will pay it back in four or five years and then be making more money. Unfortunately, the only other way to maximize salary is to move into a more administrative role. It is sad when we see good teachers leaving the classroom to pursue administration solely for economic reasons. In addition, it is sad for administration when we see not so great people also move into those roles because they want to be paid more as well.
What Elementary Art Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sarah Lauer: At the end of the day, relationships are at the heart of teaching. Listen as carefully as you can to your students. Invite them into the adventure of learning. Be playful yourself, and encourage play in learning for your students.
What will help Elementary Art Teachers increase their earning potential?
Sarah Lauer: View yourself as the professional that you are. Seek out those resources that will help you to continually improve in your career path. This might mean joining a professional learning community (PLC) at your school, or starting an online/evening/weekend Master’s degree program. Be curious when something doesn’t go well in the classroom. Build a network of experts and resources that you can go to when you have questions.
Shirley De La Rosa
Program Director, Teacher Education DepartmentAmerican Samoa Community College
Education
What Elementary Art Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shirley De La Rosa: Entering the education field now is good due to improved pay scale for teachers with Bachelor, Master, and PhD Degrees, higher pay for certification, and many openings for teachers.
What general advice would you give to an Elementary Art Teacher?
Peter Badalament: Being an inquiry-based thinker, Flexibility, Learning to actively listen, Give feedback
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD
Associate Professor of English, Humanities and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; co-chair of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Assessment CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to an Elementary Art Teacher?
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD: Trauma-Informed Pedagogy and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy are going to become even more important with each passing year as we recognize the way that trauma and circumstance affect the ability of students to learn. Technology will always be evolving, and we will always be running behind to catch it, but nothing can replace the feeling that a child has when she/he/they have been really 'seen' by a teacher. It makes all of the difference in terms of learning, self-esteem, belonging and hope.
What Elementary Art Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD: I think it is important to recognize that teachers are in high demand right now and that means that you are able to make choices that best suit you. Remember that the highest paying position may not be the one that makes you the happiest. Think about where you would like to live, how comfortable you feel in the community, what role you would be playing in the school community as well as the surrounding community and determine if that is enough/too much for you, and, most importantly, listen to your instincts if it feels like a good fit. Teaching is such an emotionally demanding job that you need to love where you are working, and you need to have a good support system. Take a look at the turnover at the school. Go and take a look at the minutes from school board meetings and PTA meetings, which will tell you what is most important to the school and the community in relation to matters of education. The second thing that I would suggest is to continually strive to gain more education, above and beyond the continuing education that you are required to take. Take advantage of all of the professional development that you can and seek out opportunities that will strengthen your teaching portfolio.
What will help Elementary Art Teachers increase their earning potential?
Megan Griffin PhD, BCBA-D: My advice would be that this is a marathon, not a sprint. New professionals coming into Education are so needed--bringing their energy and creative ideas for innovation. We need you! Find ways to ensure that you take care of yourself so that you can continue in the field for years to come. It's also important to find both a mentor and a support system within your peer group. A mentor who is more experienced can help you navigate school politics and procedures, as well as offer ideas and resources when you need them. Your support system can provide you with encouragement and understanding from those who are in a similar place in their careers.
Leanna Lucero Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director of Elementary Education; Associate Director of School of Teacher Preparation, Administration, and Leadership (TPAL)New Mexico State University
Curriculum And Instruction
What Elementary Art Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Leanna Lucero Ph.D.: It is important to remember why you went into the field of Education and Curriculum and Instruction. Find joy in the uncertainty and unpredictability because those nuances keep us energized and fresh. An asset-based approach is essential to have when entering the field of Education and Curriculum and Instruction.
What will help Elementary Art Teachers increase their earning potential?
Leanna Lucero Ph.D.: In order to maximize your salary potential it is important to consider the state where you will work and the credentials and experience you bring to the job. There will be opportunities to further your education, which will make you more marketable for higher paid positions.
What general advice would you give to an Elementary Art Teacher?
Janet VanLone Ph.D.: Advice that I often give to my graduates as they enter their first year of teaching: We currently have a teacher shortage in this country. As a well-prepared and qualified teacher, you can take time during the job search and interview process to find a school that is a good fit for you. Ask a lot of questions. What kind of support do new teachers get? What is the teacher retention rate in the district? What is the leadership philosophy of the administrative team? Prioritize finding a position in a district where you will be valued and have the potential to continue learning and growing as a new teacher. Your students' learning conditions are your working conditions. At the start of the year, taking time to create a classroom environment that supports your students' academic and social/emotional growth has endless benefits. The first few weeks of the school year are so important. Determine your classroom expectations and routines. Explicitly teach and practice those expectations. Provide lots of positive reinforcement when your students are doing the right thing. Classroom management lays the foundation for a productive and positive year for you and your students. Teaching is not a competitive sport. We do our best when we are collaborative. Work to build relationships with colleagues, families, and the school community. Remember that you are not alone!
What general advice would you give to an Elementary Art Teacher?
David Podgorski Ph.D.: Team building, wet chemistry, and time management are all critical skills. In addition, technology is the future in every sector. Every student should learn as much as they can about emerging technologies like computer programing, AI, etc. The jobs of the future will rely on those that create/operate technology.
What will help Elementary Art Teachers increase their earning potential?
David Podgorski Ph.D.: Make sure to keep your options open. Do not turn away an opportunity just because it doesn’t check every box on your list. You will have opportunities to find your dream job by getting experience. Be honest about what you don’t know. You are not expected to know everything. Employers will train you to do your job. Do not stay in a toxic workplace. Your mental health and wellbeing should be your top priorities. I also suggest that more students consider careers as high school teachers. You get paid well, can live anywhere in the US, and get summers and holidays off. Be open to change. Your career path will not be a straight line. While it is great to have a vision for the future, don’t pass up potential opportunities because you put your skills in a box. Be visible in the community!
What Elementary Art Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Vicki Collet: In addition to pay increases for experience, additional education helps you climb the salary ladder. Be intentional so that your ongoing education counts not just for license renewal, but also for an additional endorsement or degree.
What Elementary Art Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ross Bussell PhD: Teaching is one of the few careers out there that has resisted change over the past 100 years. Technology demands that teachers adapt or fall behind. I remember when the internet first came around, and how profound of an impact it had on the field. Then when social media came around, we saw the impacts on students' ability to focus, the damage it has done to their self-esteem, etc. Projecting forward into the near future, the ability to utilize AI effectively, and teaching students how to use it ethically and as a learning tool will be integral. Teachers need to also understand that critical thinking skills have been largely forgotten. A push back from a testing-focused school system will be necessary. Right now, we have young adults who came through the school system, tested often, but never learned how to critique information they find online for truthfulness and quality. From the earliest years in school, teachers need to begin developing these skills in their students, the 'how to think, not what to think' skill set is extremely important.
What will help Elementary Art Teachers increase their earning potential?
Raquel Muñiz: Have a wide-ranging knowledge of different sectors affecting education, including policy issues.
Christopher Rivera PhD
ProfessorWhat will help Elementary Art Teachers increase their earning potential?
Christopher Rivera PhD: Soft skills will never grow old. Understanding how technology can enrich the classroom environment (e.g., artificial intelligence) will always be beneficial. I also think that longevity, oddly enough, is also of value. It may not be looked at as a skill, but administrators want to invest in teachers that are going to stay in the profession. The profession needs educators and administrators will do what they can to keep quality educators in the classroom.
What general advice would you give to an Elementary Art Teacher?
Brooke Carlson Ph.D.: Employment in the digital age is changing. Graduates will likely job hop, rather than rest within a field and move slowly up over time. English majors are well prepared with a skill set centered on critical thinking, written communication, oral communication, and information literacy. Moreover, English graduates are strong in the soft skills: collaboration, communication, the crafting of narrative, problem solving, evidence-based reasoning, and intellectual adaptability. In employment terms, English majors will likely start working in education and training, journalism, writing, library, and law. Over time, English majors often shift into business, sales, marketing, communication, and management.
What general advice would you give to an Elementary Art Teacher?
Peter Alter Ph.D.: Public school salary systems are determined by years of teaching (sometimes called Steps) and level of education. Get a Master's degree. Add an authorization via coursework. Anything that will move you over a column on the salary schedule. Then figure out your side hustle- coaching, tutoring, doing something completely away from education. This may be challenging in your first year but as you get acclimated, you are going to have more time that you will be able to monetize.
Gina Anderson
Associate Dean for Educator Preparation and PartnershipsTexas Woman's University
TWU College of Professional Education
What Elementary Art Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gina Anderson: The daily workload of an educator varies greatly by the grade level, subject area, and needs of the students served. If the grade level is a "tested" year, this means that the expectations and pressures are typically higher in that standardized test scores are used to make high-stakes decisions about the student's progress, the teacher's effectiveness, and the school's and district's reputation. Similarly, if a grade level is one associated with a benchmark (all students reading at grade level) or for foundational skills (learning to read). Secondary teachers are also held responsible for end of year progress of their students - especially for subjects like English, Science, and Math. In the state of Texas, educators spend a minimum of four hours a day on teaching/instruction. Teachers must also spend time planning their instructional lessons, grading students' work, attending to students' and accommodations for learning English as a second language or for special education. The accommodations are not only in practice but also in required paperwork. Furthermore, teachers spend time responding to the behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs of their students; often partnering with other resource personnel in their school or district. Teachers also work with parents, guardians, or care-givers and communicate via meetings, phone, email and in-person visits. Educators are required to engage in a minimum number of professional development hours per academic year as well. In the state of Texas, educators are required to complete 150 continuing professional education clock hours over a five year renewal period. Many teachers spend time on the weekends and during the summer months attending to their teaching or professional development responsibilities. Some educators take on a second job during the summer months to supplement their income, as well. Finally, the above is the minimum expected of teachers. Many, if not most teachers, truly care about their students and engage far beyond the minimum by sponsoring extracurricular activities and building relationships with students. Excellent educators also are often tapped for additional roles such as serving as a mentor or cooperating teacher for pre-service teachers engaging in field work as required by their educator preparation program. When all is factored in to a typical day in the life of an educator, including instructional time, preparation, paperwork, accommodations, compliance with rules and regulations, professional development, relationship-building, and supporting future educators, it is usually well above a typical 8 hour workday and 40 hour work week.
Andrew Falkowski
Graduate Coordinator and Associate ChaiSchool of the Art Institute of Chicag
Department of Painting and Drawing
What skills stand out on Elementary Art Teacher resumes?
Andrew Falkowski: Skill is a nebulous term, but examples of previous experience organizing a curriculum as an educator give an art department a sense of how someone would approach their class. Also, foregrounding the type of work one does in their career, as it relates to what someone teaches, is also really helpful. If someone is new to teaching, having a solid ability to use foundational skills is really helpful because introductory courses are usually the first type of classes offered.
What soft skills should all Elementary Art Teachers possess?
Andrew Falkowski: The ability to make people comfortable is incredibly helpful. Also, being enthusiastic about what one is teaching is necessary. You shouldn't teach if you aren't interested in sharing your enthusiasm for the material. Compartmentalizing larger ideas into manageable parts helps students assimilate information more easily. Being able to speak authentically about course narratives goes a long way in creating a consistent class engagement. Lastly, being open and curious about what students are bringing to the class creates a more open class environment and can activate students' energy.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Elementary Art Teachers?
Andrew Falkowski: Again, skill is a nebulous term, and there isn't one set of skills that apply to all courses, with perhaps the exceptions of being well organized and being a clear and consistent communicator.
What skills will help Elementary Art Teachers earn the most?
Andrew Falkowski: Making artwork, writing, administrating, curating, public speaking, and obviously teaching are all skills that help one 'earn' more opportunities for higher-paying jobs. I have noticed at the college level that having a consistent national exhibition record seems to make a difference between those who are considered for full-time contracts and those who remain adjunct/part-time instructors. Also, being willing and able to relocate from one program to another helps. All that being said, I taught as an adjunct while showing nationally for 11 years before I was hired for a full-time contract, so sometimes it just takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work to get there.
Matthew Limtiaco
Assistant Professor of Elementary EducationUniversity of Guam
School of Education
What soft skills should all Elementary Art Teachers possess?
Matthew Limtiaco: Empathy, patience, and a fearless capacity to critically examine the nature of our education practices (both as an individual practitioner and as an active member of a field that is in constant evolution). Education priorities have prioritized job placement, skills demanded by industry, and individual attainment. Despite warnings regarding impending climate change, increased social disparity, and a reemergence of authoritarian government systems globally, our education priorities have shifted with minimal effort to meet these challenges since I entered the field over two decades ago.
COVID has shined a spotlight on flaws and opportunities teachers might seize. Our field is uniquely positioned to address these challenges by influencing measurable shifts in human behavior so that our children are poised to adjust social behavior, governmental policy, and economic trends. We have an opportunity to celebrate communal success over individual gain, critical examination over immediate and convenient answers, and global mindedness over xenophobia. Many say there is no going back to the way it was before COVID. In the case of education, that might not be such a bad thing.
What skills stand out on Elementary Art Teacher resumes?
Matthew Limtiaco: An appreciation for the diversity in any given classroom is critical, along with the skills and commitment toward meeting the needs of students who come from a myriad of family backgrounds, social settings, belief systems, economic statuses', and histories of access and familiarity with our education system.
Each student brings with them a completely different set of skills, interests, fears, and struggles. Our capacity for empathy, honesty, and resourcefulness directly translates to student and classroom experience. Teachers reach students when they have the tools to connect with each student, show them that they are caring adults, and help each student realize their potential through measurable development in content areas as well as soft skills.
This is true online or in face-to-face settings. Online classrooms teachers are maximizing the reduced window of interaction with students by streamlining the delivery and assessment of content. No doubt, this priority is influenced by a culture of results-oriented teaching based on narrow measures. This compromise is made with a cost. Efforts toward social-emotional support should be increased in online classes, while content expectations should be relaxed during perhaps the most stressful time our young ones and their families have faced in their lives. Any absence of empathy and soft skill development in online settings is a product of decades-old priorities placed on high-stakes tests based on national standards.
Teachers entering the field should have a strong understanding of the need for social-emotional support and an ability to meet the needs of diverse students.
Dr. Shirley Disseler
Associate Professor of Elementary & Middle Grades Education, Education Coordinator: STEM Education Program and LEGO Education TrainerHigh Point University
Education Department
What soft skills should all Elementary Art Teachers possess?
Dr. Shirley Disseler: -Leadership skills (showing leadership in organizations during college and participating in school events during student teaching)
-Teamwork (The ability to work with other teachers, accept constructive feedback)
-Cultural Competence (Being culturally aware and sensitive to the curriculum from a cultural perspective)