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Job outlook for extension educators in the United States
Extension educator job and salary trends over time
Extension educator jobs over time
Extension educator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 333 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 253 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 273 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 251 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 264 | 0.00% |
Average extension educator salary over time
Extension educator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $44,052 | $21.18 | +3.7% |
| 2025 | $42,480 | $20.42 | --0.3% |
| 2024 | $42,591 | $20.48 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $42,309 | $20.34 | +0.0% |
| 2022 | $42,292 | $20.33 | +0.6% |
Extension educator jobs by state
Most common states for extension educators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 79 | 6% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 37 | 4% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 25 | 4% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 39 | 3% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 26 | 3% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 24 | 3% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 17 | 3% |
| 8 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 141 | 2% |
| 9 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 137 | 2% |
| 10 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 121 | 2% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 116 | 2% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 88 | 2% |
| 13 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 87 | 2% |
| 14 | Mississippi | 2,984,100 | 53 | 2% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 37 | 2% |
| 16 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 34 | 2% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 18 | 2% |
| 18 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 18 | 2% |
| 19 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 17 | 2% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 14 | 2% |
Most common cities for extension educators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amherst | 4 | 11% | $39,507 |
| 2 | East Lansing | 1 | 2% | $41,566 |
| 3 | Clinton | 1 | 1% | $42,800 |
| 4 | Flint | 1 | 1% | $42,624 |
Extension Educator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of extension educator experts
Aultman College
Bethel University
The College of New Jersey
Gonzaga University
College of Education and Human Development
Marquette University
What skills stand out on Extension Educator resumes?
Jo Ann Donnenwirth: When reviewing resumes, it is always important to view clinical experiences, specialty areas, technical skills (including educational platforms), online teaching, and various course content delivery methods.
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.
Associate Provost - Innovation and Partnerships, Program Director/Professor, Ed.D. Leadership in Higher EducationBethel University
Education Leadership
What experience really stands out on Extension Educator resumes?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: Resume advice can be challenging because a resume review and hiring committee evaluation can be so subjective. Experience in grant writing is always considered valuable, as is (evidenced) ability to analyze data and research and develop data-driven recommendations critically. However, documenting this experience in a compelling and interpretable way is also necessary, which reiterates the importance of researching the hiring organization, role, stakeholders, and perhaps even the search committee members - so that the applicant is best able to translate their experiences into a relevant context.
Further, stand-out experiences will significantly differ, based on their role and context. For example, Dr. Ayrn Baxter, a professor in our program and also an administrator from the University of Idaho and Arizona State University, reminds us about the importance of understanding the shared challenges and contributions/potential synergies between domestic equity and diversity work in higher education and the creation of international educators facilitating internationalization and global engagement.
Janet Gray Ph.D.
Professor and Department ChairThe College of New Jersey
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Extension Educators in the next 5 years?
Janet Gray Ph.D.: I think an increase, though not dramatic. WGSS majors graduate with a capacity to analyze and strategize about a wide range of social justice issues, including racial justice, LGBTQ rights, immigration rights, and disability rights, in addition to gender equity. Very few employers require a degree specifically in WGSS. Still, many employers value the skills students gain through their major, and I would expect social justice skills to be increasingly in demand, across employment sectors, in the coming years. Most WGSS majors take second majors as well, and their combined majors give them an edge in a broad range of fields--including mental health, public health, law, education, politics, business, and government.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Extension Educators to find work opportunities?
Shannon Dunn Ph.D.: Many graduates go into the fields of law, journalism, and other graduate programs. Some graduates choose to work in religiously-affiliated schools and other religious institutions and houses of worship. One thing that may surprise people to learn is that a degree in religious studies can prepare a person for all careers. Because curiosity about what people believe and how they act is at the root of religious studies, students in this field are often lifelong learners and put their critical thinking skills to work in any career they choose.
Dr. Belinda Flores Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Professional Preparation & Partnerships, Professor, Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, Principal Investigator & Founder, Academy for Teacher Excellence Research CenterCollege of Education and Human Development
Bicultural-Bilingual Studies
What experience really stands out on Extension Educator resumes?
Dr. Belinda Flores Ph.D.: In addition to completing degree and certification requirements, employers want to see robust communication skills, digital literacy, and community engagement.
What Extension Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Laurie Marks: One crucial thing any upcoming grad (including those studying Conflict Resolution) can do is look for experiences through internships or other forms of experiential learning that will help them build both soft skills and technical skills. For example, this means seeking opportunities where they are learning both written and verbal communication skills and cross-cultural communication skills. Having a robust and soft skill set is critical, especially in the first few years of one's career, developing a professional identity. Getting experience with the technical skills employers seek when trying to hire someone with a background in conflict resolution is also critical. Going into a job interview and talking specifically about how you were a part of engaging groups in one or more forms of conflict resolution methods can set potential candidates apart from others. Learning the methods and theories is essential, but equally important is applying it and reflecting on how you want to articulate your experience in an interview.