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Job outlook for team leaders in the United States
Team leader job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected team leader job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 28,900 new jobs for team leaders are projected over the next decade.
Team leader salaries have increased 7% for team leaders in the last 5 years.
There are over 386,857 team leaders currently employed in the United States.
There are 197,336 active team leader job openings in the US.
The average team leader salary is $68,817.
Are team leader jobs in demand?
Team leader job and salary trends over time
Team leader jobs over time
Team leader job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 386,857 | 0.11% |
| 2020 | 363,912 | 0.11% |
| 2019 | 396,279 | 0.12% |
| 2018 | 397,987 | 0.12% |
| 2017 | 401,795 | 0.12% |
Average team leader salary over time
Team leader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $68,817 | $33.09 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $66,782 | $32.11 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $65,590 | $31.53 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $63,802 | $30.67 | --1.3% |
| 2021 | $64,613 | $31.06 | +1.9% |
Team leader jobs by state
Most common states for team leaders
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 312 | 45% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 524 | 39% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 3,205 | 38% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,586 | 38% |
| 5 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 1,174 | 38% |
| 6 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 290 | 38% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,973 | 35% |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 1,993 | 34% |
| 9 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 997 | 34% |
| 10 | Delaware | 961,939 | 317 | 33% |
| 11 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 3,268 | 32% |
| 12 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,969 | 32% |
| 13 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 1,315 | 32% |
| 14 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 965 | 32% |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 3,950 | 31% |
| 16 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 2,093 | 31% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 2,040 | 31% |
| 18 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 1,548 | 31% |
| 19 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 1,530 | 31% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 411 | 31% |
Most common cities for team leaders
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 28 | 100% | $49,387 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 37 | 94% | $75,739 |
| 3 | Lansing | 47 | 41% | $68,482 |
| 4 | Hartford | 32 | 26% | $79,645 |
| 5 | Des Moines | 43 | 20% | $45,952 |
| 6 | Baton Rouge | 38 | 17% | $59,424 |
| 7 | Boston | 105 | 16% | $84,159 |
| 8 | Little Rock | 31 | 16% | $56,608 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 70 | 15% | $63,652 |
| 10 | Orlando | 37 | 13% | $63,278 |
| 11 | Sacramento | 40 | 8% | $85,501 |
| 12 | Indianapolis | 61 | 7% | $53,145 |
| 13 | Denver | 44 | 6% | $58,881 |
| 14 | Washington | 41 | 6% | $86,053 |
| 15 | Baltimore | 32 | 5% | $75,755 |
| 16 | Detroit | 32 | 5% | $69,955 |
| 17 | Phoenix | 52 | 3% | $60,527 |
| 18 | Chicago | 44 | 2% | $62,550 |
Team Leader job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of team leader experts
Bethel University
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.
Associate Provost - Innovation and Partnerships, Program Director/Professor, Ed.D. Leadership in Higher EducationBethel University
Education Leadership
What skills stand out on Team Leader resumes?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: The skills that "stand out" on an educational leader's resume are those that synergize into a coherent story. So not necessarily the skills that are self-identified and listed under a "skills" heading, but those that are evidenced through outcomes achieved appointments/promotions, or other demonstrated successes. For example, in an educational institution, being elected to a chair or moderator position within a senate structure might indicate characteristics of diplomacy, advocacy, collaboration, and wisdom. The resume reader can imagine how those attributes might translate to a new employment space, with much more confidence than if those same characteristics were merely listed as skills. So first, on a resume, prioritize representing your skills through a story, experience, and evidence (rather than self-described adjectives) in a way that reflects your unique narrative.
Now, regarding the specific skills. Some of the skills desired in an educational leader change, based on the institutional context, the previous leader, unique internal or external challenges, etc. However, I would suggest two interminable and foundational skills that will always stand out on a resume and differentiate the applicant: working hard and working with others. Employers want to hire a hard worker, determined, responsible, trustworthy, and strong work ethic. And employers want to hire someone who others want to work with, someone who is collaborative, thoughtful, or in Ingnation or Jesuit language, someone who is for and with others.
Those two skills form a foundation for professional success.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Team Leaders?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: Many hard/technical skills are incredibly context-specific, so importance varies by role and/or industry. But for educational leaders, generally applicable skills might be related to teaching and learning constructs, finance and budgeting, and basic legal issues awareness. Perhaps familiarity with specific content management systems or learning management systems, but again, this use varies by institution.
What skills will help Team Leaders earn the most?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: For educational leaders, I'm not convinced discrete skills equate to salary. Working hard and working well with others, with a disposition of humility and curiosity, is really powerful. Perhaps the combination of soft and hard skills gained through diverse experiences, positions, and institutional contexts results in the highest earning potential.