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Training and education specialist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected training and education specialist job growth rate is 8% from 2018-2028.
About 28,900 new jobs for training and education specialists are projected over the next decade.
Training and education specialist salaries have increased 6% for training and education specialists in the last 5 years.
There are over 18,772 training and education specialists currently employed in the United States.
There are 51,701 active training and education specialist job openings in the US.
The average training and education specialist salary is $59,316.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,772 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 17,767 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 17,455 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 16,278 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 15,661 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $59,316 | $28.52 | +2.4% |
| 2025 | $57,906 | $27.84 | +0.6% |
| 2024 | $57,585 | $27.68 | +0.8% |
| 2023 | $57,102 | $27.45 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | $55,835 | $26.84 | +1.4% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 252 | 36% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 272 | 20% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 985 | 18% |
| 4 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 545 | 17% |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 321 | 17% |
| 6 | Delaware | 961,939 | 167 | 17% |
| 7 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 219 | 16% |
| 8 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 168 | 16% |
| 9 | Vermont | 623,657 | 99 | 16% |
| 10 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 95 | 16% |
| 11 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,051 | 15% |
| 12 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,184 | 14% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 777 | 14% |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 545 | 14% |
| 15 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 413 | 14% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 109 | 14% |
| 17 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,640 | 13% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 944 | 13% |
| 19 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 807 | 13% |
| 20 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 383 | 13% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frankfort | 1 | 4% | $43,807 |
| 2 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $65,566 |
| 3 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $65,079 |
| 4 | Tallahassee | 2 | 1% | $45,163 |
| 5 | Ann Arbor | 1 | 1% | $60,616 |
| 6 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $65,886 |
| 7 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $59,408 |
| 8 | Washington | 2 | 0% | $76,506 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $52,691 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $50,982 |
| 11 | Charlotte | 1 | 0% | $56,224 |
| 12 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $54,300 |
| 13 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $49,498 |
| 14 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $57,761 |
| 15 | Irvine | 1 | 0% | $59,111 |
University of Alaska Fairbanks
University of Richmond
University of Denver
Colorado State University

Rocky Mountain College

Alverno College

Edgewood College

Monmouth University
Marshall University

Nyack College
Montclair State University

University of Alaska Anchorage

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
University of Central Missouri
The Catholic University of America
Rocky Mountain College

University of Puget Sound

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of California, Los Angeles
Jaunelle Celaire: Learn from everything. Remember every moment is a learning opportunity from everyone around you, no matter their title. Pay attention when things go well and clue in and pay extra attention when they do not; watch how people react to it. Build relationships and network with the people who face problems by being their solution.
University of Richmond
Teacher Education And Professional Development, Specific Levels And Methods
Allison Brenning: One of the greatest skills needed in schools today and in the future is adaptability. Our student population is changing every year, and with that comes a wider variety of strengths and needs for teachers to address.
Allison Brenning: My first piece of advice pertains to the process of searching for a teaching position. I would advise recent graduates to approach career searching with an open mind as they consider their options.
Maria Salazar Ph.D.: The coronavirus will have an enduring impact on higher education graduates. In the field of education, graduates have experienced first hand the deep and lasting inequalities that the coronavirus has had on youth and families from Communities of Color. The have seen educational gaps widen into education chasms. They have witnessed the struggles, successes, and resiliency of families as they navigate the impact of the virus. Graduates leave education programs with their eyes wide open to the systemic racism and other isms that impact youth and their families, from education, to healthcare, and beyond.
In teacher education programs, our graduates have had a front row seat to inequality. They have witnessed children and adolescents disengage from schooling and life. They have struggled to support their students' mental and physical health. They ache to be with their students in classrooms, yet fear the repercussions of close contact due to the virus. Yet, they persist, and they keep believing they can make a difference.
Maria Salazar Ph.D.: A day at work for a recent graduate in the field of education is unknown, yet it is known. Schools will certainly change. We will definitely see greater use of technology. Innovation may impact the school day and approach to schooling. Yet, traditional schools may eventually revert to what is known. The factory model of schooling is engrained in U.S. Society. The school enterprise may eventually go back to the "normal" disengaging and alienating model that existed before the virus. And yet, a work day may look radically different. Innovative options for schooling may arise that push beyond the boundaries of what is known. The potential for change is everywhere, in all sectors of the economy. Why not education?
Maria Salazar Ph.D.: Technical skills that stand out to employers in the education sector during and after the time of COVID include interpersonal skills, ability to navigate change and challenges, and commitment to educational equity. Interacting with colleagues, students, and families online is challenging. This requires a set of interpersonal skills that involve a tolerance for uncertainty, risk-taking, creativity, and innovation. The ability to navigate change and challenges is essential during uncertain times. In schools, the landscape is alway changing, and more so in a global pandemic.
It is important to foster a growth-mindset in oneself, and also in one's school community. Employers are also looking for a commitment to educational equity. With emerging consciousness of racial inequality and the need for systems that promote racial justice, employers want to hire people who are culturally competent and can move beyond statements of the value of diversity, to the enactment of educational environments that promote equity for those who are marginalized. This skill set includes: cross-cultural communication, culturally responsive teaching, and strength-based practices.
Colorado State University
Center for Educator Preparation
Dr. Ann Sebald: Not sure what is meant by 'enduring'. However, if you are asking if there will be a long/longer term impact of the pandemic on recent graduates entering the teaching profession, I would say yes. As the state continues to work through the fiscal impact of the pandemic, schools will need to identify their priorities. As it relates to in-person learning, educators have done an amazing job at continuous adjustments during the past year. Teacher candidates have learned along-side veteran educators how best to adapt the learning environment for all students and their needs. What we've learned over this past year is being applied in schools around the globe moving forward.
Dr. Ann Sebald: The state of Colorado, similar to many states across the country, is experiencing a teacher shortage, and more recently, a substitute teacher crisis. The job market is good for novices entering the field. The need for teachers is greatest in rural areas of our state. For details regarding the teacher shortage and how districts are addressing, see www.cde.state.co.us.
Dr. Ann Sebald: Within the field of P-12 education, the question that should be asked is what will help people in our field improve student learning. Professional development opportunities, supported by what we have learned from recent and on-going research, is what will support teachers and leaders within the field of P-12 education. The goal remains the same, how can we best prepare future children and youth to be well prepared to address the challenges and opportunities they will face as they graduate and move out into the workforce and world.

Rocky Mountain College
Leadership and Distance Education Program
Dr. Stevie Schmitz: I believe that there will be an enduring impact on the entire education system due to the pandemic. Students may experience gaps in their education due to remote learning which will have to be addressed by educational leaders and their faculty members as well as parents. Social emotional stress is bound to be a factor as students return to school. Leaders need to support students and staff with this transition. Educational technology will occupy a new role in public education and we need to embrace and support it. Financial impact will also be a reality for newly graduated educational leaders. Money spent or needing to be spent on safety measures will continue as more students return to school. All of these situations (and others not yet imagined) will impact new leaders.
Dr. Stevie Schmitz: It will be stressful and rewarding...complicated by the impact of the pandemic and yet still rewarding because of working with young people and helping them reach their full potential.
Dr. Stevie Schmitz: The demand for more leaders may increase earning potential, but it will be tempered by the additional expenses incurred and the stagnant revenue stream to meet those demands.

Randa Suleiman Ph.D.: The pandemic had an impact on all of us including our students. In education, the shift from face to face teaching to online pushed our teacher candidates to show their skills. As an Alverno graduate, our teachers tend to be ore versed in technology integration and comfortable teaching in multi-media classrooms.
Randa Suleiman Ph.D.: Are you asking about my job as a faculty? If yes, here is my answer: As a faculty, I worked diligently to model best practices teaching in a virtual environment. I believe in modeling my expectations. As education faculty, we have to walk the talk. I created effective learning environment for my teacher candidates that they can take ideas and strategies to implement in their own teaching.
Randa Suleiman Ph.D.: As more teachers are leaving the field, there is a teacher shortage. All teaching licenses are needed. Some of the areas with immediate needs are special education and bilingual

Edgewood College
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Tom Holub Ph.D.: There has been great stability in the field, with salaries increasing over time. The new and improved alliances with insurance companies have eased some pressure that families have felt. Previously, in many cases, families did not seek out the assistance of a certified RPSE because of the hourly fees. More contemporarily insurance coverage has made this access much better. The efficacy of our interventions is increased when families do not have deep-seated worries about paying for these necessary services.

Antonio Estudillo Ph.D.: A range of considerations come to mind, all of which are interconnected and speak to sustainability in the field of education. Generally speaking, there is a teacher shortage where specific endorsements are concerned (e.g., STEM, Special Education, ESL/working with Multi-Lingual Leaners as well as historically underrepresented students). Of immediate interest is the recruitment and retention of our teaching force that cannot simply pivot how they approach teaching pedagogy, but actually how prospective teacher-educators can change their practices to be more learner-centered, equity-minded, and intentional moving forward (i.e., namely, concentration in quality of technology applications and usage; online learning/blended learning/hybrid intruction).
Specific to the pandemic, this is perhaps most pressing when considering how to better differentiate within and across learning environments/spaces to offer a personalized student experience-facilitating and cultivating meaningful engagement, especially having incoming teachers bring with them an increased/enhanced sense of self and awareness-knowledge of the backgrounds and representation of children of color (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and in particular Latinx and Black/African-American students. In addition too, per job market and the current pandemic, there is still a tremendous need to increase and diversify the ethnic-racial representation of the teaching force.
Antonio Estudillo Ph.D.: I may not have an exact estimation, but I do foresee pre-service teacher educators who enter into the profession with technical skills that are integrative and flexible as being most favorable. Per our times in COVID-19 and beyond, the increased saliency in willingness to be both mindful and continuously learn newer skills even after one graduates will be critical to one's success. This may also include some awareness and practice in underscoring an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning/curriculum development and assessment.
Meaning, as far as one's experience in teaching pedagogy-skill development prior to entering the profession ought to be open to increased experiences in such areas as collaboration/encouraging professional learning (e.g., team-based approaches), independent project management, and continuous means of self-reflection (i.e., reflective artifacts or representation of works that signal an aim to increase competencies in all things related to the profession; spotlighting research and informed decision making; culturally sustaining practices).
Antonio Estudillo Ph.D.: One where an individual out of college has the opportunity to gain access to critical mentorship, professional learning (e.g., professional development), a greater sense of autonomy, and the presence of a community (e.g., sense of belonging as a professional). These combined considerations may be aspirational, but in the context of schools, a recognition for school leadership also matters. Therefore, those seeking a position should aim to consider the present and ongoing investments that are in motion/developing within an institution and how these investments may become increasingly comprehensive, forward-thinking, and accessible over time and after one is hired.
Marshall University
Humanities Department
Dr. E.Del Chrol: Useful soft skills are definitely those that Classical languages produce: ability to look closely at a body of work and pay attention to cultural context, ability to articulate complex ideas through speech and writing, deep focus to understand the fiddly bits of syntax.

David Emanuel Ph.D.: Given the pandemic, I think the biggest trend that we see in the job market is the switch to functioning in a remote environment. The demand to be present in a traditional "office" is fading as more and more employers are forced to find new ways for their staff members to work at home. This opens up new opportunities for applicants because now they are less restricted to applying for work within a commutable distance. More opportunities are opening for a graduate living in New York, for example, to apply for a job with offices in Orlando. Because the need to be physically present in the office has become less crucial, employees do not need to live locally.
Anonymous Professor : A good first job out of college is one that pays enough to cover expenses and save, but also makes you happy. It might also further your educational experience by providing real-world experience and helping young adults refine their goals and aspirations. What that looks like "on the ground" is different for everyone.
Dr. Nicole Barnes: Although the abrupt changes that occurred to K-12 schooling in the Spring of 2020 have given way to more detailed reopening plans and a vaccine is now available, the use of hybrid and remote learning remains with the ongoing influence of COVID-19. Therefore, it seems essential that teacher educators, researchers, and K-12 school districts rethink what good teaching looks like for K-12 education's changed landscape. Teachers more then ever will need to be prepared to teach in virtual environments and garner the same academic, social, and emotional student outcomes that they would face to face.
Dr. Nicole Barnes: The two areas where current teachers appear to be struggling are how to motivate and assess students in a virtual environment. In our Certificate Program in Educational Assessment at MSU, for example, we provide teachers will the knowledge and skills to do this well, and administrators with the tools to scaffold their teachers' development in these areas.
Dr. Nicole Barnes: Our graduates are obviously looking for teaching, counseling, or administrative positions in K-12 schools. What I hope for them is that they are in an environment that supports their future learning, and puts kids (all kids) at the forefront of their decision making processes.

University of Alaska Anchorage
College of Arts and Science; School of Education; Educational Leadership Program
Ginger Blackmon: I believe the biggest trends we will see in the education job market given the pandemic include an increase in the teacher shortage as a number of retirement-age professionals will choose to leave the classroom rather than risk returning the face-to-face instruction that increases their chance of exposure to the coronavirus. This trend will lead to a shift in how state departments, school districts, and university preparation programs think about the preparation of teachers and school leaders to fill these positions.
Ginger Blackmon: If a graduate needs to take a gap year, gaining skills and experience in working among diverse groups of school-age children in non-school settings will enhance their work as teachers. Volunteering in after-school programs, sports programs, boys and girls clubs, and academic/arts programs will give graduates opportunities to build meaningful relationships with children. Gaining experience in building meaningful relationships with children and families outside of the stress and pressure of the modern classroom will enhance their success as they begin their teaching careers.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
Career and Professional Development Center, Academic Affairs
Dr. Tammy Manko Ed.D.: We'll see an increased need for change management and agile responses. We'll also see an increase in the number of interviews being conducted virtually. More workplaces will conduct onboarding virtually and use flexible and hybrid work schedules, more specifically those including work-from-home or virtual work, at least temporarily, if not more permanently. We will see continued hiring and organizational growth, despite concerns from many regarding the job market. All industries will experience an increased need for upskilling and reskilling of employees. Technological skills will be in high demand and so will human skills, such as emotional intelligence, negotiation, nonverbal communication, collaboration, and change agility.
University of Central Missouri
Early Childhood Education Department
Lea Porta: Endure, yes, we must endure. The students I've encountered are facing these challenges head on and then overcoming these new obstacles. These students are thinking on their feet! Learning and even adapting to real time change. Although, I wish none of us were in this position, it has moved the bar and standards up. I think our students are achieving lifelong skills.
The Catholic University of America
Department of Education
Agnes Cave Ph.D.: a. Students in general need more support in a virtual classroom. Those students who have exceptionalities or other needs, such as English Language Learners, need even more scaffolding and assistance. Differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students including those with special needs or ELL learners is one of the most important and also most difficult skills to learn to implement with real students in a real classroom. Differentiating instruction for all learners in a virtual environment is probably the most challenging task that the majority of teachers have not been prepared for intentionally.
b. Teachers must use assessment data to inform their instruction. Today, we have access to more and more data, so the new skill that teachers have to learn is working with, managing, and analyzing big data in order to understand trends in their students' learning.
c. As I mentioned before, becoming a proficient end user of technology platforms is now a basic skill, the foundation upon which differentiation and all other aspects of teaching rest. Thus, learning more technology including apps, programs, and platforms has become an essential skill that teachers can learn about in their formal and informal professional development. For example, it's not enough to be able to use Zoom and allow all parties to be able to share their screens, the teacher will have to be very good at using the Zoom breakout room feature without a glitch. It's also important to learn to troubleshoot technical glitches.
d. In our ever-evolving, exponentially growing technological society, new technology appears daily. It's important to explore, identify, evaluate, and adopt new digital resources and tools for learning and instruction. I recommend reading useful sources of educational technology and its use in the classroom. It's not enough though to learn about learning apps. Teachers must also learn how to use these learning apps (e.g., Duolingo), programs (e.g., Literably for reading levels), and platforms (e.g. Kahn Academy) to their advantage in the classroom; for instance, for flipping the classroom to create more time for meaningful learning in person and on the screen.
e. Ethical and legal questions have always abound in the field of education, but recently more and more topics require ethical decision making and legal knowledge. Teachers and educator preparation candidates should make sure that they familiarize themselves with topics, such as privacy in online instruction; safe, ethical and legal practice of digital media and tools; protection of intellectual rights and property; management of personal data and digital identity; and protection of student data privacy.
f. Teachers and educator preparation candidates looking for employment will also have to learn how to present themselves virtually to employers, so I recommend practicing interviewing skills by themselves on HandShake, an interviewing platform offered by universities or practice with a career expert at their University Career Center.
g. Good teachers are life-long learners. They continue upskilling and learning more about their content by reading textbooks, primary sources, and literature - but it's not sufficient to read only research literature, it's essential to read high-quality literature! Teachers should also stay current with research that supports improved student learning outcomes, including findings from the learning sciences. In order to keep up with the latest research findings, I recommend that teachers read research articles of effective teaching strategies in their content area.
h. How and where can future teachers practice if they are not in the classroom? They can always find students who need help. Students can be family members, friends' children, neighbors, or school children whose parents look for paid or unpaid additional support. Thus I recommend tutoring students in the age group educator preparation candidates are learning to teach. Even after multiple field experiences in practica and student teaching, more practice is always useful, especially in a virtual environment. Practice teaching online (especially alternative ways of delivering hands-on activities for students of all ages) and implementing behavior management techniques for young online learners.
Agnes Cave Ph.D.: a. Start professional networking now (e.g., on LinkedIn).
b. Reach out to principals to introduce yourself and inquire about job opportunities. If you are able to, offer to tutor a few students to be able to learn more about the school and give them the opportunity to learn about you.
c. Think strategically about your teaching career
-Do you first want to go to grad school? If yes, in what area?
-Do you want to start teaching? In what type of school? Reach out to alumni of your program to establish relationships and ask professional questions. Introduce yourself and see if they can also put in a good word for you or help you get an interview.
-Until you are hired, are you interested in teaching students in pods during the pandemic or in the summer? Teaching in pods provides great practice and a decent income until you can get a full-time job.
d. Important skills for teachers in the classroom (besides all aspects of teaching)
-Flexibility, adaptability to change
-Time management and prioritization
-Collaboration with others
-Effective oral and written communication
-Interest in innovation and creativity
-Ethics and legal matters, moral code in teaching
Rocky Mountain College
Division Chair for Humanities & Fine Arts
Precious McKenzie Ph.D.: The pandemic has brought many new and unexpected challenges. The job market seems to be evolving. As companies have shifted to virtual meetings and remote work, employers will continue to need employees with time management and communication skills. They will need employees who are team builders. These are essential qualities especially when teams are unable to meet face-to-face because of COVID-19.
Precious McKenzie Ph.D.: Employers in the United States and in Europe look for tech skills (database skills, Excel, Adobe and such), but they also acknowledge that they can train employees on how to use technology. What employers cannot teach are skills such as critical thinking and communication, including writing and public speaking. I firmly believe that if a college student majors or minors in English, this will set them apart from the competition in the job market. I have talked with scientists, engineers, and business people who bemoan the fact that professionals in their fields have difficulty with writing, researching, and public speaking. My advice: pick up a minor in English. It will serve you well. In the interest of full disclosure, I am an English professor.
Precious McKenzie Ph.D.: The larger cities seem to have more opportunities available, places such as Denver, Seattle, Minneapolis; yet, there are opportunities in smaller towns across the U.S. The questions then become personal: do you want to work for a large corporation or a smaller one? Are you willing to relocate? Regarding specific industries, engineering seems to remain strong as does healthcare, software engineering, and digital media. Education is seeing massive changes because of COVID-19. Quite a few of my undergraduate students in the field of English go on to law school.

University of Puget Sound
Career and Employment Services
Sue Dahlin: The resume should be tailored specifically to the role you're applying for. When required or preferred skills that were mentioned in the job description are included in your resume, they'll be excited to talk to you. If the job requires familiarity with the Adobe Creative Suite, I would expect to see how you've used those tools over the course of your experiences, not just buried in a laundry list of skills at the bottom of the resume.
Sue Dahlin: As History majors can go a lot of different directions with their degree, that's harder to pinpoint, but I can say this: when job markets tighten, it really helps for a candidate to be flexible about as much as possible, including where (geographically and by type of organization) they'll consider working. Starting in locations where you have a good network can be a good strategy. Always look at that first role out of school as a learning opportunity and a chance to build new skills. You don't have to be tied to it forever.

University of Maryland Global Campus
Career Development Office
Dr. Francine Blume Ph.D.: Skills that stand out depend on the field, but you always want to point out your tech skills, language skills and especially "soft" skills, such as communication and initiative.
For tech skills, you can demonstrate proficiency by citing certifications. For language skills, be as accurate as you can regarding proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking. For soft skills, make sure they are evident in the descriptions of your accomplishments and duties. Don't just say, "I have strong problem-solving skills and I learn fast." Anyone can say that, but you should quantify your experience and skills to demonstrate those soft skills.

Hassan Akmal: It's a time to pivot. More students - now than ever, are being forced to reskill, upskill, and explore new industries. The jobs of the future are being created now, and we will see much more career transitioning - a decrease in longevity, an increase in project-based work and micro internships, more side hustles, more careers over a 30 to 40 year runway, and finally, more careers at the same time.
Hassan Akmal: Transferable skills. Soft and hard. The soft skills are now referred to as "success skills" and include skills such as creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and problem solving, analytics skills, and people management.
Active learning, agility, resilience, stress tolerance and flexibility are additional skills in demand that graduates need to consider.
Hassan Akmal: Due to remote opportunities, the playing field has widely opened up. You can essentially work for almost any organization from where you are at the moment, at least for the time being. This actually increases the number of opportunities for you, as before, if you were out of state, you may have not been considered. That being said, there are still hot spots. They include: Top Metro Areas for Sociologists Source: 2019 Occupational Employment Statistics and 2018-28 Employment Projections, Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS.gov