There are currently an estimated 122,500 music teachers in the United States. The music teacher job market is expected to grow by 12.0% between 2016 and 2026.

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 18,500 music teachers. That number is based on 14,700 additional music teachers, and the retirement of 3,800 existing 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 California, New York, Texas

Music Teacher job market by state

State Name Employed Music Teachers
California 11,010
New York 10,940
Texas 6,150
Pennsylvania 5,540
Massachusetts 5,190
Ohio 4,470
Florida 3,560
North Carolina 3,150
Illinois 3,130
Virginia 2,890
Washington 2,520
Michigan 2,320
New Jersey 2,230
Indiana 2,040
Colorado 1,890
Wisconsin 1,870
Minnesota 1,740
Arizona 1,730
Maryland 1,730
Utah 1,630
Tennessee 1,620
Missouri 1,610
Georgia 1,490
Oregon 1,180
Connecticut 1,140
Iowa 1,050
Kentucky 910
Oklahoma 820
South Carolina 810
Alabama 710
Rhode Island 700
West Virginia 640
Mississippi 620
New Hampshire 620
Kansas 560
Puerto Rico 500
Arkansas 480
District of Columbia 470
Louisiana 460
Nebraska 440
Vermont 420
Nevada 400
Maine 310
Idaho 310
Hawaii 310
Delaware 290
Montana 230
South Dakota 200
North Dakota 190
Wyoming 180
New Mexico 170