NEW JERSEY – New Jersey continues to face teacher shortages in critical subjects such as multilingual learning and computer science, even as overall workforce levels remain steady, according to a new report from the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University–New Brunswick.
The report, titled New Jersey’s Teacher Workforce: 2025 Legislative Report, provides a decade-long analysis of teacher supply, exits, and workforce challenges, drawing on data from the New Jersey Statewide Data System.
“New Jersey’s overall teacher workforce looks steady on the surface, but rising exits and shortages in key subjects signal potential challenges when we look at the more granular level,” said Stephanie Walsh, director of the data system and assistant director of the Heldrich Center.
Using data from the 2013–2014 through 2023–2024 academic years, the study examines teacher exits, workforce projections, and the balance of teacher supply and demand. It also explores the prevalence of supplemental employment held by teachers outside the education sector.
Among the report’s key findings:
- Supplemental employment: Roughly 16% to 18% of teachers hold outside jobs, typically short-term or low-paying, earning about 6% less in teaching salaries than peers, though outside earnings help offset that gap.
- Workforce stability: The state’s teacher workforce has remained stable at around 117,500 teachers, with year-over-year changes of about 1%.
- Subject shifts: The number of math and science teachers declined by 9%, while resource program teachers increased by nearly 20%.
- Workforce composition: Between 76% and 77% of teachers are female, and 82% to 84% are white.
- Rising exits: Teacher departures, particularly due to retirements and resignations, have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Certification trends: The ratio of newly certified teachers to those permanently exiting has declined over time.
- Critical shortages: Multilingual learning and computer science face high or rising student-to-teacher ratios.
“The data show that without action, critical areas like multilingual learning and computer science may face widening gaps,” Walsh said.
The report, required by the New Jersey Legislature, is intended to inform state policymakers about ongoing teacher workforce trends and areas of concern as the state seeks to strengthen educator recruitment and retention.
