Where are ESL teachers in demand in the USA?
In the USA, the demand for ESL teachers is particularly high in states with large immigrant and refugee populations. According to a report by the National Center for Education Statistics, about one-third of U.S. schools offering bilingual or ESL programs face challenges in staffing these positions. Areas with higher concentrations of non-English speaking populations, such as California, Texas, New York, and Florida, often experience a greater need for ESL teachers. This trend suggests a growing opportunity for TESOL qualified teachers in the United States, with the demand expected to rise further in the coming years, offering ample opportunities for educators but presenting challenges for schools to find qualified staff.
Table of Contents
Which US States have the strongest demand for ESL Teachers?
How much can I earn teaching ESL in the US?
Where to look for ESL jobs in the US?
What are the requirements for teaching ESL in the US?
Which US States have the strongest demand for ESL Teachers?
There is a shortage of TESOL qualified teachers in almost every state in the country, although the biggest shortfalls are found in states where the immigrant and refugee populations are particularly high, such as California, Florida, Texas, New York, and Illinois. The number of vacant positions is hard to pinpoint exactly, but some sources quote that California has at least two thousand positions vacant and others such as New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas, Illinois, and Pennsylvania have between one and two thousand ESL teaching jobs unfilled.
How much can I earn teaching ESL in the US?
The salary of an ESL teacher in the US varies significantly based on factors such as the educational setting, location, and level of experience. In general, ESL teaching positions at universities typically offer higher salaries compared to those in pre-school or kindergarten settings. Additionally, there is a notable variation in average salaries across different states. For instance, in states like Indiana, Missouri, and Arkansas, the average annual salary for a TESOL qualified teacher is around $35,000. In contrast, states with higher living costs, such as New York, Connecticut, and Washington, offer higher average salaries, around $65,000 per year. These figures reflect a broad range, and actual earnings can vary based on specific job roles, qualifications, and local demand for ESL teachers.
Where to look for ESL jobs in the US?
In terms of location you could probably stick a pin in a map of the US and find a vacant ESL job as there are so many positions unfilled across the country. To tackle this shortage some states have resorted to employing any teacher they can find, whether they are qualified or experienced in ESL or not. This approach has done little to ease the problem as unsuitable teachers rarely last long in an environment where it is necessary to be fully engaged at all times. In terms of finding vacant positions there are many websites that advertise ESL jobs in the US, including:
What are the requirements for teaching ESL in the US?
The exact requirements expected for any particular job will vary depending on the state and the individual employer. However, you will typically need to have a bachelor's degree, a TESOL certification and in many cases previous classroom experience. For this type of job we would recommend completing the highest level of TESOL you can, as this will not only look good to potential employers but will also give you the necessary skills and knowledge required to do the very best job for your students.
Take a look at our most popular option, the 120-hour online TESOL certification, for an insight into what a TESOL course entails.
We would also recommend you take a look at our highest level course, the 370-hour Diploma in TESOL, for an idea of what an advanced TESOL course looks like.
ITTT also runs a very popular in-class TESOL certification course at our New York training center.
