Job prospects Primary School Teacher in British Columbia

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "primary school teacher" in British Columbia or across Canada.

Job opportunities in British Columbia

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be good for Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221) in British Columbia for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment decline will lead to the loss of some positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

Persistent demand for teaching occupations remains at all levels of education in British Columbia. Some schools in the province have been experiencing a shortage of instructors.

Investments in public school services around the province will improve employment opportunities in the educational services sector.

In 2024, the government announced school expansion projects in the communities of Surrey, Burnaby, Sooke, Mission, Richmond, Coquitlam and Pitt Meadows, and other communities.

Here are some key facts about Elementary school and kindergarten teachers in British Columbia:

• Approximately 35,700 people work in this occupation.
• Elementary school and kindergarten teachers mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): more than 95%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 81% compared to 78% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 19% compared to 22% for all occupations
• 84% of elementary school and kindergarten teachers work all year, while 16% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 48 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 17% compared to 52% for all occupations
  • Women: 83% compared to 48% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 52% compared to 22% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 43% compared to 12% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in British Columbia by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as a "primary school teacher" Elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221) or across Canada.

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