Jobs
Public-School Jobs Are Approaching Their Pre-Pandemic Peak
- Local education added 12,000 jobs in March to 7.93 million
- Latest increase in payrolls was smallest since September
An empty elementary school classroom in Louisville, Kentucky.
Photographer: Jon Cherry/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
US local-government education payrolls inched closer to their pre-pandemic peak in March, extending a rebound that’s trailed the broader economy’s recovery.
Localities added education jobs for a sixth straight month, with a gain of 12,000 to around 7.93 million, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Friday. While the latest jump was the smallest since September, it brings employment to within about 1.6% of February 2020 levels. Meanwhile, private-sector payrolls have surpassed their pre-pandemic mark by 2.7%.