New Report Finds Educators Prioritize Leadership, Safety, and Student Support Over Pay

New national data shows school professionals are prioritizing sustainable working conditions when choosing whether to stay in the field

As conversations around educator pay continue nationwide, a new national survey of 1,000 U.S. school professionals shows that salary is only part of what is shaping education career decisions: work-life balance (29.4%) and job stability (29.1%) emerged as the top factors respondents say matter most when choosing an education job.

The findings come from the 2026 School Workforce Trends Report by Soliant Health, a survey of educators and school-based specialists designed to better understand what today’s school professionals need in order to stay, succeed, and build sustainable careers in education.

Key Findings: Educators Want Sustainable Careers

• Work-life balance (29.4%) and job stability (29.1%) were the top factors respondents selected when choosing an education job.

• Compensation/salary (19.7%) remained an important consideration, but ranked below other leading job-choice factors including school culture (25.5%), ability to make a meaningful impact (25.5%), and strong leadership support (24.5%).

• School professionals were about 50% more likely to prioritize work-life balance than compensation when considering a job.

• When asked what would most improve their ability to do their job effectively, respondents were more likely to prioritize stronger leadership support (18.1%), better mental health resources for students (17.2%), and improved safety measures (17.1%) than increased compensation (16.5%).

What This Means for Retention and Hiring

• Over 1 in 4 (28.9%) school professionals say they have considered leaving their role in the past year.

• Just 12.8% say they plan to stay in education until retirement.

• The findings suggest that improving retention may require a fuller approach: one that includes fair compensation, but also stronger day-to-day conditions that make education careers feel more sustainable.

In a competitive hiring environment, districts may be better positioned when they can offer not only pay, but also the stability, support, and work-life balance school professionals are clearly looking for.

“Compensation remains a critical part of the conversation, and school professionals deserve to be paid in a way that reflects the value of their work,” said Lesley Slaughter, Senior Vice President at Soliant. “What this data also shows is that pay alone may not be enough to keep people in the field. Educators are looking for roles that are sustainable in every sense: financially, professionally, and personally. If schools want to attract and retain strong talent, that full picture matters.”

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Learn more about Soliant’s school staffing solutions and explore the full report at www.soliant.com/2026-school-workforce-trends-report.

About the Report: The Soliant 2026 School Workforce Trends Report is based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. school employees conducted by Opinion Matters between March 13–24, 2026. Respondents included instructional staff, therapists, and school support professionals across age groups and states.

About Soliant Health: Soliant is a leader in human capital solutions within the education and healthcare sectors. It operates offices in Atlanta, Tampa, Jacksonville, Houston, San Diego, and Greenville. The company identifies and recruits highly skilled healthcare professionals across a wide range of specialties and connects them with healthcare providers in the education, nursing, and pharmacy segments, primarily on a temporary basis. For more information, visit soliant.com.