Snapshot: Are superintendents enjoying their jobs?

Between 2023 and 2025, stress levels among superintendents have declined. At the same time, a smaller percentage say they enjoy their jobs.

According to the latest available data published by the RAND Corporation, only 53% of superintendents agree that the stress and disappointments of the job are worth it, down from 59% in both 2023 and 2024.

The figures change dramatically when comparing large and small districts. Seventy-two percent of large district superintendents have positive feelings toward their jobs, compared to 74% the year prior.

As for small district superintendents, just 47% enjoy their jobs, compared to 57% in 2024.

Meanwhile, superintendents’ stress levels are improving, despite mixed feelings about their jobs. This is especially true among small district leaders. Below is a ranking of superintendents’ current top stressors compared to 2024.

1. District budget: 68% (2025) vs. 71% (2024)
2. Students’ mental health: 61% (2025) vs. 68% (2024)
3. Staffing shortages: 49% (2025) vs. 65% (2024)
4. Educators’ mental health: 47% (2025) vs. 61% (2024)
5. Intrusion of political issues and opinions: 61% (2025) vs. 60% (2024)
6. Students’ academic performance: 48% (2025) vs. 48% (2024)
7. State accountability requirements: 34% (2025) vs. 44% (2024)
8. Quality of instruction: 29% (2025) vs. 41% (2024)
9. Community relations: 18% (2025) vs. 35% (2024)
10. Physical safety in our schools: 18% (2025) vs. 30% (2024)
11. School board relations/pressure: 30% (2025) vs. 26% (2024)
12. Teachers’ union relations: 10% (2025) vs. 15% (2024)
13. Community violence: 2% (2025) vs. 8% (2024)

Superintendents were also asked which activities take up most of their time in 2025. Their top three answers were: district budgeting (68%), students’ mental health (61%) and staffing shortages (49%), which align with their top-ranked job stressors.

However, superintendents would rather be spending their time on instruction and gathering data about their schools, the research adds. Instead, they’re obligated to manage school facility operations, communicate with school board members, manage finances and communicate with politicians and the media, all of which they wish to spend less time on.

For a more detailed look at the data, view the full report here.

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