Elon Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting initiative continues, with pending layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education set to release upwards of 1,500 employees across various departments, including management, loan administration, IT, educational policy and legal compliance. These workers will be entering an uncertain private sector job market for their specialized skills.
Following our analysis of the USAID workforce, Rhetorik identified a diverse mix of administrative functions and expertise among the U.S Department of Education’s employees. This includes approximately 3,000 staff members in the Washington D.C area and around 1,000 workers across 10 regional offices.
Most claim expertise in crafting and administering national education initiatives, enforcing compliance with federal funding regulations and civil rights, and expanding access to quality education.
Among the most prominent job functions within the department:
- Education and Academic Roles
- Legal
- General Management
- Information Technology
- Administration
Workforce Summary
Of the estimated 4,000 current Department of Education employees examined by Rhetorik’s AI agent, the “professional genome” of over 500m global self-reported resumes, the majority of workers are non-executive level professionals directly involved in policy execution and program management:
- Two-thirds are individual contributors or mid-level managers, handling on-the-ground operations such as school funding oversight, research, and educational program delivery. Many claim to oversee teams and ensure compliance with federal education standards.
Examples: Education Program Specialist and Policy Analyst, Civil Rights Investigator and Program Manager.
- 14% are directors, leading major education programs and grant distribution initiatives.
Examples: Director of Federal Student Aid Programs, Director of Special Education Programs.
- Only 2% are classified as “senior executive” level, highlighting the department’s highly operational workforce.
This distribution reveals the far-reaching consequences of the layoffs. With most affected employees serving as hands-on policy enforcers and program administrators, the cuts could impact the student financial aid system (both issuance and repayments), education initiatives, and overall accountability for school funding.
DoE competency and skill breakdown
Rhetorik’s AI analyzed thousands of Department of Education employees and uncovered key areas of expertise:
- Leadership and Team Management
- Consulting and Advisory services
- Research Methods
- Project Management
- Communication
- Special Education
While the layoffs pose challenges for federal education programs, they also create opportunities for businesses, nonprofits, and state governments. Employers seeking expertise in education policy, financial aid management, data analytics, legal compliance, and ed-tech innovation now have access to a highly skilled workforce ready to bring their talents to new sectors.
The future of the Department of Education remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: these professionals will play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of education, whether in government, private industry, or nonprofit leadership.
For more information on Rhetorik’s Neuron360 global professional profiles database, contact Rhetorik, @Francesca Tuohy-Farmer
