Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School earn a median of $66,270 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 0.4% through 2035, with about 6,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 25-2032
- Educational Instruction and Library
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School in four numbers
- Median pay
- $66,270a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $50KTop 10% $101K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -0.4%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−0.4%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −0.4% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 6,400110,500 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025110.5K
- Projected 2035110.1K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 110.5K Projected 2035 110.1K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school7.4%
- Certificate8.1%
- Associate's13.1%
- Bachelor's40.1%
- Post-bacc certificate4.3%
- Master's22.6%
Highest education held by career/technical education teachers, secondary school Segment Value High school 7.4% Certificate 8.1% Associate's 13.1% Bachelor's 40.1% Post-bacc certificate 4.3% Master's 22.6%
Also advertised as: Agricultural Education Teacher, Auto Technology Instructor (Automotive Technology Instructor), Career and Technical Education Teacher (CTE Teacher), Cosmetology Teacher, Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher (FACS Teacher), Instructor.
Pay
How much do Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School make?
Every career/technical education teacher, secondary school in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$66,270
Middle half earn $60,590 to $80,060
- 10th
- $50,040
- 25th
- $60,590
- 75th
- $80,060
- 90th
- $101,340
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $50,040 |
| 25th | $60,590 |
| Median | $66,270 |
| 75th | $80,060 |
| 90th | $101,340 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $66,270
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $72,680
- People employed
- 111,420
Versus all US occupations
At $66,270, Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School earn 30% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,290 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $68,270, this is 3% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $101,340 or more while the bottom 10% earn $50,040, a gap of 2.0×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 41% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
Washington posts the highest raw median ($101,180), but once local prices are taken into account Connecticut leads at $97,298 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Washington | $101,180 | $94,549 | 3,460 |
| 2Connecticut | $100,810 | $97,298 | 1,910 |
| 3Massachusetts | $98,020 | $92,684 | 3,130 |
| 4New Jersey | $83,770 | $76,991 | 2,320 |
| 5Rhode Island | $81,820 | $79,996 | 90 |
| 6California | $80,620 | $72,814 | 3,260 |
| 7New York | $79,820 | $73,962 | 7,610 |
| 8Delaware | $79,230 | $79,382 | 560 |
| 9Ohio | $79,230 | $85,401 | 5,130 |
| 10Vermont | $79,220 | $80,871 | 220 |
Job outlook
Is Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -0.4% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | −0.4% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School to change -0.4% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 400 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 6,400 openings are projected each year, 5.8% of the 110,500 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of career and technical education teachers is projected to decline 0 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 15,500 openings for career and technical education teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Continued interest in career and technical education programs is likely to be tempered as schools continue to require students to take more academic classes and the number of students in middle and high schools is expected to decline.
Getting in
How to become a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School
Career and technical education teachers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and work experience in the subject they teach. Public schools may require a state-issued teaching certification or license.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
Less than 5 years
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as career/technical education teachers, secondary school.
- Bachelor's Degree40.1%
- Master's Degree22.6%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree13.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate8.1%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)7.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 40.1% |
| Master's Degree | 22.6% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 13.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 8.1% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 7.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School do?
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.
Career and technical education (CTE) teachers provide training in subjects such as auto repair, cosmetology, and culinary arts. They teach vocational and technical content to give students the skills and knowledge necessary to enter an occupation.
Day-to-day tasks
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Prepare materials and classroom for class activities.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
- Guide and counsel students with adjustments, academic problems, or special academic interests.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Keep informed about trends in education and subject matter specialties.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Career and technical education teachers in middle and high schools generally work during school hours. They may meet with parents, students, and school staff before and after classes.
Some career and technical education teachers, especially those in postsecondary schools, teach courses and develop lesson plans during evening hours and on weekends.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.1
- Speaking4.1
- Learning Strategies4.1
- Writing4.0
- Critical Thinking4.0
- Monitoring4.0
- Active Learning3.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.1 |
| Speaking | 4.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 4.1 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 4.0 |
| Monitoring | 4.0 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Instructing4.5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0
- Coordination3.9
- Service Orientation3.8
- Complex Problem Solving3.8
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8
- Time Management3.6
- Persuasion3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.5 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.0 |
| Coordination | 3.9 |
| Service Orientation | 3.8 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.8 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.8 |
| Time Management | 3.6 |
| Persuasion | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer based training software
- Desktop communications software
- Information retrieval or search software
- Internet browser software
- Multi-media educational software
- Optical character reader OCR or scanning software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 3 |
| Social | 7 |
| Enterprising | 3 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Social7.0
- Conventional3.9
- Artistic3.5
- Investigative3.4
- Realistic2.9
- Enterprising2.5
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School
O*NET related occupations
- Educational Instruction and Library
Career/Technical Education Teacher, Postsecondary
$63,820median a year
Most earn $42K to $109K
−0.3%Bachelor's - Educational Instruction and Library
Career/Technical Education Teacher, Middle School
$65,030median a year
Most earn $49K to $102K
−0.5%Bachelor's - Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School
$74,260median a year
Most earn $50K to $109K
−0.2%Bachelor's - Educational Instruction and Library
- Educational Instruction and Library
More educational instruction and library careers
Median annual pay, with career/technical education teachers, secondary school highlighted
- Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary$80,250
- Instructional Coordinator$77,440
- Special Education Teacher, Secondary School$74,260
- Librarian$68,270
- Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School$66,270
- Kindergarten Teacher$62,680
- Library Technician$44,580
- Tutor$43,350
- Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education$38,140
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Nursing Instructor and Teacher, Postsecondary | $80,250 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $77,440 |
| Special Education Teacher, Secondary School | $74,260 |
| Librarian | $68,270 |
| Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School | $66,270 |
| Kindergarten Teacher | $62,680 |
| Library Technician | $44,580 |
| Tutor | $43,350 |
| Preschool Teacher, Except Special Education | $38,140 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School appears on
Questions
Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School: frequently asked questions
How much do Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School make?
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School earn a median of $66,270 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 30% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. The middle half earn between $60,590 and $80,060. The top 10% earn $101,340 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. Employers typically expect less than 5 years of related work experience first. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 40.1% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 0.4% over 2025–2035, a loss of 400 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 6,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School do?
Career and technical education (CTE) teachers provide training in subjects such as auto repair, cosmetology, and culinary arts. A core O*NET task: instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations. Employers most often ask for Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic mail software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School the most?
The highest state medians for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School are Washington ($101,180), Connecticut ($100,810), Massachusetts ($98,020) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Connecticut moves to the top at $97,298.
What personality type suits a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School?
O*NET scores Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School highest on the Social, Conventional and Artistic interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ENFJ, ESFP. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.