How much does a career/technical education teacher make?
The median career/technical education teacher in the United States earns $63,620 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all career/technical education teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 25-2023.
Career/technical education teacher salary range
Pay for career/technical education teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,090 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $98,430. The average (mean) wage of $68,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,090 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $55,920 | |
| Median (50th) | $63,620 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,270 | |
| 90th percentile | $98,430 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for career/technical education teachers, middle school (SOC 25-2023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Career/technical education teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Career/technical education teachers earn the most in Washington at $101,340 a year, and the least in Missouri at $44,630. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,340 | 640 |
| Rhode Island | $93,590 | 40 |
| Connecticut | $81,860 | 80 |
| Ohio | $80,910 | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $80,290 | 50 |
| Illinois | $79,950 | 160 |
| Minnesota | $78,300 | 170 |
| New York | $78,040 | 1,560 |
| Wisconsin | $76,640 | 630 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,170 | 930 |
| Georgia | $73,020 | 570 |
| Utah | $71,910 | 170 |
| Iowa | $66,080 | 100 |
| North Dakota | $64,390 | 70 |
| Colorado | $63,950 | 390 |
| Florida | $63,300 | 770 |
| Oregon | $63,010 | N/A |
| South Carolina | $62,590 | 150 |
| Virginia | $62,410 | 570 |
| Montana | $62,320 | 50 |
| Texas | $62,130 | 3,780 |
| Nebraska | $61,810 | 270 |
| Wyoming | $61,510 | 90 |
| Maryland | $60,580 | N/A |
| California | $59,780 | N/A |
| Tennessee | $59,660 | 100 |
| Arkansas | $59,080 | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $56,250 | 100 |
| Kansas | $55,910 | 70 |
| New Jersey | $54,060 | 40 |
| Louisiana | $53,550 | 120 |
| Indiana | $52,920 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $52,400 | 200 |
| North Carolina | $49,470 | 770 |
| Arizona | $48,630 | 60 |
| Alabama | $48,000 | 710 |
| South Dakota | $47,070 | 40 |
| Missouri | $44,630 | N/A |
State median wages for career/technical education teachers, middle school (SOC 25-2023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for career/technical education teachers
The BLS projects employment of career/technical education teachers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 16,600 jobs in 2025 moving toward 16,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for career/technical education teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a career/technical education teacher
The typical entry-level education for career/technical education teachers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a career/technical education teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $101,340) and the lowest (Missouri, $44,630) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 14,200 people work as career/technical education teachers in the United States. At $63,620 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Career/technical education teacher salary FAQ
How much does a career/technical education teacher make an hour?
Career/technical education teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $63,620.
What is the highest career/technical education teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of career/technical education teachers earn more than $98,430 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a career/technical education teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a career/technical education teacher is $63,620. The average (mean) wage of $68,690 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a career/technical education teacher a well paid job?
At $63,620 a year, a career/technical education teacher earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 14,200 people work as career/technical education teachers in the United States.
Which state pays career/technical education teachers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for career/technical education teachers at $101,340 a year. Rhode Island ($93,590) and Connecticut ($81,860) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a career/technical education teacher a good career?
Employment of career/technical education teachers is projected to shrink 0.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a career/technical education teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for career/technical education teachers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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