How much does a career/technical education teacher make?
The median career/technical education teacher in the United States earns $61,490 per year, about $29.56 an hour. 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 25-1194.
Career/technical education teacher salary range
Pay for career/technical education teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,680 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $106,580. The average (mean) wage of $68,710 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,680 | $18.59 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,030 | $23.09 | |
| Median (50th) | $61,490 | $29.56 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,070 | $38.50 | |
| 90th percentile | $106,580 | $51.24 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1194), 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 Wisconsin at $82,980 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $47,460. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $82,980 | 2,000 |
| New Hampshire | $81,330 | 240 |
| Oregon | $79,290 | 1,130 |
| New York | $76,980 | 4,690 |
| Massachusetts | $76,610 | 1,680 |
| Minnesota | $75,710 | 1,340 |
| California | $75,130 | 9,110 |
| South Carolina | $74,710 | 1,220 |
| New Jersey | $68,080 | 2,620 |
| Washington | $67,430 | 3,610 |
| Alaska | $67,110 | 350 |
| Vermont | $64,560 | 210 |
| North Dakota | $64,500 | 370 |
| South Dakota | $64,330 | 290 |
| Oklahoma | $64,310 | 2,890 |
| Texas | $63,730 | 12,150 |
| Rhode Island | $63,100 | 300 |
| Ohio | $62,430 | 4,050 |
| Michigan | $62,230 | 3,460 |
| Missouri | $62,190 | 1,780 |
| Arizona | $62,100 | 2,250 |
| Maine | $61,440 | 500 |
| New Mexico | $61,240 | 640 |
| Indiana | $61,180 | 2,210 |
| Delaware | $60,950 | 250 |
| Nebraska | $60,940 | 460 |
| Nevada | $60,930 | 870 |
| Iowa | $60,680 | 1,040 |
| North Carolina | $60,590 | 7,660 |
| Colorado | $60,580 | 1,350 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,360 | 4,890 |
| Montana | $59,960 | 430 |
| Tennessee | $59,590 | 2,300 |
| West Virginia | $59,570 | 360 |
| Illinois | $59,480 | 4,590 |
| Maryland | $58,990 | 880 |
| Alabama | $57,730 | 1,850 |
| Connecticut | $56,930 | 920 |
| District of Columbia | $56,630 | 50 |
| Virginia | $56,140 | 2,580 |
| Hawaii | $54,990 | 60 |
| Georgia | $52,040 | 4,010 |
| Florida | $52,020 | 7,300 |
| Mississippi | $50,510 | 1,260 |
| Wyoming | $50,250 | 330 |
| Utah | $49,850 | 2,800 |
| Louisiana | $49,310 | 620 |
| Kansas | $49,170 | 1,100 |
| Idaho | $49,120 | 560 |
| Kentucky | $48,630 | 1,820 |
| Arkansas | $47,460 | 1,730 |
State median wages for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1194), 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 0.3%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 123,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 122,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 8,000 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 (Wisconsin, $82,980) and the lowest (Arkansas, $47,460) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 111,150 people work as career/technical education teachers in the United States. At $61,490 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?
The median hourly wage for a career/technical education teacher is $29.56. The middle half of career/technical education teachers earn between $23.09 and $38.50 per hour.
What is the highest career/technical education teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of career/technical education teachers earn more than $106,580 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 $61,490. The average (mean) wage of $68,710 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 $61,490 a year, a career/technical education teacher earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 111,150 people work as career/technical education teachers in the United States.
Which state pays career/technical education teachers the most?
Wisconsin has the highest median salary for career/technical education teachers at $82,980 a year. New Hampshire ($81,330) and Oregon ($79,290) 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 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 8,000 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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