How much does a career/technical education teacher make?
The median career/technical education teacher in the United States earns $63,910 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 25-2032.
Career/technical education teacher salary range
Pay for career/technical education teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,840 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $98,720. The average (mean) wage of $70,550 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 | $48,840 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,840 | |
| Median (50th) | $63,910 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,650 | |
| 90th percentile | $98,720 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for career/technical education teachers, secondary school (SOC 25-2032), 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 $98,580 a year, and the least in Arizona at $54,130. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $98,580 | 3,330 |
| Connecticut | $97,020 | 1,760 |
| District of Columbia | $96,710 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $92,600 | 2,890 |
| Alabama | $85,400 | 120 |
| California | $81,860 | 3,420 |
| New Jersey | $80,860 | 2,370 |
| Maryland | $79,930 | 450 |
| New York | $79,800 | 6,260 |
| Oregon | $79,720 | 340 |
| Rhode Island | $78,780 | 180 |
| Delaware | $76,930 | 560 |
| Missouri | $76,240 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $76,210 | 3,310 |
| Ohio | $76,120 | 4,960 |
| Vermont | $76,030 | 240 |
| Alaska | $75,200 | 200 |
| Illinois | $75,090 | 2,300 |
| Michigan | $73,900 | 1,500 |
| New Hampshire | $72,820 | 430 |
| New Mexico | $70,710 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $66,820 | 1,630 |
| Virginia | $65,460 | 3,600 |
| Utah | $65,240 | 870 |
| Minnesota | $65,070 | 870 |
| Georgia | $65,060 | 3,740 |
| Colorado | $62,940 | 1,010 |
| Texas | $62,540 | 24,700 |
| Nebraska | $62,320 | 1,420 |
| Idaho | $62,280 | 720 |
| Maine | $62,030 | 200 |
| South Carolina | $61,980 | 1,050 |
| Nevada | $61,900 | 130 |
| Wyoming | $61,580 | 230 |
| Florida | $61,290 | 10,770 |
| Indiana | $60,500 | 910 |
| Kentucky | $60,210 | 320 |
| North Dakota | $60,160 | 500 |
| Arkansas | $60,060 | 1,050 |
| Montana | $59,970 | 320 |
| Louisiana | $59,500 | 1,530 |
| Tennessee | $59,460 | 2,920 |
| Iowa | $59,420 | 910 |
| Oklahoma | $58,640 | 1,030 |
| Kansas | $57,910 | 750 |
| North Carolina | $57,380 | 3,430 |
| Mississippi | $56,990 | 1,730 |
| West Virginia | $56,060 | 780 |
| South Dakota | $54,220 | 380 |
| Arizona | $54,130 | 590 |
State median wages for career/technical education teachers, secondary school (SOC 25-2032), 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 0.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 110,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 110,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,400 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, $98,580) and the lowest (Arizona, $54,130) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 104,450 people work as career/technical education teachers in the United States. At $63,910 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 $63,910.
What is the highest career/technical education teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of career/technical education teachers earn more than $98,720 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 $63,910. The average (mean) wage of $70,550 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 $63,910 a year, a career/technical education teacher earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 104,450 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 $98,580 a year. Connecticut ($97,020) and District of Columbia ($96,710) 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 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,400 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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