How much does a career/technical education teacher make?
The median career/technical education teacher in the United States earns $65,030 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 2025. 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 $49,200 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $101,890. The average (mean) wage of $71,590 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 | $49,200 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $58,690 | |
| Median (50th) | $65,030 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $79,990 | |
| 90th percentile | $101,890 | 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 2025.
Career/technical education teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Career/technical education teachers earn the most in Washington at $103,290 a year, and the least in North Dakota at $46,530. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $103,290 | 720 |
| Rhode Island | $97,240 | 50 |
| Connecticut | $95,680 | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $93,260 | N/A |
| Utah | $86,890 | N/A |
| Ohio | $86,560 | 590 |
| New York | $86,450 | 1,930 |
| Maryland | $84,160 | 210 |
| Minnesota | $81,460 | 160 |
| Illinois | $80,700 | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,980 | 690 |
| Wisconsin | $76,860 | 570 |
| Georgia | $73,020 | 560 |
| New Jersey | $68,280 | N/A |
| Virginia | $67,460 | 640 |
| Colorado | $66,310 | 470 |
| Iowa | $63,360 | N/A |
| Texas | $63,330 | 5,230 |
| Wyoming | $62,710 | 100 |
| Nebraska | $62,580 | 370 |
| South Carolina | $62,160 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $61,950 | 110 |
| Arkansas | $60,760 | 90 |
| Michigan | $60,650 | N/A |
| Florida | $58,760 | 610 |
| Kansas | $58,560 | 30 |
| Alabama | $58,410 | 640 |
| Louisiana | $56,440 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $55,210 | 270 |
| Indiana | $54,960 | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $54,090 | 110 |
| Missouri | $52,630 | 240 |
| North Carolina | $52,270 | 760 |
| North Dakota | $46,530 | 220 |
State median wages for career/technical education teachers, middle school (SOC 25-2023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. 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, $103,290) and the lowest (North Dakota, $46,530) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 16,870 people work as career/technical education teachers in the United States. At $65,030 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 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 $65,030.
What is the highest career/technical education teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of career/technical education teachers earn more than $101,890 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 $65,030. The average (mean) wage of $71,590 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 $65,030 a year, a career/technical education teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 16,870 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 $103,290 a year. Rhode Island ($97,240) and Connecticut ($95,680) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
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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