How much does a career/technical education teacher make?
The median career/technical education teacher in the United States earns $63,820 per year, about $30.68 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 2025. 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 $41,960 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $108,620. The average (mean) wage of $72,060 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 | $41,960 | $20.17 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,320 | $24.19 | |
| Median (50th) | $63,820 | $30.68 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $82,360 | $39.60 | |
| 90th percentile | $108,620 | $52.22 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1194), 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 Wisconsin at $82,620 a year, and the least in Kansas at $48,790. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $82,620 | 2,000 |
| South Carolina | $79,610 | 1,980 |
| Massachusetts | $78,780 | 1,660 |
| Washington | $77,530 | 3,610 |
| Alaska | $77,310 | 1,120 |
| Minnesota | $76,920 | 1,510 |
| California | $76,630 | 11,040 |
| New York | $75,170 | 5,250 |
| Wyoming | $74,210 | 360 |
| North Dakota | $73,570 | 430 |
| South Dakota | $72,940 | 350 |
| New Jersey | $72,440 | 2,590 |
| Colorado | $70,130 | 2,060 |
| Oklahoma | $67,060 | 3,040 |
| Oregon | $65,430 | 1,140 |
| Rhode Island | $65,210 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $65,200 | 300 |
| Texas | $65,180 | 12,620 |
| New Hampshire | $65,040 | 220 |
| Arizona | $64,930 | 2,190 |
| Michigan | $63,440 | 3,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,160 | 4,780 |
| Alabama | $62,580 | 2,350 |
| Illinois | $62,480 | 4,420 |
| Vermont | $62,450 | 210 |
| Delaware | $62,400 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $62,390 | 6,510 |
| Tennessee | $62,310 | 2,140 |
| Iowa | $62,270 | 1,170 |
| Maryland | $62,060 | 780 |
| Maine | $61,740 | 510 |
| Nevada | $61,740 | 950 |
| Kentucky | $61,080 | 1,560 |
| Ohio | $60,600 | 3,440 |
| Nebraska | $60,490 | 470 |
| New Mexico | $60,490 | 1,070 |
| Georgia | $60,320 | 3,920 |
| Florida | $59,990 | 7,600 |
| Idaho | $59,730 | 570 |
| Missouri | $59,640 | 1,630 |
| Connecticut | $59,420 | 1,130 |
| District of Columbia | $59,220 | N/A |
| Indiana | $57,820 | 2,250 |
| Virginia | $57,820 | 1,860 |
| Montana | $57,270 | 430 |
| Louisiana | $56,480 | 780 |
| Hawaii | $51,990 | 70 |
| Utah | $50,740 | 2,280 |
| Mississippi | $50,670 | 1,030 |
| Arkansas | $50,120 | 1,550 |
| Kansas | $48,790 | 1,160 |
State median wages for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1194), 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 0.3%). 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, $82,620) and the lowest (Kansas, $48,790) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 114,110 people work as career/technical education teachers in the United States. At $63,820 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?
The median hourly wage for a career/technical education teacher is $30.68. The middle half of career/technical education teachers earn between $24.19 and $39.60 per hour.
What is the highest career/technical education teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of career/technical education teachers earn more than $108,620 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 $63,820. The average (mean) wage of $72,060 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 $63,820 a year, a career/technical education teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 114,110 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 $82,620 a year. South Carolina ($79,610) and Massachusetts ($78,780) 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 0.3% 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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