How much does a career/technical education teacher make?
The median career/technical education teacher in the United States earns $66,270 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 25-2032.
Career/technical education teacher salary range
Pay for career/technical education teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $50,040 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $101,340. The average (mean) wage of $72,680 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 | $50,040 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $60,590 | |
| Median (50th) | $66,270 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,060 | |
| 90th percentile | $101,340 | 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 2025.
Career/technical education teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Career/technical education teachers earn the most in Washington at $101,180 a year, and the least in Montana at $55,190. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,180 | 3,460 |
| Connecticut | $100,810 | 1,910 |
| Massachusetts | $98,020 | 3,130 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 | 2,320 |
| Rhode Island | $81,820 | 90 |
| California | $80,620 | 3,260 |
| New York | $79,820 | 7,610 |
| Delaware | $79,230 | 560 |
| Ohio | $79,230 | 5,130 |
| Vermont | $79,220 | 220 |
| Georgia | $78,760 | 1,680 |
| Oregon | $78,380 | 750 |
| Maryland | $78,320 | 690 |
| Alaska | $78,130 | 170 |
| Maine | $78,050 | 170 |
| Illinois | $77,950 | 2,780 |
| Michigan | $77,400 | 1,800 |
| New Hampshire | $76,320 | 450 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,760 | 4,840 |
| Virginia | $75,580 | 3,500 |
| Wisconsin | $74,310 | 1,420 |
| Colorado | $72,750 | 1,250 |
| Utah | $72,380 | 730 |
| South Carolina | $72,120 | 1,150 |
| Minnesota | $71,650 | 880 |
| New Mexico | $66,750 | 100 |
| Texas | $64,610 | 32,250 |
| Nevada | $64,510 | 150 |
| Nebraska | $63,180 | 1,310 |
| Arizona | $62,980 | 660 |
| Wyoming | $62,570 | 210 |
| Florida | $62,140 | 6,820 |
| Arkansas | $61,780 | 1,000 |
| Tennessee | $61,700 | 2,940 |
| North Dakota | $61,500 | 640 |
| Louisiana | $61,300 | 1,530 |
| Kentucky | $61,130 | 330 |
| Idaho | $60,510 | 1,140 |
| Alabama | $59,470 | N/A |
| Missouri | $59,300 | 2,000 |
| Oklahoma | $58,800 | 1,170 |
| North Carolina | $58,600 | 2,650 |
| Kansas | $58,300 | 1,050 |
| Mississippi | $57,910 | 1,770 |
| West Virginia | $57,760 | 1,000 |
| Iowa | $57,660 | 640 |
| Indiana | $56,390 | 1,310 |
| South Dakota | $56,070 | 360 |
| Montana | $55,190 | 260 |
State median wages for career/technical education teachers, secondary school (SOC 25-2032), 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 0.4%). 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, $101,180) and the lowest (Montana, $55,190) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 111,420 people work as career/technical education teachers in the United States. At $66,270 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 $66,270.
What is the highest career/technical education teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of career/technical education teachers earn more than $101,340 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 $66,270. The average (mean) wage of $72,680 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 $66,270 a year, a career/technical education teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 111,420 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 $101,180 a year. Connecticut ($100,810) and Massachusetts ($98,020) 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 0.4% 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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