Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
Career and technical education teachers instruct students in various technical and vocational subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts.
Is career/technical education teachers, secondary school a good career?
It scores 13/100 and ranks #597 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays above the U.S. median wage ($66,270)
Possible tradeoffs
- Employment is projected to decline (-1.8% through 2034)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
- Often needs prior experience (less than 5 years)
What career/technical education teachers, secondary school earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. career/technical education teachers, secondary school earn between $60,590 and $80,060 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live career/technical education teachers, secondary school jobs
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Career and technical education teachers generally need a bachelor’s degree in the field they teach, such as agriculture, engineering, or computer and information technology.
All states require prospective career and technical education teachers in public schools to complete a period of fieldwork, called a student-teaching program, in which they work with a mentor teacher and get experience teaching students in a classroom.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
States may require career and technical education teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified. Requirements for certification or licensure vary by state, but generally involve the following:
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average
- Completion of a student-teaching program
- Passing a background check
- Passing a general teaching certification test, as well as a test that demonstrates their knowledge of the subject they will teach.
Career and technical education teachers who prepare students for an occupation that requires a license or certification may need to have and maintain the same credential. For example, career and technical education teachers who teach welding may need to have certification in welding. In addition, teachers may be required to complete annual professional development courses to maintain their license or certification.
Some states offer an alternative route to certification or licensure for prospective teachers who have a bachelor’s degree or work experience in their field but lack the education courses required for certification. Alternative programs typically cover teaching methods, development of lesson plans, and classroom management.
Advancement
Experienced teachers may advance to become mentors or lead teachers, helping less experienced teachers to improve their teaching skills.
Teachers may become school counselors, instructional coordinators, or principals. These positions generally require additional education, an advanced degree, or certification. An advanced degree in education administration or leadership may be helpful.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Career and technical education teachers must explain concepts in terms that students can understand.
Organizational skills. Career and technical education teachers must coordinate their time and teaching materials.
Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult. Teachers must be even-tempered with students to develop a positive learning environment.
Resourcefulness. Teachers need to create different ways of presenting information and demonstrating tasks so that all students learn the material.
Related occupations
How much do career/technical education teachers, secondary school make?
The national median wage is $66,270 a year, with the middle half earning between $60,590 and $80,060 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is career/technical education teachers, secondary school a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 13 of 100 and ranks #597 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -1.8% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a career/technical education teachers, secondary school?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, usually with less than 5 years.
Where do career/technical education teachers, secondary school earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($101,180). Local pay for every state and metro is below.