Software Developer
Median wage · national
$135,980
Range: $105K – $172K
Employed
1.7M
Openings/yr
115K
Typically: bachelor's degree
TRADES
Career/Technical Education Teachers
Career/Technical Education Teachers earn $63,820 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $50,320 and $82,360. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Career/Technical Education Teachers
Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education.
- Median Wage
- $63,820
- Employed Nationally
- 114K
- Openings / Year
- 8,800
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Accounting Teacher
Adjunct Instructor
Adult Education Instructor
Adult Education Teacher
After School Instructor
How Much Do Career/Technical Education Teachers Make?
Career/Technical Education Teachers earn $63,820 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,320 and $82,360. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$63,820
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$50K–$82K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$50,320
Entry-level
$63,820
Median
$82,360
Experienced
The mean wage for this occupation is $72,060, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
What Do Career/Technical Education Teachers Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Career/Technical Education Teachers roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress, provide feedback, and make suggestions for improvement.
- Present lectures and conduct discussions to increase students' knowledge and competence using visual aids, such as graphs, charts, videotapes, and slides.
- Supervise and monitor students' use of tools and equipment.
- Administer oral, written, or performance tests to measure progress and to evaluate training effectiveness.
- Provide individualized instruction and tutorial or remedial instruction.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Learning Strategies
Instructing
Active Listening
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Who Thrives Here
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
I
Investigative
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Where Do Career/Technical Education Teachers Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Career/Technical Education Teachers?
The BLS projects +0.7% employment change for Career/Technical Education Teachers through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 8,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +0.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Slower than average.
8,800
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
114K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Career/Technical Education Teachers professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $63,820 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 12,150 | $63,730 | -0.1% |
| 2 | California | 9,110 | $75,130 | +17.7% |
| 3 | North Carolina | 7,660 | $60,590 | -5.1% |
| 4 | Florida | 7,300 | $52,020 | -18.5% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 4,890 | $60,360 | -5.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Career/Technical Education Teachers positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 6 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Teaching Specific Subjects | 40,101 | $51,389 | 1,276 |
| 2 | Ground Transportation | 24,115 | — | 308 |
| 3 | Computer Software & Media | 14,684 | $58,894 | 726 |
| 4 | Fire Protection | 13,533 | $86,436 | 488 |
| 5 | Agricultural Mechanization | 1,402 | $71,278 | 90 |
| 6 | Agricultural and Domestic Animal | 1,217 | $40,334 | 75 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Career/Technical Education Teachers
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 2 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 4 | University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA | 92 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| 5 | Rice University Houston, TX | 91 | $13,370 | $89,718 |
| 6 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA | 91 | $12,116 | $102,772 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Career/Technical Education Teachers, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Career/Technical Education Teachers pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Career/Technical Education Teachers Pros & Cons
The data on Career/Technical Education Teachers shows 1 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $63,820 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
CONS
- Slow job growth At +0.7% projected growth, this career lags the national average. Limited expansion means stiffer competition for openings that do appear.
- Limited annual openings With only 8,800 openings per year relative to field size, competition for available positions is intense. Networking and experience matter more here than in higher-turnover fields.
Career/Technical Education Teachers Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Career/Technical Education Teachers professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Career/Technical Education Teachers is $63,820, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,320 and $82,360. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Career/Technical Education Teachers a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $63,820 median, though slow job growth means most openings come from workers leaving the field rather than new positions being created. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Career/Technical Education Teachers?
Most Career/Technical Education Teachers positions require a bachelor's degree as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Teaching Specific Subjects are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Career/Technical Education Teachers?
The BLS projects +0.7% employment change for Career/Technical Education Teachers through 2034, slower than average compared to all occupations. About 8,800 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 114K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Career/Technical Education Teachers professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Career/Technical Education Teachers roles: Learning Strategies, Instructing, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, and Speaking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
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- High paying careers
- Associate degree
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- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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