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Education and libraries

Career/technical education teachers, secondary school

Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.

Median pay

$66,270

Growth to 2035

0%

little or no change

Openings a year

6,400

Time to qualify*

2 years

* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.

Pay

Career/technical education teachers, secondary school

$66,27010% earn under $50,040 · middle half $60,590–$80,060 · top 10% over $101,340
Bar: middle 50% of workers. Line: 10th to 90th percentile. Dot: median. BLS OEWS, May 2025, national.

Getting in

Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
On-the-job training
None
Prior experience
Less than 5 years

Calculate your switch to career/technical education teachers, secondary school

What the work is like

Career/technical education teachers, secondary school

Dealing with the public

Rarely
Constantly

Unpleasant or angry people

Rarely
Constantly

Time pressure

Rarely
Constantly

Cost of a mistake

Minor
Severe

Freedom to make decisions

Little
A lot

Repeating the same tasks

Rarely
Constantly

Time sitting

Rarely
Constantly

Time standing

Rarely
Constantly

Outdoors in all weather

Rarely
Constantly

Hazardous conditions

Rarely
Constantly

Exposure to disease

Rarely
Constantly

Career/technical education teachers, secondary school: 80% usually work over 40 hours a week

Average worker ratings, 1 to 5. O*NET 31.0 work context survey.

Core tasks

Also called: Agricultural Education Teacher · Auto Technology Instructor (Automotive Technology Instructor) · Career and Technical Education Teacher (CTE Teacher) · Cosmetology Teacher · Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher (FACS Teacher) · Instructor · Teacher · Technology Education Teacher

Outlook and AI

Career/technical education teachers, secondary school held 110,500 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 110,100 by 2035 (0%, little or no change; all jobs: +3.5%).

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