Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.
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
Median pay (national)
$63,910
$48,840–$98,720 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
104,450
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
-1.8%
~6,200 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for career/technical education teachers, secondary school shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $98,720 versus $48,840 at the bottom 10% — 2.0x. The median of $63,910 leaves roughly 54% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change -1.8% from 2024 to 2034 — a projected decline, against +3% across all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 6,200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 51 states with released data, Washington pays the most for this role (median $98,580, +54% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $50,960 — a 93% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injury and damage.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.
- Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
- Prepare, administer, and grade tests and assignments to evaluate students' progress.
- Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Keep informed about trends in education and subject matter specialties.
- Plan and supervise work-experience programs in businesses, industrial shops, and school laboratories.
- Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
- Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
Tools & technology
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Blackboard Learn
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- DOC Cop
- Edmodo
- Edpuzzle
- Image scanning software
- iParadigms Turnitin
- Kahoot!
- Learning management system LMS
- Padlet
- Sakai CLE
- Web browser software
- Email software
Knowledge areas
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Psychology