Overview
SourcedTeach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.
O*NET definition of Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School (SOC 25-2032) · Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed.
Titles employers use
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership; U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database; GovJobs Wiki (editorial). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Requirements
Sourced- Education needed to enter
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
Education workers say the job requires
Share of surveyed workers in Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School (SOC 25-2032) naming each level as required to be hired, 46 respondents, O*NET survey August 2025. Each employer sets its own minimum.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4); U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to get hired
SourcedCareer and technical education teachers typically need at least a bachelor's degree and work experience in the subject that they teach. Public school teachers may be required to have a state-issued teaching certification or license.
From the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile “Career and Technical Education Teachers”, published August 27, 2026 · Read the full profile. National guidance; each employer runs its own hiring process.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–35 edition (XML compilation). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Academy and training
Sourced- SOC 25-2032
- None
- Job zone
- Considerable Preparation Needed
Academy length, curriculum and paid-training policies are set by each employer and state; they are part of the employer collection stage.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — education and training assignments by detailed occupation (Tables 5.3, 5.4). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Promotion ladder
EditorialSteps and lanes: certificated salary schedule: years (steps) × education (lanes). Typical structure for a public school certificated staff; titles, steps and timing differ by employer.
- Teacher, Step 1 (by lane: BA / BA+15 / MA / MA+30 / PhD)
- Teacher, Steps 2…N (annual)
- Longevity steps
- Mentor / Lead Teacher / Department Chair (stipend)
- Instructional Coach
- Assistant Principal
- Principal
- Central-office Director
- Superintendent
Source: GovJobs Wiki (editorial).
Pay
SourcedMedian annual wage by employer type, national, May 2025. Federal includes the U.S. Postal Service; state and local include public schools and hospitals.
| Employer type | Workers | 10th pct. | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | 1,890 | $66,440 | $81,990 | $100,720 | $103,000 | $115,980 |
| Local | 105,510 | $50,200 | $60,690 | $66,160 | $79,840 | $100,890 |
| All government | 107,400 | $50,220 | $60,770 | $66,410 | $80,200 | $101,340 |
| Private sector | 4,020 | $44,010 | $51,180 | $60,770 | $77,310 | $100,830 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Schedule
SourcedShare of surveyed workers in the occupation (O*NET work context, August 2025). Shift patterns and differentials depend on the employer.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Day-to-day work
Sourced- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.4.5
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.4.5
- Prepare materials and classroom for class activities.4.5
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.4.4
- Instruct students in the knowledge and skills required in a specific occupation or occupational field, using a systematic plan of lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory, shop, and field studies.4.4
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injury and damage.4.3
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.4.3
- Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.4.3
- Guide and counsel students with adjustments, academic problems, or special academic interests.4.2
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by law, district policy, and administrative regulations.4.1
The 10 most important of 32 core tasks for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School, ranked by importance (1–5) in the O*NET survey of August 2025.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), O*NET 31.0 Database. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Related jobs
DerivedEmployer directory
Sourced13,321 school districts in the registry. Regular public school districts in the NCES Common Core of Data (charter-only districts are not included). The 10 largest by teachers (fte):
| Employer | Location | Teachers (FTE) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Chicago, IL | 23,532 | Official site |
| Los Angeles Unified | Los Angeles, CA | 21,246 | Official site |
| MIAMI-DADE | Miami, FL | 17,139 | Official site |
| Clark County | Las Vegas, NV | 16,446 | Official site |
| Fairfax County Public Schools | Falls Church, VA | 13,501 | Official site |
| Gwinnett County | Lawrenceville, GA | 12,796 | — |
| Hawaii Department of Education | Honolulu, HI | 12,215 | Official site |
| Montgomery County Public Schools | Rockville, MD | 11,574 | Official site |
| PALM BEACH | West Palm Beach, FL | 11,548 | Official site |
| ORANGE | Orlando, FL | 11,416 | Official site |
Full lists by state:
As reported by each employer to its federal registry.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, 2024–25 local education agency universe (directory and staff). Data captured September 30, 2026.
By state
SourcedMedian annual wage for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School (SOC 25-2032) in each state, all employers (BLS state estimates do not separate government from private). Highest first.
| State | Workers | 10th pct. | Median | 90th pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | 3,460 | $69,270 | $101,180 | $127,890 |
| Connecticut | 1,910 | $77,410 | $100,810 | $115,980 |
| Massachusetts | 3,130 | $77,530 | $98,020 | $111,560 |
| New Jersey | 2,320 | $62,210 | $83,770 | $106,540 |
| Rhode Island | 90 | $65,280 | $81,820 | $95,000 |
| California | 3,260 | $60,590 | $80,620 | $126,170 |
| New York | 7,610 | $59,490 | $79,820 | $130,160 |
| Delaware | 560 | $62,010 | $79,230 | $95,920 |
| Ohio | 5,130 | $56,030 | $79,230 | $101,300 |
| Vermont | 220 | $62,090 | $79,220 | $99,730 |
| Georgia | 1,680 | $58,570 | $78,760 | $98,450 |
| Oregon | 750 | $49,720 | $78,380 | $96,870 |
| Maryland | 690 | $62,040 | $78,320 | $109,770 |
| Alaska | 170 | $59,190 | $78,130 | $99,690 |
| Maine | 170 | $51,290 | $78,050 | $88,330 |
| Illinois | 2,780 | $48,540 | $77,950 | $132,830 |
| Michigan | 1,800 | $48,370 | $77,400 | $96,040 |
| New Hampshire | 450 | $51,960 | $76,320 | $90,960 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,840 | $50,040 | $75,760 | $103,430 |
| Virginia | 3,500 | $52,710 | $75,580 | $101,750 |
| Wisconsin | 1,420 | $50,610 | $74,310 | $93,790 |
| Colorado | 1,250 | $48,120 | $72,750 | $100,830 |
| Utah | 730 | $48,650 | $72,380 | $93,850 |
| South Carolina | 1,150 | $50,620 | $72,120 | $98,060 |
| Minnesota | 880 | $48,210 | $71,650 | $100,440 |
| New Mexico | 100 | $51,830 | $66,750 | $78,790 |
| Texas | 32,250 | $53,150 | $64,610 | $77,070 |
| Nevada | 150 | $55,010 | $64,510 | $83,410 |
| Nebraska | 1,310 | $46,160 | $63,180 | $79,280 |
| Arizona | 660 | $46,480 | $62,980 | $100,480 |
| Wyoming | 210 | $50,420 | $62,570 | $79,450 |
| Florida | 6,820 | $49,540 | $62,140 | $78,860 |
| Arkansas | 1,000 | $51,130 | $61,780 | $76,620 |
| Tennessee | 2,940 | $49,480 | $61,700 | $77,450 |
| North Dakota | 640 | $48,520 | $61,500 | $79,870 |
| Louisiana | 1,530 | $47,660 | $61,300 | $79,960 |
| Kentucky | 330 | $48,760 | $61,130 | $83,320 |
| Idaho | 1,140 | $50,660 | $60,510 | $77,080 |
| Alabama | Not published | $53,230 | $59,470 | $62,290 |
| Missouri | 2,000 | $45,890 | $59,300 | $81,130 |
| Oklahoma | 1,170 | $46,290 | $58,800 | $83,650 |
| North Carolina | 2,650 | $46,850 | $58,600 | $69,590 |
| Kansas | 1,050 | $46,240 | $58,300 | $73,300 |
| Mississippi | 1,770 | $47,300 | $57,910 | $70,400 |
| West Virginia | 1,000 | $50,490 | $57,760 | $69,390 |
| Iowa | 640 | $43,650 | $57,660 | $75,930 |
| Indiana | 1,310 | $44,020 | $56,390 | $77,880 |
| South Dakota | 360 | $46,990 | $56,070 | $61,500 |
| Montana | 260 | $45,690 | $55,190 | $85,290 |
49 states with published estimates.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Not yet collected
These dimensions are part of every job page. We publish them only once they are sourced from official documents such as job postings, pay plans, union contracts and state standards.
- 05 ProbationNot yet collectedProbation length and what ends it
- 09 Benefits and pensionNot yet collectedPension plan and formula, retirement age and years, DROP, retiree health, Social Security coverage, 457(b) and PSLF eligibility
- 10 Union contractsNot yet collectedBargaining unit, union and the current contract, with its source and effective dates
- 11 Transfers and lateral entryNot yet collectedLateral entry policy, certification reciprocity, lateral bonuses and moves between agencies
- 14 Exam practiceNot yet collectedNamed entrance and licensing exams, with free practice tests where they exist