How much does a career skills teacher make?
a year · about $32 an hour
A typical career skills teacher in the United States makes $66,270 a year, about $32 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They plan lessons, show students how to use tools safely, then coach hands-on projects in a shop or lab. They check work, grade assignments, track progress, and may talk with families or local employers.
Did you know? A CTE class might teach students to replace car brakes, take blood pressure, or apply makeup—not just read about jobs.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $50,040 and $101,340How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s degree in your subject and build related work experience; public-school jobs require student teaching and meeting state licensing rules. Some states offer routes for experienced workers, and there is no set starting age.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like helping and teaching and keeping things organized
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., experience and education can change pay because some school pay schedules use years worked and degree level. Pay also differs by state or area and employer; a subject-specific license may be required for some CTE classes, but it does not guarantee higher pay.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($101,180), lowest in Indiana ($56,390).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,040 | $66,270 | $101,340 | about 111,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,180 | about 3,000 |
| Connecticut | $100,810 | about 2,000 |
| Massachusetts | $98,020 | about 3,000 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 | about 2,000 |
| California | $80,620 | about 3,000 |
Official definition: Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level. Excludes “Special Education Teachers” (25-2050), and “Substitute Teachers, Short-Term” (25-3031).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/career-and-technical-education-te
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/25-2032.00
- www.alabamaachieves.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/TEA_20240821_Salary-Schedule-
- ospi.k12.wa.us/certification/first-time-certification/cte-teacher
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY