Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Career and technical education teachers at the postsecondary level focus on helping students develop practical, career-focused skills after high school. With national employment of 122,000, this is a sizable field that combines teaching with specialized knowledge in technical or career subjects. The role draws on strong speaking and listening abilities, interpersonal skills, and critical and analytical thinking, making it a good fit for people who enjoy guiding and working closely with students. Creativity and innovation, adaptability, and leadership also play an important part, reflecting the need to manage classes, projects, and varied learning situations. A national median salary of $61,490 and projected employment growth of 0.7% indicate a stable, established career path. For those interested in teaching hands-on skills and applying mechanical or scientific knowledge in an educational setting, this occupation offers opportunities in a range of states and metro areas with different salary levels and job concentrations.
The national median annual salary for postsecondary career and technical education teachers is $61,490, but pay varies notably by state and metro area. Among the top states by opportunity score, Massachusetts shows a median salary of $78,780, Washington $77,530, California $76,630, and New York $75,170, all above the national median. Colorado’s median of $70,130 is also higher than the national figure. At the metro level, some areas stand out even more: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports a median salary of $89,110, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $86,980. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro’s median is $78,540, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton offers $82,420. In contrast, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro has a median salary of $60,290, slightly below the national median, illustrating that local markets can differ even within high-opportunity regions.
Postsecondary career and technical education teachers have national employment of 122,000 and projected employment growth of 0.7%. This same 0.7% growth rate appears in the listed top states and metro areas, suggesting consistent, modest expansion across highlighted regions. With 9,000 annual openings, there is ongoing movement in the field through new positions and turnover. The combination of steady growth and a notable number of openings points to a career where opportunities regularly arise for new entrants as well as experienced educators seeking change. While the data show that growth is not rapid, the existing employment base is substantial, offering a broad range of institutions and locations where these teachers can work. For individuals planning a long-term path, the mix of an established workforce, moderate projected growth, and recurring openings supports a generally stable employment outlook.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity, salary, and concentration for postsecondary career and technical education teachers. Among states, California has the highest employment in this occupation at 11,040, with a median salary of $76,630 and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York follows with 5,250 employed and a median salary of $75,170. Washington (3,610 employed, $77,530 median salary), Colorado (2,060 employed, $70,130), and Massachusetts (1,660 employed, $78,780) also rank highly by opportunity score. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with the highest opportunity score (77.42) and a median salary of $89,110, though with 310 employed. The New York-Newark-Jersey City metro combines a high opportunity score (77.27), a median salary of $78,540, and 4,820 employed, indicating a large local market. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also offer relatively high salaries, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV shows a lower median salary but a solid opportunity score.
The typical education requirement for postsecondary career and technical education teachers is a bachelor’s degree. Beyond formal education, success in this field draws on a broad mix of skills. Speaking and listening, writing and reading, and interpersonal skills support effective communication with students and colleagues. Critical and analytical thinking helps teachers plan instruction and assess student understanding. Leadership and project management are important for organizing classes, labs, and longer-term learning activities. Adaptability and creativity and innovation contribute to presenting material in different ways and responding to varied learner needs. Mechanical and science skills indicate that many roles in this occupation involve technical or applied subject matter. Together, this combination of a bachelor’s degree and a diverse skill set positions professionals to teach career-focused content while managing the practical and organizational aspects of postsecondary learning environments.
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