Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median $63,820 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
What career/technical education teachers, postsecondary do
Teach vocational courses intended to provide occupational training below the baccalaureate level in subjects such as construction, mechanics/repair, manufacturing, transportation, or cosmetology, primarily to students who have graduated from or left high school. Teaching takes place in public or private schools whose primary business is academic or vocational education. Flight instructors are included with "Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers" (53-2010).
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.3% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 8,000
Employment of career/technical education teachers, postsecondary is projected to shrink 0.3% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 8,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,478
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,957
- Medicare (1.45%)$925
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$53,459
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,960 | $20.17 | $35,895 |
| 25th percentile | $50,320 | $24.19 | $42,612 |
| Median (50th) | $63,820 | $30.68 | $53,459 |
| 75th percentile | $82,360 | $39.60 | $66,770 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,620 | $52.22 | $85,244 |
Best cities for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $74,570 | $61,290 | $62,142 | 2,440 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $78,540 | $60,439 | $53,693 | 4,820 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $75,450 | $58,104 | $51,164 | 3,670 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $61,360 | $51,483 | $49,940 | 3,110 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $63,100 | $49,902 | $48,170 | 3,160 |
| 6 | Miami, FL | $63,420 | $53,138 | $46,549 | 2,490 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $78,540
- Los Angeles, CA — $75,450
- Houston, TX — $74,570
- Miami, FL — $63,420
- Chicago, IL — $63,100
- Dallas, TX — $61,360
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $82,620 | −0.4% | $63,955 | $49,470 – $123,850 | 2,000 |
| South Carolina | $79,610 | +6.6% | $61,216 | $37,860 – $103,660 | 1,980 |
| Massachusetts | $78,780 | +2.8% | $60,533 | $49,150 – $122,830 | 1,660 |
| Washington | $77,530 | +15.0% | $63,372 | $50,960 – $129,790 | 3,610 |
| Alaska | $77,310 | +15.2% | $63,218 | $64,040 – $106,680 | 1,120 |
| Minnesota | $76,920 | +1.6% | $59,236 | $47,330 – $123,770 | 1,510 |
| California | $76,630 | +2.0% | $58,825 | $45,800 – $168,680 | 11,040 |
| New York | $75,170 | −2.4% | $58,250 | $50,410 – $123,700 | 5,250 |
| Wyoming | $74,210 | +47.7% | $61,037 | $46,710 – $119,310 | 360 |
| North Dakota | $73,570 | +14.1% | $60,411 | $43,680 – $104,290 | 430 |
| South Dakota | $72,940 | +13.4% | $60,143 | $45,840 – $85,100 | 350 |
| New Jersey | $72,440 | +6.4% | $57,337 | $49,390 – $101,060 | 2,590 |
| Colorado | $70,130 | +15.8% | $55,789 | $37,840 – $97,850 | 2,060 |
| Oklahoma | $67,060 | +4.3% | $53,535 | $47,990 – $104,170 | 3,040 |
| Oregon | $65,430 | −17.5% | $49,858 | $45,260 – $132,100 | 1,140 |
| Rhode Island | $65,210 | +3.3% | $52,748 | $49,510 – $97,680 | 310 |
| West Virginia | $65,200 | +9.5% | $52,360 | $37,140 – $89,110 | 300 |
| Texas | $65,180 | +2.3% | $54,552 | $38,360 – $106,820 | 12,620 |
| New Hampshire | $65,040 | −20.0% | $54,440 | $49,040 – $128,800 | 220 |
| Arizona | $64,930 | +4.6% | $52,937 | $47,780 – $131,020 | 2,190 |
| Michigan | $63,440 | +1.9% | $50,709 | $46,350 – $121,690 | 3,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $63,160 | +4.6% | $50,990 | $44,390 – $103,010 | 4,780 |
| Alabama | $62,580 | +8.4% | $49,599 | $44,800 – $122,750 | 2,350 |
| Illinois | $62,480 | +5.0% | $49,435 | $37,810 – $121,630 | 4,420 |
| Vermont | $62,450 | −3.3% | $50,697 | $47,510 – $98,530 | 210 |
| Delaware | $62,400 | +2.4% | $49,532 | $50,950 – $99,140 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $62,390 | +3.0% | $50,330 | $44,680 – $82,010 | 6,510 |
| Tennessee | $62,310 | +4.6% | $52,246 | $38,640 – $91,170 | 2,140 |
| Iowa | $62,270 | +2.6% | $50,499 | $45,080 – $96,210 | 1,170 |
| Maryland | $62,060 | +5.2% | $49,461 | $32,370 – $109,300 | 780 |
| Maine | $61,740 | +0.5% | $48,802 | $49,080 – $139,640 | 510 |
| Nevada | $61,740 | +1.3% | $51,788 | $32,430 – $99,230 | 950 |
| Kentucky | $61,080 | +25.6% | $49,238 | $44,630 – $73,270 | 1,560 |
| Ohio | $60,600 | −2.9% | $49,988 | $40,520 – $98,990 | 3,440 |
| Nebraska | $60,490 | −0.7% | $48,911 | $49,280 – $100,080 | 470 |
| New Mexico | $60,490 | −1.2% | $49,106 | $43,490 – $177,330 | 1,070 |
| Georgia | $60,320 | +15.9% | $48,139 | $40,110 – $76,630 | 3,920 |
| Florida | $59,990 | +15.3% | $50,382 | $38,780 – $126,090 | 7,600 |
| Idaho | $59,730 | +21.6% | $48,116 | $37,080 – $96,940 | 570 |
| Missouri | $59,640 | −4.1% | $48,235 | $37,950 – $95,970 | 1,630 |
| Connecticut | $59,420 | +4.4% | $48,175 | $46,090 – $105,190 | 1,130 |
| District of Columbia | $59,220 | +4.6% | $47,360 | $47,460 – $95,120 | — |
| Indiana | $57,820 | −5.5% | $46,962 | $39,210 – $95,170 | 2,250 |
| Virginia | $57,820 | +3.0% | $46,128 | $41,600 – $83,110 | 1,860 |
| Montana | $57,270 | −4.5% | $46,261 | $37,870 – $88,120 | 430 |
| Louisiana | $56,480 | +14.5% | $46,254 | $41,460 – $75,190 | 780 |
| Hawaii | $51,990 | −5.5% | $41,527 | $39,860 – $64,210 | 70 |
| Utah | $50,740 | +1.8% | $41,632 | $22,520 – $76,670 | 2,280 |
| Mississippi | $50,670 | +0.3% | $41,599 | $33,010 – $76,920 | 1,030 |
| Arkansas | $50,120 | +5.6% | $40,709 | $35,290 – $79,910 | 1,550 |
| Kansas | $48,790 | −0.8% | $39,460 | $34,850 – $82,520 | 1,160 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $75,870 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.4% |
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,270 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.2% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $77,640 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | $72,990 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.6% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $75,350 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.5% |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $76,590 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.5% |
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,570 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.6% |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.1% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,620 | Master's degree | +2.2% |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | 0.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a career/technical education teachers, postsecondary make?
The national median salary for career/technical education teachers, postsecondary is $63,820 a year ($30.68 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,960 and the top 10% earn over $108,620. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays career/technical education teachers, postsecondary the most?
Wisconsin has the highest median pay at $82,620. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many career/technical education teachers, postsecondary are there in the U.S.?
About 114,110 people work as career/technical education teachers, postsecondary nationwide.