What Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Supervise and monitor students' use of tools and equipment"; "Observe and evaluate students' work to determine progress, provide feedback, and make suggestions for improvement"; "Present lectures and conduct discussions to increase students' knowledge and competence using visual aids, such as graphs, charts, videotapes, and slides"; "Administer oral, written, or performance tests to measure progress and to evaluate training effectiveness"; "Prepare reports and maintain records, such as student grades, attendance rolls, and training activity details".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically less than 5 years.
Job outlook for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 123,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 122,700 in 2035, a decrease of 400 jobs (-0.3%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 8,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $63,820, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $73,548 in New Jersey to $75,689 in New York, a gap of $2,142 (1.03 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $63,820 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 7,530, which is 53.3% of the 14,120 counted across them. New York follows with 6,590.
Highest-paying states
New York ($75,689) and New Jersey ($73,548) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($73,548) and New York ($75,689) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-1000) include Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Business Teachers, Postsecondary, English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary and Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary.
Frequently asked questions about Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
What is the national median wage for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $63,820. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $73,548 to $75,689.
Which state pays Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $75,689. New Jersey is next at $73,548.
What is the job outlook for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 0.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 8,000 openings a year.
What education do Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of less than 5 years, according to BLS.