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Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

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.

Median salary (BLS)

$63,820

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$42k – $109k

Job outlook

+1% (about average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $85,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

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Education

Typical entry: Associate degree

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$8,100–$22,700

Time to qualify

2.3 yr

Renewal

$20/yr

  1. 1

    Associate degree (community college)

    Degree

    Two years at in-district rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $4,050/yr, plus ~$1,200/yr books & supplies.

    $8,000–$22,000 · 2 years source

  2. 2

    State teaching certification

    License

    Approved educator-prep program, pedagogy & subject exams, background check, and a state application.

    $100–$700 · 3 months · varies by state · renews every 5 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

    Entry / Junior

    $41,960

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

    Established

    $63,820

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary

    Senior

    $86,220

Key skills

A typical day

  • •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.
  • •Supervise and monitor students' use of tools and equipment.
  • •Administer oral, written, or performance tests to measure progress and to evaluate training effectiveness.
  • •Provide individualized instruction and tutorial or remedial instruction.

Fields of study

Any field

Top colleges for Education

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.