How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train for this work?

185 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Career/technical education teachers, secondary school: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Education · SOC 25-2032

$66,270US median pay, 2025

-0.4%Projected growth, 2025–35

6,400Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Work in: career/technical education teachers, secondary school

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Agricultural Teacher Education	CIP 13.1301	62
Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurship Teacher Education	CIP 13.1303	41
Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education	CIP 13.1309	41
Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education	CIP 13.1308	36
Trade and Industrial Teacher Education	CIP 13.1320	32
Technical Teacher Education	CIP 13.1319	31
Health Occupations Teacher Education	CIP 13.1327	10
Sales and Marketing Operations/Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education	CIP 13.1310	2

See the 185 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do career/technical education teachers, secondary school make?: The US median is $66,270 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train for this work?: 185 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Education

Elementary school teachers, except special education · Preschool teachers, except special education · Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education · Self-enrichment teachers · Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education · Teaching assistants, postsecondary · Instructional coordinators · Teachers and instructors, all other