Career/Technical Education Teachers (Middle School)
O*NET title: Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School
Also called: Technical Education Teachers, Middle School
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.
Also called: Agriculture Teacher, Agriscience Technology Instructor (Agriculture Science Technology Instructor), Automotive Education Teacher, Business Education Teacher, Career and Technology Education Teacher (CTE Teacher), Career Discovery Teacher
Median pay
$65,030
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$49,200 – $101,890
People employed
16,870
Holland code
SCA
Social · Conventional · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 2.Do you want the same hours every week?
- 3.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 4.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
Career/Technical Education Teachers (Middle School) pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (34 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Career/Technical Education Teachers (Middle School) salary in every state →
What career/technical education teachers (middle school) do
- 01Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- 02Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 03Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 04Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 05Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
- 06Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injuries and damage.
Skills that matter most
- Learning Strategies
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Administrative
- Customer and Personal Service
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: none or short demonstration.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from career/technical education teachers (middle school)
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors88% · −5%
- Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary82% · +17%
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary81% · −2%
- Training and Development Specialists80% · +7%
- Instructional Coordinators79% · +19%
Change into career/technical education teachers (middle school)
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary87% · $75,870
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary86% · $42,910
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors85% · $61,540
- Training and Development Specialists84% · $69,280
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term82% · $41,670
Majors that lead here
- Agricultural Teacher Education
- Business and Innovation/Entrepreneurship Teacher Education
- Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education
- Technology Teacher Education/Industrial Arts Teacher Education
- Sales and Marketing Operations/Marketing and Distribution Teacher Education
- Technical Teacher Education
- Trade and Industrial Teacher Education
- Health Occupations Teacher Education
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.