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Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.
Other titles employers use
Agricultural Education Teacher · Auto Technology Instructor (Automotive Technology Instructor) · Career and Technical Education Teacher (CTE Teacher) · Cosmetology Teacher · Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher (FACS Teacher) · Instructor · Teacher · Technology Education Teacher
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- Prepare materials and classroom for class activities.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Instruct students in the knowledge and skills required in a specific occupation or occupational field, using a systematic plan of lectures, discussions, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory, shop, and field studies.
- Instruct and monitor students in the use and care of equipment and materials to prevent injury and damage.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to helping, organizing and creative work.
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Creative
- Making, designing, writing, or performing without one set answer
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Instructing
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Writing
Subjects to know
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
Useful strengths
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.0 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.2 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.7 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 40%
- A master's degree 27%
- A two-year degree 13%
- A certificate or some college 12%
- High school or less 8%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Word processing software
- Electronic mail software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Computer based training software
- Information retrieval or search software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 14,400
- Job openings each year
- 980
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 11.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 14,400 | 980 | 11.3% |
| New York | 6,340 | 60 | 9.5% |
| Ohio | 4,440 | 270 | — |
| North Carolina | 4,150 | 270 | 6.7% |
| Virginia | 3,550 | 220 | — |
| Washington | 3,540 | 280 | 11.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 3,080 | 190 | — |
| Tennessee | 3,080 | 220 | 14.5% |
| Georgia | 2,990 | 190 | 4.5% |
| California | 2,200 | 140 | 4.8% |
| New Jersey | 1,910 | 120 | 3.2% |
| South Carolina | 1,560 | 100 | 7.6% |
| Louisiana | 1,510 | 100 | 2.0% |
| Connecticut | 1,500 | 100 | 4.9% |
| Nebraska | 1,480 | 90 | 3.5% |
| Illinois | 1,460 | 90 | 1.4% |
| Wisconsin | 1,390 | 90 | 3.7% |
| Arkansas | 1,120 | 70 | 1.8% |
| Iowa | 1,110 | 70 | 5.7% |
| Mississippi | 1,060 | 70 | 3.9% |
| Colorado | 1,050 | 70 | 14.1% |
| Massachusetts | 1,010 | 70 | 8.6% |
| West Virginia | 900 | 60 | 1.1% |
| Maryland | 860 | 60 | 8.9% |
| Minnesota | 840 | 50 | 2.4% |
| Oklahoma | 810 | 50 | 3.8% |
| Michigan | 760 | 50 | −1.3% |
| Utah | 740 | 50 | 15.6% |
| Arizona | 670 | 40 | 1.5% |
| Delaware | 600 | 40 | 9.1% |
| Indiana | 560 | 40 | 1.8% |
| Missouri | 550 | 40 | 1.9% |
| Kansas | 510 | 30 | 2.0% |
| North Dakota | 500 | 30 | 6.4% |
| Vermont | 380 | 20 | 2.7% |
| South Dakota | 340 | 20 | 6.3% |
| Kentucky | 270 | 20 | 3.8% |
| New Hampshire | 270 | 20 | 3.8% |
| Montana | 250 | 20 | — |
| Wyoming | 240 | 20 | 9.1% |
| Rhode Island | 230 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 220 | 10 | 4.8% |
| Nevada | 200 | 10 | 5.3% |
| Oregon | 180 | 10 | — |
| Idaho | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Alaska | 90 | 10 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
- Degrees each year
- 376
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Virginia Commonwealth University
- Degrees each year
- 342
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 281
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Kentucky
- Degrees each year
- 274
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
State University of New York at Cortland
- Degrees each year
- 252
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Central Michigan University
- Degrees each year
- 181
- Admit rate
- 91%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of Louisville
- Degrees each year
- 178
- Admit rate
- 81%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Brigham Young University
- Degrees each year
- 172
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000