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Teach occupational, vocational, career, or technical subjects to students at the secondary school level.
Communication skills. Career and technical education teachers must explain concepts in terms that students can understand.
Organizational skills. Career and technical education teachers must coordinate their time and teaching materials.
Patience. Working with students of different abilities and backgrounds can be difficult. Teachers must be even-tempered with students to develop a positive learning environment.
Resourcefulness. Teachers need to create different ways of presenting information and demonstrating tasks so that all students learn the material.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
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95% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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92% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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90% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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89% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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89% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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89% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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89% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. | |
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88% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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84% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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84% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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84% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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82% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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81% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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76% | Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. | |
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71% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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71% | Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
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100% | Social - Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
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83% | Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
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72% | Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
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72% | Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
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64% | Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
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78% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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78% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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78% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |
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75% | Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. | |
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75% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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75% | Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. | |
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72% | Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |
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72% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). | |
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69% | Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |
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69% | Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |
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69% | Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
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98% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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97% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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93% | Public Speaking - How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job? | |
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92% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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84% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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84% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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83% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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83% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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79% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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77% | Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? | |
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74% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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72% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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71% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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70% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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69% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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68% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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66% | Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? | |
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76% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
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85% | Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. | |
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84% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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83% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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83% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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81% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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79% | Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. | |
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79% | Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. | |
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76% | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. | |
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76% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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76% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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75% | Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. | |
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75% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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74% | Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks. | |
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73% | Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. | |
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73% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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70% | Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members. | |
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69% | Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. | |
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68% | Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them. | |
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68% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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67% | Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used. | |
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67% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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66% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
Career and technical education (CTE) teachers provide training in subjects such as auto repair, cosmetology, and culinary arts. They teach vocational and technical content to give students the skills and knowledge necessary to enter an occupation.
Career and technical education teachers typically do the following:
CTE teachers help students explore and prepare to enter a career or technical occupation. They use a variety of teaching methods to help students learn and develop skills related to a specific occupation or career field. They demonstrate tasks, techniques, and tools used in an occupation. They may assign hands-on tasks, such as replacing brakes on cars, taking blood pressure, or applying makeup. Teachers typically oversee these activities in workshops and laboratories in the school.
Some teachers work with local businesses and nonprofit organizations to provide practical work experience for students. They also serve as advisers to students participating in career and technical student organizations.
The specific duties of CTE teachers vary by the grade and subject they teach. In middle schools and high schools, they teach general concepts in a classroom and practical exercises in workshops and laboratories.
In postsecondary schools, they teach specific career skills that help students earn a certificate, a diploma, or an associate’s degree and prepare them for a specific job. For example, welding instructors teach students welding techniques and safety practices. They also monitor the use of tools and equipment and have students practice procedures until they meet the standards required by the trade.
In most states, teachers in middle and high schools teach one subject within major career fields. CTE teachers combine academic instruction with experiential learning in their subject of expertise.
For example, teachers of courses in agricultural, food, and natural resources teach topics such as agricultural production; agriculture-related business; veterinary science; and plant, animal, and food systems. They may have students plant and care for crops and animals to apply what they have learned in the classroom.
For information about the programs for major career fields, visit Advance CTE.
Career and technical education teachers held about 212,100 jobs in 2022. Employment in the detailed occupations that make up career and technical education teachers was distributed as follows:
| Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary | 113,000 |
| Career/technical education teachers, secondary school | 88,000 |
| Career/technical education teachers, middle school | 11,100 |
The largest employers of career and technical education teachers were as follows:
| Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private | 45% |
| Junior colleges; state, local, and private | 20 |
| Technical and trade schools; state, local, and private | 20 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 7 |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 4 |
Career and technical education teachers typically work in middle, high, and postsecondary schools, such as 2-year colleges. Others work in technical, trade, and business schools.
Career and technical education teachers in middle and high schools generally work during school hours. They may meet with parents, students, and school staff before and after classes.
Some career and technical education teachers, especially those in postsecondary schools, teach courses and develop lesson plans during evening hours and on weekends.
Teachers usually work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. They also have a short midwinter break. Some teachers work for summer programs.
Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 9 weeks in a row and then have a break for 3 weeks before starting a new school session.
Career and technical education teachers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and work experience in the subject they teach. Public schools may require a state-issued teaching certification or license.
Career and technical education teachers generally need a bachelor’s degree in the field they teach, such as agriculture, engineering, or computer and information technology.
All states require prospective career and technical education teachers in public schools to complete a period of fieldwork, called a student-teaching program, in which they work with a mentor teacher and get experience teaching students in a classroom. For information about teacher preparation programs in your state, visit Teach.org.
Many career and technical education teachers need work experience in the field they teach. For example, automotive mechanics, chefs, and nurses typically spend years in their career before moving into teaching.
States may require career and technical education teachers in public schools to be licensed or certified. Requirements for certification or licensure vary by state, but generally involve the following:
For information on certification requirements in your state, visit Teach.org.
Career and technical education teachers who prepare students for an occupation that requires a license or certification may need to have and maintain the same credential. For example, career and technical education teachers who teach welding may need to have certification in welding. In addition, teachers may be required to complete annual professional development courses to maintain their license or certification.
Some states offer an alternative route to certification or licensure for prospective teachers who have a bachelor’s degree or work experience in their field but lack the education courses required for certification. Alternative programs typically cover teaching methods, development of lesson plans, and classroom management.
Experienced teachers may advance to become mentors or lead teachers, helping less experienced teachers to improve their teaching skills.
Teachers may become school counselors, instructional coordinators, or principals. These positions generally require additional education, an advanced degree, or certification. An advanced degree in education administration or leadership may be helpful.
Overall employment of career and technical education teachers is projected to show little or no change from 2022 to 2032.
Despite limited employment growth, about 14,800 openings for career and technical education teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Some demand for these workers is expected over the projections decade due to continued interest in career and technical education programs in middle schools, high schools, and postsecondary institutions. However, this demand is likely to be tempered as schools continue to require students to take more academic classes.
In addition, public schools often depend on government funding for career and technical education programs. When budgets for these programs are reduced, employment growth for career and technical education teachers may be limited.
For more information about career and technical education teachers, visit
Association for Career and Technical Education
For more information about teaching and becoming a teacher, visit
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of career and technical education teachers.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals |
Elementary, middle, and high school principals oversee all school operations, including daily school activities. |
Master's degree | $101,320 |
|
High School Teachers |
High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market. |
Bachelor's degree | $62,360 |
|
Instructional Coordinators |
Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, implement it, and assess its effectiveness. |
Master's degree | $66,490 |
|
Middle School Teachers |
Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades. |
Bachelor's degree | $61,810 |
|
Postsecondary Teachers |
Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects beyond the high school level. |
See How to Become One | $80,840 |
|
School and Career Counselors and Advisors |
School counselors help students develop academic and social skills. Career counselors and advisors help people choose a path to employment. |
Master's degree | $60,140 |
|
Special Education Teachers |
Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. |
Bachelor's degree | $62,950 |
|
Teacher Assistants |
Teacher assistants work with a licensed teacher to give students additional attention and instruction. |
Some college, no degree | $30,920 |
|
Adult Basic and Secondary Education and ESL Teachers |
Adult basic and secondary education and ESL (English as a Second Language) teachers instruct adults in fundamental skills, such as reading and speaking English. They also help students earn their high school equivalency credential. |
Bachelor's degree | $58,590 |
|
Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers |
Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling. |
Bachelor's degree | $61,620 |