A vocational teacher, also known as a career and technical education teacher, instructs students in practical career skills in middle, secondary, or postsecondary schools. Courses of instruction include allied health, auto repair, welding, technology, agricultural education, cosmetology, business education, computer technology, and many others. This guide provides further information on what vocational teachers do, how to become one, and salary and job outlook information.
Table of Contents
Becoming a career and technical education teacher usually starts with earning a bachelor’s degree in a teachable career field, followed by earning state certification or licensing for those teaching in public K-12 schools. In addition to education, another common requirement for vocational teachers is to have experience in the career field. The most common pathway to becoming a vocational teacher in a public K-12 school is as follows:
Many states also offer specialized alternative teacher certification pathways for career and technical education teachers. In some states, this allows educators with at least five years of relevant work experience to enter the career tech field with only an associate’s degree or a high school diploma. Most states require a period of student teaching or other supervised teaching experience to qualify for a teaching certificate, which is required in public K-12 schools. In some career tech subjects, like accounting, a master’s degree in the subject to be taught may be preferred. Earning a graduate degree can also help vocational teachers qualify for teaching positions in colleges and/or universities.
Due to the nature of vocational education, expert-level skill in their subject is essential for vocational teachers. The primary goal of a career and technical education teacher is to equip students with the skills and tools they will need to enter a particular occupation.
Career tech teachers instruct students, create lesson plans, grade assignments and exams, assess students, and give feedback. Teachers of some technical careers demonstrate how to safely accomplish a certain task using the proper tools and equipment, such as changing the tire on a car or writing code. Vocational subject instruction frequently involves various types of equipment, and teachers must instruct and supervise students in the use and care of these tools. They also may meet with parents to discuss student progress and other issues.
Vocational teachers most frequently instruct courses in one of 16 major career fields, which in the field of career and technical education are known as career clusters:
Organizational skills, excellent communication and presentation skills, and sound decision-making skills are important for prospective teachers, and vocational teachers are no exception. The ability to communicate well with the age group of their students is also important. Career and technical education teachers should be calm, fair, patient, and able to work with students of varying backgrounds and levels. Having at least five years of work experience in a related area is a common requirement for vocational educators. Technical acumen and advanced education and/or certifications in their specialty subject will make a career tech teacher more desirable.
The BLS notes there are 212,000 vocational teachers, and while growth is flat through 2032, 14,800 annual openings are projected due to turnover and retirements. 4 Salaries for vocational teachers are affected by many factors including location, educational attainment, subjects taught, and job experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports on career and technical education teachers in middle, high, and postsecondary schools. The median annual wage for these teachers at all levels is $63,683. 1-3 Following is an employment, salary, and outlook breakdown of both levels of vocational teachers at the various levels:
| Career/Technical Education Teacher Level | Number Employed 1-3 | Median Annual Wage 1-3 | 90th Percentile Annual Wage 1-3 | Projected Job Growth 2022-32 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middle School | 11,100 | $63,860 | $99,080 | 0% |
| High School | 88,000 | $65,130 | $100,380 | 0% |
| Postsecondary | 113,000 | $62,060 | $105,200 | 0% |
Question: Do I need teacher certification to teach in a vocational school?
Answer: You may or may not have to obtain teacher certification before beginning to teach at a vocational school. Requirements vary from state to state, between public and private schools, and between secondary and postsecondary schools. Private schools may not require state certification. You can check with your state board of education or college program for further information on certification requirements in your state. You can also check out our guides to traditional teacher certification and alternative teacher certification for more information on common requirements.
Question: What types of courses do I take to become a vocational teacher?
Answer: Vocational teachers are usually required to take courses in their particular subject area. For example, a vocational teacher in hospitality and tourism may need to have taken courses like accounting. Just as importantly, vocational teachers also typically have hands-on occupational experience in their chosen field. Talk to your school’s advisor or refer to your state board of education to find out what courses are required in your state.
Question: What is a vocational teacher?
Answer: A vocational teacher, also known as a career and technical education teacher, is a teacher of an occupational subject, such as culinary arts, nursing, computer programming, and cosmetology. Unlike teachers of other subjects, vocational teachers typically have extensive experience and/or certification in their field.