Career Trends: Career and Technical Education Teachers

Career and technical education teachers instruct students in various technical and vocational subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts. They teach academic and technical content to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter an occupation.

Most career and technical education teachers work in public schools, including middle and high schools and 2-year colleges. Others work in technical, trade, and business schools. Although they generally work during school hours, some teach evening or weekend classes.

Career and technical education teachers must have a bachelor’s degree. They also need work experience in the subject they teach. Some teachers, particularly those in public schools, may be required to have a state-issued certification or license. Requirements for certification vary by state.

Employment of career and technical education teachers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2014 to 2024, slower than the average for all occupations. Overall demand for career and technical education teachers will be driven by a continued need for programs that prepare students for technical careers.

This occupation supported 239,799 jobs in 2012 and 231,799 jobs in 2014, reflecting a decline of 3.3%. In 2012, this occupation was projected to increase by 8.9% in 2022 to 261,100 jobs. As of 2014, to keep pace with prediction, the expected number of jobs was 244,000, compared with an observed value of 231,799, 5.0% lower than expected. This indicates current employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation. In 2014, this occupation was projected to increase by 4.3% in 2024 to 242,100 jobs. Linear extrapolation of the 2012 projection for 2022 results in an expected number of 265,300 jobs for 2024, 9.6% higher than the 2014 projection for 2024. This indicates expectations for future employment trends are much worse than the 2012 trend within this occupation.