Career comparison
Career and Technical Education Teacher vs. Middle School CTE Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Career and technical education teachers earn more at the median ($66,270 vs. $65,030), while career and technical education teachers usually get to work faster (Industry experience plus licensing of training). Career and technical education teachers teach high school students job skills in trades, health, technology and business. Middle school CTE teachers introduce middle schoolers to careers through hands-on projects.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Career and Technical Education Teacher | Middle School CTE Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $66,270 | $65,030 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,040 – $101,340 | $49,200 – $101,890 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.4% (little or no change) | -0.5% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 6,400 | 1,000 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | Industry experience plus licensing | 4 years plus licensure |
| Key credential | State CTE teaching license | State teaching license |
| Work setting | CTE teachers work in shops, labs and classrooms that may include heavy equipment, tools and hazards.. | Teachers work in middle school labs, kitchens and classrooms.. |
What each job does
Career and Technical Education Teacher
- Teach hands-on career skills
- Plan lessons aligned to industry standards
- Prepare students for industry certifications
- Maintain shop and lab safety
- Manage equipment and supplies
Middle School CTE Teacher
- Teach career exploration classes
- Run hands-on projects
- Manage labs and equipment
- Teach safety
- Plan lessons
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, hands-on work, and working with people. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose career and technical education teacher if…
- I have skills in a trade or career field
- I enjoy teaching others
- I take safety seriously
Choose middle school CTE teacher if…
- I like middle schoolers
- I like hands-on projects
- I can manage a lab
Still torn? Take the Career and Technical Education Teacher fit quiz and the Middle School CTE Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, career and technical education teacher or middle school CTE teacher?
Career and Technical Education Teachers earn more at the median: $66,270 versus $65,030 for middle school CTE teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Career and Technical Education Teachers typically train faster (Industry experience plus licensing) than middle school CTE teachers (4 years plus licensure).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects career and technical education teachers to grow -0.4% from 2025–35, compared with -0.5% for middle school CTE teachers.