Career comparison
Career and Technical Education Teacher vs. Postsecondary CTE Instructor
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. $63,820), 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. Postsecondary CTE instructors teach adults a trade or technical skill at a community or technical college.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Career and Technical Education Teacher | Postsecondary CTE Instructor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $66,270 | $63,820 ($30.68/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,040 – $101,340 | $41,960 – $108,620 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.4% (little or no change) | -0.3% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 6,400 | 8,000 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | Industry experience plus licensing | Several years of field experience |
| Key credential | State CTE teaching license | Industry certification |
| Work setting | CTE teachers work in shops, labs and classrooms that may include heavy equipment, tools and hazards.. | Instructors work in shops, labs and classrooms at community colleges and technical schools.. |
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
Postsecondary CTE Instructor
- Teach technical courses
- Run hands-on labs and shops
- Prepare students for certifications
- Maintain tools and equipment
- Work with employer advisory boards
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, hands-on work, working with people, and indoor work. 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 postsecondary CTE instructor if…
- I’m skilled in a trade
- I like showing others how
- I’m patient
Still torn? Take the Career and Technical Education Teacher fit quiz and the Postsecondary CTE Instructor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, career and technical education teacher or postsecondary CTE instructor?
Career and Technical Education Teachers earn more at the median: $66,270 versus $63,820 for postsecondary CTE instructors, 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 postsecondary CTE instructors (Several years of field experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects postsecondary CTE instructors to grow -0.3% from 2025–35, compared with -0.4% for career and technical education teachers.