Career comparison
Career and Technical Education Teacher vs. Welder
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. $53,750), while welders usually get to work faster (3–18 months of training). Career and technical education teachers teach high school students job skills in trades, health, technology and business. Welders join and cut metal with MIG, TIG and stick welding for construction and manufacturing.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Career and Technical Education Teacher | Welder | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $66,270 | $53,750 ($25.84/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,040 – $101,340 | $39,240 – $77,530 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.4% (little or no change) | +2.4% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 6,400 | 40,300 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Industry experience plus licensing | 3–18 months |
| Key credential | State CTE teaching license | AWS Certified Welder |
| Work setting | CTE teachers work in shops, labs and classrooms that may include heavy equipment, tools and hazards.. | Welders work in fabrication shops, factories, shipyards, construction sites and refineries, sometimes outdoors or at heights. |
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
Welder
- Read blueprints, specifications and weld symbols
- Prepare, clean and fit metal parts
- Set up welding equipment and select processes and settings
- Weld components in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions
- Cut metal with oxy-fuel or plasma torches
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work and indoor work. They sit in different fields, education & childcare and skilled trades & construction, but share transferable skills such as patience and steady hands and focus.
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 welder if…
- I like making things with my hands
- I have a steady hand and patience for precise work
- Heat, sparks and noise don’t bother me
Still torn? Take the Career and Technical Education Teacher fit quiz and the Welder fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, career and technical education teacher or welder?
Career and Technical Education Teachers earn more at the median: $66,270 versus $53,750 for welders, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Welders typically train faster (3–18 months) than career and technical education teachers (Industry experience plus licensing).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects welders to grow +2.4% from 2025–35, compared with -0.4% for career and technical education teachers.