Career comparison
Middle School CTE Teacher vs. Middle School Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Middle school CTE teachers earn more at the median ($65,030 vs. $64,370), while middle school CTE teachers usually get to work faster (4 years plus licensure of training). Middle school CTE teachers introduce middle schoolers to careers through hands-on projects. Middle school teachers teach students in grades 6 through 8 through big changes in learning and life.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Middle School CTE Teacher | Middle School Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $65,030 | $64,370 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,200 – $101,890 | $48,080 – $102,540 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.5% (little or no change) | -0.4% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 1,000 | 38,800 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years plus licensure | 4 years plus licensing |
| Key credential | State teaching license | State teaching license |
| Work setting | Teachers work in middle school labs, kitchens and classrooms.. | Middle school teachers work in classrooms and labs, moving between classes, meetings and duties.. |
What each job does
Middle School CTE Teacher
- Teach career exploration classes
- Run hands-on projects
- Manage labs and equipment
- Teach safety
- Plan lessons
Middle School Teacher
- Plan and teach subject lessons
- Grade assignments and tests
- Manage classroom behavior
- Support study skills and organization
- Differentiate instruction
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working with people, creative work, and helping others. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose middle school CTE teacher if…
- I like middle schoolers
- I like hands-on projects
- I can manage a lab
Choose middle school teacher if…
- I love a particular subject
- I can relate to preteens
- I’m patient and consistent
Still torn? Take the Middle School CTE Teacher fit quiz and the Middle School Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, middle school CTE teacher or middle school teacher?
Middle School CTE Teachers earn more at the median: $65,030 versus $64,370 for middle school teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Middle School CTE Teachers typically train faster (4 years plus licensure) than middle school teachers (4 years plus licensing).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects middle school teachers to grow -0.4% from 2025–35, compared with -0.5% for middle school CTE teachers.