Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education out-earn Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary by $150 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary land at $63,820 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education at $63,970. The education gap is real: career/technical education teachers, postsecondary programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary is Wisconsin ($82,620); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education it's Washington ($102,350).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earn more nationally. The median is $63,820 for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, a difference of $150. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary has the better 10-year outlook at 0.7% projected growth, compared to -2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary typically requires bachelor's degree. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary get paid the most?
Wisconsin is the top-paying state for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary at $82,620/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary earn $78,780 vs. $94,000 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.