Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary Schools out-earn Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations by $2K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary Schools land at $66,270 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations at $63,970. The education gap is real: career/technical education teachers, secondary school 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, Secondary Schools is Washington ($101,180); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations it's Washington ($102,350).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary Schools or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations?
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary Schools earn more nationally. The median is $66,270 for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary Schools versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations, a difference of $2K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
Which requires more education, Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School 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, Secondary Schools get paid the most?
Washington is the top-paying state for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary Schools at $101,180/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, Secondary School vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary Schools earn $101,180 vs. $102,350 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.