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The average salary for a vocational education teacher is approximately $46,598 annually, translating to about $22 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, years of experience, and the specific industry in which a teacher works. For instance, states like California and New York tend to offer higher salaries due to their higher cost of living and demand for skilled educators.
The salary range for vocational education teachers varies widely across the United States. In states like Texas and Florida, teachers may earn less than the national average, while states such as Washington and Massachusetts provide more lucrative opportunities. Understanding these differences is crucial for job seekers in this field.
Vocational education teachers can find roles in various settings, including high schools, community colleges, and adult education programs. Positions in urban areas often come with higher salaries compared to rural locations, reflecting the demand for vocational training in metropolitan regions.
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The average vocational education teacher salary in Alaska, North Dakota, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average vocational education teacher salary states are Colorado, Missouri, and New Jersey.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michigan | $49,351 | $23.73 |
| 2 | New Hampshire | $51,784 | $24.90 |
| 3 | Nebraska | $51,478 | $24.75 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $50,683 | $24.37 |
| 5 | New York | $54,170 | $26.04 |
| 6 | Alaska | $69,447 | $33.39 |
| 7 | Delaware | $50,626 | $24.34 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $52,404 | $25.19 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $52,518 | $25.25 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $55,372 | $26.62 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $52,833 | $25.40 |
| 12 | Mississippi | $50,523 | $24.29 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $47,513 | $22.84 |
| 14 | Indiana | $46,489 | $22.35 |
| 15 | Ohio | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| 16 | Maryland | $49,965 | $24.02 |
| 17 | Vermont | $50,631 | $24.34 |
| 18 | District of Columbia | $49,770 | $23.93 |
| 19 | Utah | $50,648 | $24.35 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $47,756 | $22.96 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $48,161 | $23.15 |
| 22 | California | $53,233 | $25.59 |
| 23 | Montana | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| 24 | Maine | $49,877 | $23.98 |
| 25 | Oregon | $48,881 | $23.50 |
| 26 | Arizona | $46,136 | $22.18 |
| 27 | Virginia | $48,446 | $23.29 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $44,409 | $21.35 |
| 29 | Washington | $47,268 | $22.73 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $43,775 | $21.05 |
| 31 | South Dakota | $45,929 | $22.08 |
| 32 | Florida | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| 33 | Nevada | $46,711 | $22.46 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $45,475 | $21.86 |
| 35 | Kentucky | $45,370 | $21.81 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $44,106 | $21.20 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | $43,149 | $20.74 |
| 38 | Texas | $44,413 | $21.35 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $43,712 | $21.02 |
| 40 | Idaho | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| 41 | Colorado | $41,789 | $20.09 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $43,329 | $20.83 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $43,904 | $21.11 |
| 44 | Hawaii | $48,981 | $23.55 |
| 45 | New Jersey | $33,803 | $16.25 |
| 46 | Illinois | $30,806 | $14.81 |
| 47 | Georgia | $43,323 | $20.83 |
| 48 | Alabama | $43,237 | $20.79 |
| 49 | Kansas | $28,591 | $13.75 |
| 50 | Iowa | $29,958 | $14.40 |
| 51 | Missouri | $36,630 | $17.61 |
The highest-paying cities for vocational education teachers are San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, and New Haven, CT.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $54,921 | $26.40 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $54,135 | $26.03 |
| 3 | New Haven, CT | $52,542 | $25.26 |
| 4 | Arlington, VA | $49,547 | $23.82 |
| 5 | Daytona Beach, FL | $45,761 | $22.00 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | $44,948 | $21.61 |
| 7 | Chicago, IL | $30,951 | $14.88 |
A vocational education teacher's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $69,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| Average | $46,598 | $3,883 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
The highest paying types of vocational education teachers are precision machining instructor, auto mechanics instructor, and auto collision repair instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Technology Instructor | $51,809 | $4,317 | $24.91 | 112,856 |
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
Top companies hiring vocational education teachers now:
Vocational education teacher salaries at JCYC and AdvancED are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average vocational education teacher salary at companies like Marymount University and San Joaquin Co Altern Prog are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JCYC | $45,754 | $22.00 |
| 2 | AdvancED | $45,302 | $21.78 |
| 3 | Marymount University | $45,044 | $21.66 |
| 4 | San Joaquin Co Altern Prog | $40,446 | $19.45 |
The average vocational education teacher salary has risen by $5,820 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average vocational education teacher earned $40,778 annually, but today, they earn $46,598 a year. That works out to a 9% change in pay for vocational education teachers over the last decade.
Compare vocational education teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare vocational education teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $46,600 | $22.40 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | $46,000 | $22.13 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $44,900 | $21.61 | +2.6% |
| 2022 | $43,800 | $21.04 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $42,800 | $20.56 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon Public Schools | Teacher-Cte/Manufacturing Cte/Vocational Education/Manufacturing Teacher | Newport, OR | 06/12/2025 | $53,446 |
| Lincoln County School District | Cte/Vocational Education/Manufacturing Teacher | Ione, OR | 05/24/2025 | $53,446 |
| NHPS | Vocational Education Teacher (Carpentry/Woodwork School Year | New Haven, CT | 03/06/2025 | $51,421 |
| Study Select | Vocational Education and Training (VET) Teacher | Ione, WA | 02/16/2025 | $98,402 |
| Delta Immigration Consulting Group | Vocational Education Teacher | Delaware | 12/16/2024 | $73,150 |
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