California Median
$80,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $66,270
State Rank
#6 of 49
3,260 employed here
How much does a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School make in California?
A Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School working in California earns a median salary of $80,620 per year, or about $38.76 per hour. That is 22% above the national median of $66,270 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $60,590 while the top 10% make $126,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,330 and $102,510 a year.
Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,590 | $29.13 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $64,330 | $30.93 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $80,620 | $38.76 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $102,510 | $49.28 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $126,170 | $60.66 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 6th out of 49 states and territories for Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in other states
Washington $101,180Connecticut $100,810Massachusetts $98,020New Jersey $83,770Rhode Island $81,820New York $79,820Delaware $79,230Ohio $79,230Vermont $79,220Georgia $78,760Oregon $78,380Maryland $78,320Alaska $78,130Maine $78,050Illinois $77,950Michigan $77,400New Hampshire $76,320Pennsylvania $75,760Virginia $75,580Wisconsin $74,310Colorado $72,750Utah $72,380South Carolina $72,120Minnesota $71,650New Mexico $66,750Texas $64,610Nevada $64,510Nebraska $63,180Arizona $62,980Wyoming $62,570Florida $62,140Arkansas $61,780Tennessee $61,700North Dakota $61,500Louisiana $61,300Kentucky $61,130Idaho $60,510Alabama $59,470Missouri $59,300Oklahoma $58,800North Carolina $58,600Kansas $58,300Mississippi $57,910West Virginia $57,760Iowa $57,660Indiana $56,390South Dakota $56,070Montana $55,190
Working as a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School in California
Nationally, about 111,000 people work as Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($80,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School make in California?
The median Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in California is $80,620 per year, or about $38.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,590 at the entry level to $126,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School about 22% more than the national median of $66,270. California ranks 6th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $80,620 a year. About 3,260 Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.