Career/Technical Education Teacher, Secondary School Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
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 levelAnnual salaryHourly 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:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$101,180
2Connecticut$100,810
3Massachusetts$98,020
4New Jersey$83,770
5Rhode Island$81,820

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.