How to Become a CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) in Alabama: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median career and technical education teacher salary in Alabama is $59,470 per year - 10% below the national median of $66,270 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in career & technical education or your trade field + teacher certification.
CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) Salary in Alabama
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama entry level (10th percentile) | $53,230 |
| Alabama 25th-75th percentile | $59,390 - $62,280 |
| Alabama median | $59,470 |
| Alabama top earners (90th percentile) | $62,290 |
| U.S. median | $66,270 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: n/a.
The Alabama Job Market: CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Mean annual wage in Alabama | $60,110 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Requirements in Alabama
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in career & technical education or your trade field + teacher certification - while licensing runs through Alabama’s own boards: State teaching certificate; many states offer alternative CTE routes crediting trade experience. Verify current requirements with the Alabama licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become a CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher).
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $50,040 |
| 25th | $60,590 |
| 50th (median) | $66,270 |
| 75th | $80,060 |
| 90th | $101,340 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 103,400 |
| 2034 projected | 101,500 |
| Percent change | -1.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a career and technical education teacher make in Alabama?
The median annual wage for career/technical education teachers, secondary school in Alabama is $59,470 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 10% below the national median of $66,270.
How do I become a career and technical education teacher in Alabama?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in career & technical education or your trade field + teacher certification - with licensing administered at the state level: State teaching certificate; many states offer alternative CTE routes crediting trade experience. See the steps below.
CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) in Nearby States
- CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) in Wisconsin
- CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) in Wyoming
- CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) in Alaska
- CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) in Arizona
Related
- How to Become a CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) (national guide)
- All Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School (SOC 25-2032), Alabama and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |