Woodworking teacher jobs are jobs teaching woodworking, carpentry or cabinetmaking in high schools, colleges, trade schools and community workshops. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) counts school and college shop teachers under career and technical education (CTE) teachers, an occupation with 250,200 jobs in 2025 across all technical subjects. Instructors who teach hobby classes are counted under self-enrichment teachers.
This guide covers the main types of woodworking teaching jobs, the qualifications each needs, what they pay, the job outlook and its causes, and how to find openings. Figures come from the BLS and were checked in October 2026.
Types of Woodworking Teaching Jobs
High School Shop Teachers
CTE teachers in middle and high schools teach general concepts in a classroom and practical exercises in workshops. The BLS says that in most states, teachers in middle and high schools teach one subject within a career field. For woodworking teachers, the subject may be woodworking itself or a related field such as construction.
Community College and Trade School Instructors
CTE teachers in postsecondary schools teach specific job skills that help students earn a certificate, diploma or associate’s degree and prepare for a particular job. For woodworking, this can include programs in carpentry, cabinetmaking, CNC machining or boat building.
Community Workshop and Hobby Instructors
Instructors who teach woodworking classes for personal interest, such as at makerspaces, community centers or woodworking stores, fall under self-enrichment teachers. This is a large occupation covering all hobby subjects, from cooking to music.
What Woodworking Teachers Do
According to the BLS, CTE teachers typically:
- Create lesson plans and assignments.
- Teach students how to develop specific skills.
- Show students how to apply what they learn through hands-on activities.
- Demonstrate and supervise the safe and proper use of tools and equipment.
- Monitor progress, assign tasks and grade work.
- Develop and enforce classroom rules and safety procedures.
The BLS notes that some CTE teachers work with local businesses to give students practical work experience, and advise student career organizations. For woodworking teachers, running a safe shop is a central part of the job.
Qualifications
School and College Teachers
The BLS says CTE teachers typically need at least a bachelor’s degree and work experience in the subject they teach. Many need years of experience in their field before moving into teaching.
Public schools may require a state teaching certification or license. Requirements vary by state but generally include:
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average
- A student-teaching program
- A background check
- A general teaching test and a test in the subject area
The BLS notes that some states offer alternative routes to certification for people who have a bachelor’s degree or work experience in their field but have not taken education courses. These programs typically cover teaching methods, lesson planning and classroom management. This route can suit experienced woodworkers and carpenters who want to teach.
Teachers who prepare students for an occupation that requires a credential may need to hold that credential themselves. More than 140 school woodworking programs are members of the Woodwork Career Alliance, so familiarity with its credentials can be useful. See our guide to woodworking certifications.
Hobby Instructors
Community workshops and stores set their own requirements. Expect to show your woodworking skill, examples of your work and how you would run a class safely.
Pay
The BLS gives these figures for May 2025:
| Occupation | Median annual wage | Lowest 10% | Highest 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTE teachers, secondary school | $66,270 | Less than $50,040 | More than $101,340 |
| CTE teachers, postsecondary | $63,820 | Less than $41,960 | More than $108,620 |
| Self-enrichment teachers | $46,800 | Less than $30,050 | More than $92,840 |
The median is the wage at which half the workers earned more and half earned less. These figures cover teachers of all technical or hobby subjects, not only woodworking.
Work Schedules
The BLS says CTE teachers in middle and high schools generally work during school hours and usually follow a 10-month school year with a summer break. Postsecondary CTE teachers may teach evening and weekend classes.
Where the Jobs Are
The BLS lists the largest employers of CTE teachers in 2025 as local elementary and secondary schools (47%), state and local colleges (21%), private technical and trade schools (16%) and private colleges (5%).
For secondary CTE teachers, the states with the most jobs in May 2025 were Texas (32,250), New York (7,610), Florida (6,820), Ohio (5,130) and Pennsylvania (4,840). For postsecondary CTE teachers, they were Texas (12,620), California (11,040), Florida (7,600), North Carolina (6,510) and New York (5,250).
Job Outlook
The BLS projects little or no change in employment of CTE teachers from 2025 to 2035. It still projects about 15,500 openings a year, mostly to replace teachers who retire or change careers.
What Is Holding Growth Back
- More academic requirements. The BLS says interest in CTE programs is likely to be tempered as schools require students to take more academic classes.
- Fewer students. The number of middle and high school students is expected to decline, and the BLS also expects fewer high school graduates.
- Shifting enrollment. In its projections, the BLS notes that enrollment at junior colleges is shifting from some CTE courses toward fields such as communications, design, healthcare and public service.
- Funding. Public schools often depend on government funding for CTE programs, and budget cuts can limit jobs.
Self-enrichment teachers are projected to grow by 3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
How to Find Woodworking Teaching Jobs
- Check school district job boards. Search for CTE, industrial arts, construction or woodworking teacher.
- Look at community colleges and trade schools. Search for carpentry, cabinetmaking or construction trades instructor.
- Contact your state education department. Ask about CTE certification and alternative routes for people with industry experience.
- Approach makerspaces and woodworking stores. Offer to teach a beginner class, with photos of your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to teach woodworking?
For public school and college CTE jobs, usually yes. The BLS says CTE teachers typically need a bachelor’s degree, although some states offer alternative routes for people with work experience. Hobby classes often do not require a degree.
How much do woodworking teachers make?
The BLS median for secondary school CTE teachers was $66,270 in May 2025, and $63,820 for postsecondary CTE teachers. These figures cover all technical subjects.
Can a professional woodworker become a teacher?
Yes. The BLS notes that many CTE teachers spend years working in their field before teaching, and some states offer alternative certification for people with industry experience.
Related Guides
- Woodworking Jobs: Types, Pay and How to Get Started
- Woodworking Certifications Employers Recognize
- Woodworking Apprenticeships: How to Find and Apply
Sources: BLS – Career and Technical Education Teachers, BLS – OEWS Profiles, May 2025, BLS – Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail and BLS – Factors Affecting Occupational Utilization, 2025–35.
