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Vocational Instructor Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Vocational Instructor Position at Wildwood Correctional Center Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for ... Driver's License Preferred RECRUITMENT DIFFICULTIES Starting salary may be approved up to Step D ...

Vocational Instructor Position at Wildwood Correctional Center Effective July 1, 2026 the wage for ... Driver's License Preferred RECRUITMENT DIFFICULTIES Starting salary may be approved up to Step D ...

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Vocational Instructor Salary information

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$28K

$51.8K

$73K

How much do vocational instructor salary jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for vocational instructor salary in the United States is $51,783.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,000.00 and $61,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the average salary of a vocational instructor?

The average salary of a vocational instructor varies based on location, level of experience, and the specific trade or subject taught. In the United States, vocational instructors typically earn between $45,000 and $65,000 per year. Those working in postsecondary institutions or with specialized expertise may earn higher wages, while those in smaller schools or less in-demand trades may earn less. Benefits, work schedule, and opportunities for advancement can also influence total compensation. It's important to research local job listings and industry trends for the most current salary information.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vocational instructor?

To thrive as a Vocational Instructor, you need expertise in your trade or industry, a relevant certification or degree, and often a teaching credential. Familiarity with curriculum development software, learning management systems, and industry-specific tools is typically required. Strong communication, patience, and the ability to motivate and mentor diverse learners set outstanding instructors apart. These skills ensure students gain practical, job-ready abilities and succeed in their chosen careers.

What are the typical challenges vocational instructors face when adapting curriculum to meet industry standards?

Vocational Instructors often encounter the challenge of keeping course content aligned with rapidly evolving industry technologies and practices. This requires continuous professional development and close collaboration with industry partners to ensure students gain relevant, up-to-date skills. Balancing administrative duties, hands-on instruction, and individualized student support can also be demanding. However, staying engaged with employers and regularly updating instructional materials can help instructors maintain curriculum relevance and student success.

What is the difference between Vocational Instructor Salary vs Technical Trainer Salary?

AspectVocational Instructor SalaryTechnical Trainer Salary
Required CredentialsTypically requires a vocational or technical certification and teaching credentialsRequires technical expertise, often with certifications in specific technologies or skills
Work EnvironmentEducational institutions, vocational schools, community collegesCorporate training departments, technical colleges, private companies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in education and training sectors focused on skill developmentUsed in corporate and industry-specific training settings

Both Vocational Instructors and Technical Trainers focus on skill development, but Vocational Instructors typically work in educational settings with formal certifications, while Technical Trainers often operate within corporate environments, emphasizing industry-specific skills.

What does a vocational instructor do?

A vocational instructor teaches students practical skills and knowledge in specific trades or technical fields, such as carpentry, healthcare, or automotive repair. They develop lesson plans, demonstrate techniques, assess student progress, and often hold industry certifications to ensure students are prepared for employment. Vocational instructors typically work in technical schools, community colleges, or training centers and may require relevant industry experience and teaching credentials.
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What cities are hiring for Vocational Instructor Salary jobs?

Cities with the most Vocational Instructor Salary job openings:

What states have the most Vocational Instructor Salary jobs?

States with the most job openings for Vocational Instructor Salary jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Vocational Instructor Salary jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Vocational Instructor Salary jobs are:

Infographic showing various Vocational Instructor Salary job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,783 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

Vocational Instructor

Department of State Hospitals

Patton, CA โ€ข On-site

$5.5K - $9.5K/mo

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

Patton State Hospital, Human Resources is accepting applications for at least one (1) Permanent, Full-Time appointment to the Vocational Instructor (Landscape Gardening-Safety) position. The Vocational Instructor is under the direction of the Program Assistant, Education of Enhancement Services. The position being filled is subject to budgetary and operational approval.
Under direction, the Vocational Instructor provides group and individual vocational instruction and treatment to forensic patients. Duties include facilitating vocational education topics (e.g., job seeking skills, small business operations), developing training and placement plans, mentoring patients through the rehabilitation process, and supporting employment readiness and independent living skills.
The incumbent must possess the ability to perform the duties of a journey-level professional in their field of specialty. Instructors are expected to provide leadership and motivation to forensic patients; teach and supervise assigned individuals; work effectively with multidisciplinary teams; read and interpret drawings and sketches; estimate and order supplies; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; maintain fair and firm discipline; and maintain records and prepare reports. The incumbent ensures compliance with hospital safety and security procedures and collaborates with the vocational team to maintain a safe and therapeutic environment.
The ideal candidate demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, and effective communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, and Excel are required.
Credential: Possession of a valid California teaching credential which authorizes the holder to teach, on a full-time basis, a vocational course in the appropriate subject specialty or Industrial Arts subspecialty. Applicants who do not possess this credential may take the examination, but must meet the requirements and have an application on file with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the appropriate credential before an appointment can be made and must secure the credential within 120 working days after appointment. After issuance, the credential must be maintained by completion of any required examinations of course work.
The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired
In order to gain list eligibility and be appointed to the Vocational Instructor (Landscape Gardening-Safety) classification, please follow the link below to the exam bulletin. Failure to take the exam will result in your application not moving forward in our process. Please follow the directions carefully: Vocational Instructor (Landscape Gardening-Safety) Exam Bulletin
Applicants that meet the recruitment criteria should submit an application to Human Resources - Employment Unit no later than Friday, August 28, 2026.
All applicants may be pre-screened for breadth and depth of experience. Only the most qualified applicants may be interviewed based on screening criteria. For this reason, it is especially important that applicants take special care in thoroughly and accurately completing the application.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Patton is a forensic psychiatric hospital and was established in 1890 and opened in 1893. DSH-Patton provides treatment to forensically and civilly committed patients within a secure treatment area. The hospital does not accept voluntary admissions.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
  • VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY)
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-528751
Position #(s):
502-480-2436-XXX
Working Title:
Vocational Instructor
Classification:
VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY) $5,505.00 - $7,233.00 A
$5,758.00 - $7,567.00 B
$6,034.00 - $7,926.00 C
$6,319.00 - $8,304.00 D
$6,617.00 - $8,694.00 E
$6,935.00 - $9,569.00 F
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
San Bernardino County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Department of State Hospitals - Patton
Department Information
DSH - Patton
3102 E. Highland Avenue
Patton, CA 92369
http://www.dsh.ca.gov
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov
Special Requirements
  • The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.
  • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
  • The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

Unless there is a specific request to be notified via USPS mail, our main contact will be via email. Email correspondence regarding this job posting will primarily come from PattonHREmploymentUnit@dsh.ca.gov . It is the applicant's responsibility to check their email inbox, including junk/spam emails for any correspondence regarding their application status. In addition, applicants are encouraged to keep their CalCareers profile updated with a current telephone number, mailing address, and email.
For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Examination/ Employment Application (STD. 678) including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYY). Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.
A completed STD. 678 and any other relevant documents (e.g., unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers account. Please reference Job Control #528751 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e., social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.
Complete Application Packages (including your STD. 678 and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareers account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov . Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application. Applicants will be disqualified from the interview process if the STD Form 678 is incomplete. That includes job titles, job duties, work address, time worked at that position, supervisor name, and supervisor phone number.
***Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 8/28/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of State Hospitals
Department of State Hospitals - Patton
Attn: Human Resources-Employment Unit
3102 East Highland Avenue
Patton , CA 92369
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of State Hospitals
Department of State Hospitals - Patton
Human Resources-Employment Unit
3102 East Highland Avenue
Patton , CA 92369
HR is closed on weekends and holidays
07:00 AM - 04:30 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications -
    The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be typed, single spaced, no more than one page, and in 12-point Arial font. Include your first and last name, position title, and "Statement of Qualifications". Restate and number each question in the order listed. Resumes, applications, or other materials will not substitute for the SOQ. Please address the following questions:
  • Provide a brief statement about your education, relevant training, and further describe your experience and knowledge in finding, evaluating, and referencing information. As well as your ability to prepare comprehensive reports and present ideas clearly and concisely in written and oral form.
  • Describe your experience prioritizing multiple high-level assignments and provide an example of how you were able to complete the assignments with conflicting deadlines.
  • Describe your experience in presenting information to a large audience and provide examples of the information you presented.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Benefits
Please review the Benefits Summary that may also be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website. You will find information on the benefits afforded by membership in the Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act, and salary ranges and a summary of the Vocational Instructor (Landscape Gardening-Safety) classification.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources-Employment Unit
(909) 742-5550
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Rachel Guerrero
(909) 742-5243
Rachel.Guerrero@dsh.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.