Special education teacher salary
BLS occupation: Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School · also called elementary special education teacher · Education and libraries · data for May 2025
Median salary $65,120 a year, US
Median hourly pay Paid yearly
Middle half earn $59,710–$80,280 25th to 75th percentile
Special education teachers employed 260,870 −0.4% projected by 2035
How much does a special education teacher make?
- The median special education teacher salary in the US is $65,120 a year: half of the 260,870 special education teachers BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $72,650.
- The middle half earn between $59,710 and $80,280. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $49,350 and the top 10% more than $103,010.
- That is 28% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- The District of Columbia pays special education teachers the most (median $97,910), followed by California ($97,170) and Washington ($95,040). West Virginia pays the least ($50,380).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia, where the median is worth $89,089 in typical US prices, then Washington and California.
- In 193 of the 326 metro areas with data, the median special education teacher salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of special education teachers to shrink 0.4% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 16,400 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what special education teachers are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Special education teacher salary range
Half of special education teachers earn between $59,710 and $80,280 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $49,350
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $59,710
Median Yearly pay: $65,120
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $80,280
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $103,010
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $49,350 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $59,710 |
| Median | $65,120 |
| Top 25% earn over | $80,280 |
| Top 10% earn over | $103,010 |
Special education teacher salary by state
The District of Columbia pays special education teachers the most; West Virginia the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($65,120), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 median |
| California | $97,170 median |
| Washington | $95,040 median |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 median |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 median |
| Connecticut | $82,950 median |
| New York | $81,260 median |
| Alaska | $80,230 median |
| Maryland | $78,850 median |
| Illinois | $77,960 median |
| Oregon | $77,700 median |
| New Jersey | $76,660 median |
| New Mexico | $76,420 median |
| Michigan | $74,600 median |
| Colorado | $74,290 median |
| Vermont | $74,200 median |
| Ohio | $73,970 median |
| Georgia | $72,880 median |
| Pennsylvania | $72,680 median |
| Virginia | $67,740 median |
| Minnesota | $67,620 median |
| Delaware | $65,990 median |
| New Hampshire | $65,160 median |
| Nevada | $65,110 median |
| Alabama | $64,520 median |
| Idaho | $63,610 median |
| Tennessee | $62,560 median |
| Nebraska | $62,420 median |
| South Carolina | $62,360 median |
| Texas | $62,330 median |
| Maine | $61,880 median |
| Wisconsin | $61,520 median |
| Utah | $61,290 median |
| Hawaii | $60,940 median |
| Wyoming | $60,930 median |
| Iowa | $60,440 median |
| Kentucky | $60,060 median |
| Kansas | $59,970 median |
| Florida | $58,850 median |
| Louisiana | $58,800 median |
| Indiana | $58,760 median |
| North Carolina | $58,260 median |
| North Dakota | $57,950 median |
| Montana | $57,630 median |
| Missouri | $57,260 median |
| Arizona | $56,030 median |
| Arkansas | $54,290 median |
| South Dakota | $51,090 median |
| Oklahoma | $50,630 median |
| Mississippi | $50,570 median |
| West Virginia | $50,380 median |
Where special education teacher pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Special education teachers' pay goes furthest in the District of Columbia once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $89,089 |
| Washington | $88,812 |
| California | $87,762 |
| Massachusetts | $86,377 |
| New Mexico | $82,874 |
| Rhode Island | $82,421 |
| Connecticut | $80,060 |
| Ohio | $79,731 |
| Alaska | $78,381 |
| Illinois | $77,993 |
Special education teacher pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 | $65,450 | $128,370 | 1,070 | $89,089 |
| California | $97,170 | $63,180 | $123,590 | 23,280 | $87,762 |
| Washington | $95,040 | $65,950 | $126,570 | 3,450 | $88,812 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 | $61,200 | $127,210 | 7,220 | $86,377 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 | $60,420 | $98,170 | 1,070 | $82,421 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 | $58,560 | $107,040 | 2,810 | $80,060 |
| New York | $81,260 | $59,460 | $133,280 | 21,130 | $75,296 |
| Alaska | $80,230 | $58,690 | $97,820 | 320 | $78,381 |
| Maryland | $78,850 | $60,720 | $121,310 | 2,760 | $75,125 |
| Illinois | $77,960 | $49,790 | $104,490 | 14,040 | $77,993 |
| Oregon | $77,700 | $58,620 | $105,820 | 1,520 | $75,173 |
| New Jersey | $76,660 | $61,710 | $103,680 | 11,610 | $70,456 |
| New Mexico | $76,420 | $58,110 | $100,460 | 880 | $82,874 |
| Michigan | $74,600 | $48,720 | $100,370 | 4,010 | $77,533 |
| Colorado | $74,290 | $50,700 | $98,480 | 4,010 | $72,090 |
| Vermont | $74,200 | $49,730 | $97,620 | 770 | $75,747 |
| Ohio | $73,970 | $46,870 | $99,490 | 9,550 | $79,731 |
| Georgia | $72,880 | $49,510 | $98,750 | 9,370 | $75,686 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,680 | $51,730 | $98,170 | 7,640 | $74,489 |
| Virginia | $67,740 | $50,830 | $101,120 | 7,440 | $67,000 |
| Minnesota | $67,620 | $49,050 | $96,240 | 3,960 | $68,566 |
| Delaware | $65,990 | $51,350 | $95,500 | 1,070 | $66,117 |
| New Hampshire | $65,160 | $44,620 | $89,080 | 1,110 | $62,555 |
| Nevada | $65,110 | $47,810 | $93,550 | 430 | $65,124 |
| Alabama | $64,520 | $50,510 | $77,150 | 870 | $72,639 |
| Idaho | $63,610 | $48,670 | $86,370 | 620 | $66,612 |
| Tennessee | $62,560 | $49,860 | $79,360 | 3,910 | $68,096 |
| Nebraska | $62,420 | $47,430 | $79,470 | 1,900 | $69,276 |
| South Carolina | $62,360 | $49,540 | $79,150 | 2,950 | $66,518 |
| Texas | $62,330 | $50,030 | $74,240 | 56,760 | $64,220 |
| Maine | $61,880 | $45,620 | $79,390 | 1,320 | $63,761 |
| Wisconsin | $61,520 | $47,940 | $79,210 | 4,280 | $65,381 |
| Utah | $61,290 | $37,970 | $100,280 | 1,890 | $61,994 |
| Hawaii | $60,940 | $58,730 | $78,760 | 1,270 | $55,425 |
| Wyoming | $60,930 | $52,200 | $77,070 | 650 | $65,735 |
| Iowa | $60,440 | $47,490 | $77,260 | 2,560 | $68,868 |
| Kentucky | $60,060 | $46,070 | $75,560 | 3,710 | $66,616 |
| Kansas | $59,970 | $48,830 | $75,940 | 1,610 | $66,583 |
| Florida | $58,850 | $51,730 | $74,160 | 8,740 | $56,907 |
| Louisiana | $58,800 | $46,690 | $71,620 | 4,000 | $66,661 |
| Indiana | $58,760 | $46,730 | $78,490 | 3,640 | $62,960 |
| North Carolina | $58,260 | $44,720 | $73,990 | 4,430 | $61,765 |
| North Dakota | $57,950 | $47,060 | $77,150 | 590 | $65,142 |
| Montana | $57,630 | $42,890 | $78,930 | 560 | $60,891 |
| Missouri | $57,260 | $43,880 | $83,330 | 2,860 | $63,050 |
| Arizona | $56,030 | $46,400 | $75,420 | 2,450 | $55,653 |
| Arkansas | $54,290 | $49,890 | $63,630 | 1,430 | $62,448 |
| South Dakota | $51,090 | $47,300 | $61,740 | 790 | $57,673 |
| Oklahoma | $50,630 | $43,870 | $73,990 | 2,360 | $57,637 |
| Mississippi | $50,570 | $46,600 | $60,900 | 2,530 | $58,158 |
| West Virginia | $50,380 | $42,890 | $63,460 | 1,690 | $56,292 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Special education teacher salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes special education teacher pay: 329 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Francisco, CA $105,290
- Oxnard, CA $104,810
- Seattle, WA $100,150
- Mount Vernon, WA $99,840
- El Centro, CA $99,020
- Santa Maria, CA $98,940
- San Jose, CA $98,640
- Sacramento, CA $98,330
- Vallejo, CA $98,260
- San Diego, CA $97,860
Where the pay goes furthest
- El Centro, CA $104,041
- Merced, CA $99,049
- Mount Vernon, WA $97,459
- Oxnard, CA $94,822
- Fresno, CA $93,923
- Bellingham, WA $92,525
- Redding, CA $92,189
- Sacramento, CA $92,181
- San Francisco, CA $91,071
- Santa Maria, CA $90,939
All 329 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $105,290 | 3,440 | $91,071 | 39% |
| Oxnard, CA | $104,810 | 490 | $94,822 | 34% |
| Seattle, WA | $100,150 | 1,740 | $90,117 | 27% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $99,840 | 60 | $97,459 | 26% |
| El Centro, CA | $99,020 | 180 | $104,041 | 22% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $98,940 | 300 | $90,939 | 40% |
| San Jose, CA | $98,640 | 790 | $89,329 | 46% |
| Sacramento, CA | $98,330 | 1,700 | $92,181 | 28% |
| Vallejo, CA | $98,260 | 210 | $90,580 | 30% |
| San Diego, CA | $97,860 | 1,970 | $87,463 | 36% |
| Boston, MA | $97,410 | 4,980 | $89,973 | 37% |
| Merced, CA | $97,340 | 160 | $99,049 | 25% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $97,260 | 130 | $89,561 | 35% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $96,970 | 6,410 | $85,386 | 36% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $96,290 | 770 | $90,105 | 36% |
| Fresno, CA | $95,950 | 700 | $93,923 | 26% |
| Bellingham, WA | $95,610 | 110 | $92,525 | 24% |
| Bremerton, WA | $95,040 | 130 | $89,994 | 26% |
| Yuba City, CA | $94,260 | 130 | $90,432 | 26% |
| Napa, CA | $92,970 | 60 | $82,600 | 38% |
| Redding, CA | $92,820 | 170 | $92,189 | 21% |
| Riverside, CA | $91,840 | 3,140 | $86,282 | 33% |
| New York, NY | $91,610 | 22,270 | $81,386 | 46% |
| Chico, CA | $91,510 | 160 | $90,428 | 20% |
| Norwich, CT | $87,550 | 260 | $87,162 | 29% |
| Providence, RI | $85,330 | 1,590 | $83,843 | 30% |
| Kennewick, WA | $85,000 | 170 | $84,933 | 24% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $84,730 | 90 | $84,525 | – |
| Portland, OR | $83,140 | 890 | $78,865 | 26% |
| Yakima, WA | $82,790 | 140 | $86,650 | 20% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $82,590 | 50 | $83,621 | 28% |
| Hartford, CT | $82,180 | 930 | $79,984 | 29% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $81,910 | 250 | $75,995 | 39% |
| Hanford, CA | $81,750 | 150 | $80,453 | 28% |
| Kingston, NY | $81,540 | 170 | $80,966 | 30% |
| Worcester, MA | $81,330 | 960 | $79,329 | 31% |
| Barnstable, MA | $81,250 | 160 | $82,612 | 38% |
| Olympia, WA | $81,150 | 140 | $78,277 | 30% |
| Baltimore, MD | $81,140 | 1,360 | $77,656 | 29% |
| Bend, OR | $81,050 | 80 | $78,228 | 33% |
| Boulder, CO | $80,920 | 280 | $76,919 | 33% |
| Longview, WA | $80,800 | 60 | $82,834 | 21% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $80,730 | 640 | $73,779 | 34% |
| Modesto, CA | $80,570 | 270 | $77,391 | 31% |
| Salem, OR | $80,110 | 180 | $77,290 | 25% |
| Springfield, MA | $79,970 | 600 | $83,249 | 29% |
| Washington, DC | $79,880 | 5,110 | $73,362 | 36% |
| Stockton, CA | $79,760 | 400 | $75,898 | 37% |
| Chicago, IL | $79,690 | 11,210 | $76,925 | 33% |
| Denver, CO | $79,310 | 2,110 | $74,975 | 29% |
| Spokane, WA | $79,220 | 260 | $78,947 | 23% |
| New Haven, CT | $79,150 | 460 | $75,699 | 31% |
| Detroit, MI | $78,980 | 1,920 | $78,745 | 23% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $78,670 | 330 | $82,337 | 23% |
| Lancaster, PA | $78,470 | 340 | $79,862 | 24% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $78,330 | 1,750 | $79,977 | 29% |
| Atlanta, GA | $77,960 | 5,860 | $77,915 | 28% |
| Waterbury, CT | $77,930 | 270 | $78,103 | – |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $77,840 | 540 | $77,170 | 25% |
| Burlington, VT | $77,740 | 240 | $77,009 | 40% |
| Corvallis, OR | $77,700 | 30 | $74,699 | 28% |
| Eugene, OR | $77,460 | 120 | $76,264 | 27% |
| Saginaw, MI | $77,430 | 100 | $85,190 | 16% |
| Springfield, IL | $77,430 | 150 | $83,487 | 19% |
| Trenton, NJ | $77,240 | 440 | $74,859 | 39% |
| Reading, PA | $77,230 | 280 | $79,569 | 24% |
| Albany, NY | $77,210 | 710 | $77,547 | 26% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $76,940 | 60 | $81,082 | 26% |
| Akron, OH | $76,760 | 540 | $82,211 | 20% |
| Springfield, OH | $76,580 | 110 | $84,636 | 19% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $76,450 | 420 | $77,334 | 32% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $76,320 | 2,340 | $72,809 | 27% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $76,190 | 120 | $75,615 | 32% |
| York, PA | $76,120 | 300 | $79,292 | 22% |
| Farmington, NM | $75,830 | 40 | $86,458 | 22% |
| Columbus, OH | $75,710 | 2,330 | $79,303 | 24% |
| Syracuse, NY | $75,690 | 560 | $79,056 | 26% |
| Portland, ME | $75,340 | 450 | $73,966 | 37% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $75,250 | 800 | $74,589 | 29% |
| Dayton, OH | $75,240 | 430 | $81,170 | 21% |
| Allentown, PA | $75,190 | 530 | $75,214 | 29% |
| Lansing, MI | $75,080 | 170 | $79,039 | 21% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $74,860 | 60 | $72,081 | 28% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $74,470 | 170 | $82,550 | 24% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $74,290 | 5,660 | $72,440 | 31% |
| Cleveland, OH | $73,630 | 810 | $78,394 | 23% |
| Battle Creek, MI | $73,380 | 30 | $81,046 | 19% |
| Jackson, MI | $72,910 | 40 | $79,441 | 20% |
| Rockford, IL | $72,910 | 300 | $79,118 | 21% |
| Canton, OH | $72,440 | 290 | $81,024 | 19% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $72,080 | 140 | $76,853 | 25% |
| Buffalo, NY | $71,570 | 1,290 | $74,673 | 24% |
| Medford, OR | $70,910 | 90 | $69,908 | 31% |
| Montgomery, AL | $70,790 | 80 | $78,934 | 23% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $70,790 | 180 | $80,781 | 21% |
| Youngstown, OH | $70,780 | 260 | $80,990 | 18% |
| Vineland, NJ | $70,120 | 220 | $73,066 | 28% |
| Hinesville, GA | $67,650 | 50 | $72,019 | 31% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $67,510 | 80 | $71,332 | 24% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $66,960 | 170 | $72,158 | 21% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $66,710 | 230 | $66,128 | 34% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $66,500 | 80 | $67,845 | 36% |
| Duluth, MN | $66,420 | 180 | $74,824 | 24% |
| Binghamton, NY | $66,300 | 330 | $71,395 | 29% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $66,000 | 150 | $65,858 | 31% |
| Niles, MI | $65,970 | 50 | $71,419 | 26% |
| Flint, MI | $65,860 | 130 | $70,791 | 19% |
| Rochester, MN | $65,620 | 200 | $72,252 | 29% |
| Decatur, IL | $65,390 | 40 | $73,952 | 19% |
| Nashville, TN | $65,170 | 1,030 | $67,647 | 33% |
| Houston, TX | $65,080 | 12,680 | $65,985 | 30% |
| Dallas, TX | $64,830 | 15,810 | $62,887 | 31% |
| Daphne, AL | $64,750 | 50 | $68,381 | 32% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $64,640 | 440 | $65,525 | 27% |
| Memphis, TN | $64,640 | 1,330 | $70,124 | 26% |
| Toledo, OH | $64,580 | 790 | $70,614 | 23% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $64,540 | 90 | $67,598 | 32% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $64,460 | 140 | $67,777 | 33% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $64,430 | 2,020 | $67,558 | 28% |
| Utica, NY | $64,280 | 260 | $69,358 | 27% |
| Madison, WI | $64,270 | 660 | $66,062 | 33% |
| Salisbury, MD | $64,270 | 60 | $67,216 | 36% |
| Bloomington, IL | $64,250 | 270 | $68,689 | 24% |
| Charleston, SC | $64,230 | 480 | $63,618 | 38% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $64,220 | 110 | $67,714 | 24% |
| Grand Island, NE | $64,080 | 80 | $73,947 | 25% |
| Lima, OH | $64,020 | 140 | $71,396 | 23% |
| Anniston, AL | $64,010 | 40 | $74,474 | 18% |
| El Paso, TX | $64,000 | 2,380 | $71,181 | 29% |
| Mobile, AL | $63,850 | 100 | $72,476 | 24% |
| La Crosse, WI | $63,750 | 140 | $69,468 | 25% |
| Gainesville, GA | $63,650 | 130 | $65,777 | 32% |
| Twin Falls, ID | $63,600 | 40 | $69,049 | 29% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $63,590 | 60 | $67,354 | 27% |
| Albany, OR | $63,510 | 50 | $62,204 | 31% |
| Ames, IA | $63,480 | 70 | $71,462 | 22% |
| Boise, ID | $63,480 | 210 | $64,518 | 36% |
| Elkhart, IN | $63,430 | 40 | $70,224 | 22% |
| Mansfield, OH | $63,400 | 70 | $71,339 | 17% |
| Elmira, NY | $63,370 | 70 | $67,131 | 22% |
| Columbia, SC | $63,270 | 300 | $67,551 | 30% |
| Augusta, GA | $63,220 | 360 | $68,790 | 28% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $63,220 | 580 | $69,120 | 29% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $63,200 | 990 | $66,758 | 28% |
| St. Louis, MO | $63,190 | 1,380 | $66,454 | 27% |
| Roanoke, VA | $63,160 | 290 | $67,466 | 27% |
| Greeley, CO | $63,150 | 140 | $63,039 | 32% |
| North Port, FL | $63,140 | 190 | $61,650 | 40% |
| Pueblo, CO | $63,010 | 120 | $68,667 | 25% |
| Billings, MT | $63,000 | 120 | $67,361 | 26% |
| Omaha, NE | $62,970 | 750 | $68,512 | 27% |
| Glens Falls, NY | $62,920 | 130 | $66,325 | 28% |
| State College, PA | $62,730 | 70 | $64,829 | 37% |
| McAllen, TX | $62,600 | 1,530 | $72,880 | 21% |
| Monroe, MI | $62,580 | 40 | $66,936 | 24% |
| Johnson City, TN | $62,560 | 80 | $71,149 | 29% |
| Ogden, UT | $62,440 | 530 | $62,223 | 31% |
| Altoona, PA | $62,430 | 50 | $69,749 | 19% |
| Reno, NV | $62,370 | 240 | $61,744 | 40% |
| Huntsville, AL | $62,350 | 150 | $66,991 | 27% |
| Louisville, KY | $62,340 | 790 | $66,979 | 26% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $62,340 | 290 | $68,467 | 28% |
| Champaign, IL | $62,320 | 160 | $67,225 | 27% |
| Richmond, VA | $62,310 | 910 | $63,674 | 33% |
| San Antonio, TX | $62,230 | 3,670 | $65,702 | 27% |
| Traverse City, MI | $62,230 | 80 | $66,647 | 36% |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $62,230 | 90 | $70,940 | 32% |
| Wheeling, WV | $62,200 | 130 | $70,423 | 17% |
| Killeen, TX | $62,190 | 700 | $68,242 | 25% |
| Florence, SC | $62,180 | 80 | $71,657 | 29% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $62,110 | 960 | $64,073 | 30% |
| Weirton, WV | $62,020 | 90 | $69,667 | 16% |
| Scranton, PA | $61,940 | 290 | $66,206 | 26% |
| Lincoln, NE | $61,930 | 280 | $67,623 | 25% |
| Ithaca, NY | $61,910 | 80 | $59,922 | 39% |
| Kenosha, WI | $61,880 | 100 | $61,196 | – |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $61,850 | 390 | $64,733 | 31% |
| Williamsport, PA | $61,830 | 80 | $66,952 | 21% |
| Laredo, TX | $61,780 | 150 | $71,047 | 22% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $61,680 | 210 | $67,518 | 31% |
| Shreveport, LA | $61,610 | 410 | $72,682 | 25% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $61,590 | 170 | $62,121 | 40% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $61,500 | 130 | $68,198 | 24% |
| Lexington, KY | $61,450 | 480 | $66,154 | 31% |
| Brownsville, TX | $61,440 | 1,060 | $71,463 | 29% |
| Iowa City, IA | $61,440 | 120 | $67,141 | 34% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $61,420 | 170 | $60,735 | 39% |
| Kankakee, IL | $61,420 | 110 | $63,718 | 26% |
| Manchester, NH | $61,350 | 270 | $58,065 | 42% |
| Davenport, IA | $61,240 | 320 | $68,748 | 20% |
| Peoria, IL | $61,200 | 290 | $67,082 | 23% |
| Green Bay, WI | $61,170 | 240 | $65,713 | 22% |
| Valdosta, GA | $61,170 | 80 | $69,298 | 26% |
| Erie, PA | $61,160 | 170 | $67,246 | 22% |
| Orlando, FL | $61,100 | 1,690 | $60,246 | 38% |
| Charlotte, NC | $61,050 | 1,390 | $62,713 | 34% |
| Greenville, SC | $61,030 | 380 | $65,441 | 31% |
| Mankato, MN | $61,010 | 70 | $67,077 | 24% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $60,990 | 300 | $61,306 | 33% |
| Johnstown, PA | $60,980 | 90 | $70,966 | 17% |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $60,910 | 110 | $67,250 | 26% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $60,900 | 560 | $60,472 | 35% |
| Raleigh, NC | $60,860 | 1,360 | $62,003 | 33% |
| Cheyenne, WY | $60,800 | 60 | $63,011 | 30% |
| Rapid City, SD | $60,800 | 120 | $68,192 | 29% |
| Sheboygan, WI | $60,790 | 90 | $64,661 | 27% |
| Minot, ND | $60,780 | 60 | $69,840 | 25% |
| Owensboro, KY | $60,760 | 90 | $68,570 | 24% |
| Rochester, NY | $60,760 | 1,320 | $62,617 | 30% |
| Austin, TX | $60,750 | 6,190 | $61,948 | 32% |
| Columbus, GA | $60,680 | 220 | $67,954 | 27% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $60,670 | 80 | $70,007 | 22% |
| Athens, GA | $60,610 | 140 | $64,933 | 35% |
| St. George, UT | $60,590 | 100 | $62,258 | 37% |
| Waco, TX | $60,580 | 500 | $65,457 | 28% |
| Sioux City, IA | $60,570 | 170 | $70,060 | 26% |
| Dover, DE | $60,520 | 210 | $62,067 | 35% |
| Dubuque, IA | $60,470 | 90 | $69,245 | 21% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $60,440 | 700 | $65,220 | 28% |
| Knoxville, TN | $60,390 | 400 | $65,238 | 34% |
| Sherman, TX | $60,390 | 540 | $64,402 | 27% |
| Amarillo, TX | $60,340 | 670 | $65,716 | 26% |
| Appleton, WI | $60,330 | 180 | $65,279 | 24% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $60,310 | 800 | $66,435 | 27% |
| Beaumont, TX | $60,300 | 500 | $66,966 | 26% |
| Topeka, KS | $60,240 | 170 | $67,823 | 25% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $60,220 | 1,030 | $62,928 | 30% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $60,160 | 190 | $67,624 | 24% |
| Lewiston, ME | $60,150 | 170 | $63,492 | 32% |
| Wausau, WI | $60,150 | 90 | $64,921 | 19% |
| Racine, WI | $60,110 | 140 | $62,640 | 29% |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $60,060 | 80 | $65,537 | 23% |
| Greensboro, NC | $60,000 | 270 | $64,610 | 28% |
| New Orleans, LA | $60,000 | 850 | $64,797 | 32% |
| Kansas City, MO | $59,970 | 1,550 | $64,802 | 31% |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $59,790 | 510 | $66,795 | 26% |
| Des Moines, IA | $59,780 | 490 | $65,190 | 26% |
| Muskegon, MI | $59,710 | 60 | $64,538 | 26% |
| Tampa, FL | $59,670 | 460 | $59,144 | 40% |
| Crestview, FL | $59,660 | 120 | $61,486 | 40% |
| Savannah, GA | $59,660 | 290 | $62,664 | 36% |
| Decatur, AL | $59,650 | 50 | $68,397 | 22% |
| Midland, TX | $59,650 | 40 | $62,276 | 32% |
| Waterloo, IA | $59,500 | 180 | $68,346 | 21% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $59,460 | 110 | $64,135 | 33% |
| Dalton, GA | $59,440 | 90 | $66,159 | 28% |
| Wichita, KS | $59,350 | 420 | $66,726 | 24% |
| Oshkosh, WI | $59,280 | 110 | $63,791 | 26% |
| Cleveland, TN | $59,220 | 70 | $67,234 | 29% |
| Janesville, WI | $59,220 | 170 | $63,200 | 26% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $59,130 | 180 | $62,790 | 33% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $59,110 | 120 | $68,822 | 22% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $59,000 | 330 | $63,734 | 26% |
| Michigan City, IN | $58,960 | 60 | $64,309 | 24% |
| Hot Springs, AR | $58,950 | 50 | $68,762 | 25% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $58,930 | 1,430 | $57,039 | 35% |
| Bismarck, ND | $58,880 | 40 | $64,686 | 27% |
| Manhattan, KS | $58,860 | 100 | $65,282 | 26% |
| Lubbock, TX | $58,820 | 570 | $64,413 | 27% |
| Macon, GA | $58,810 | 230 | $66,431 | 25% |
| Watertown, NY | $58,810 | 60 | $67,066 | 31% |
| Longview, TX | $58,650 | 690 | $65,542 | 23% |
| Durham, NC | $58,260 | 330 | $59,710 | 34% |
| Pensacola, FL | $58,090 | 180 | $59,447 | 36% |
| Abilene, TX | $58,080 | 220 | $64,273 | 41% |
| College Station, TX | $58,040 | 430 | $63,815 | 31% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $57,940 | 150 | $64,837 | 27% |
| Victoria, TX | $57,720 | 180 | $64,248 | 24% |
| Houma, LA | $57,660 | 150 | $67,753 | 27% |
| Lawton, OK | $57,630 | 70 | $67,058 | 23% |
| Tyler, TX | $57,610 | 430 | $62,514 | 27% |
| Bangor, ME | $57,570 | 150 | $59,653 | 32% |
| Bloomington, IN | $57,230 | 120 | $60,189 | 37% |
| Muncie, IN | $56,900 | 40 | $64,551 | 22% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $56,790 | 840 | $62,815 | 29% |
| Lakeland, FL | $56,410 | 70 | $58,070 | 39% |
| Little Rock, AR | $56,230 | 400 | $62,922 | 26% |
| South Bend, IN | $56,040 | 150 | $60,350 | 27% |
| Greenville, NC | $55,970 | 90 | $63,313 | 31% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $55,820 | 180 | $60,688 | 31% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $55,750 | 130 | $60,570 | 33% |
| Kingsport, TN | $55,380 | 180 | $64,062 | 29% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $55,220 | 220 | $55,094 | 50% |
| Jonesboro, AR | $54,760 | 60 | $63,766 | 27% |
| Hickory, NC | $54,350 | 120 | $61,422 | 35% |
| Burlington, NC | $53,920 | 70 | $57,857 | 30% |
| Monroe, LA | $53,820 | 40 | $64,380 | 26% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $53,660 | 130 | $58,272 | 35% |
| Miami, FL | $53,250 | 4,240 | $46,647 | 60% |
| Jackson, TN | $52,370 | 110 | $61,236 | 32% |
| Huntington, WV | $52,360 | 390 | $59,216 | 25% |
| Gulfport, MS | $52,290 | 360 | $58,096 | 33% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $51,630 | 300 | $60,138 | 32% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $51,490 | 40 | $59,607 | 23% |
| Terre Haute, IN | $51,320 | 80 | $58,453 | 23% |
| Texarkana, TX | $51,130 | 130 | $60,860 | 29% |
| Evansville, IN | $51,120 | 150 | $55,852 | 26% |
| Jackson, MS | $50,770 | 520 | $57,014 | 35% |
| Tulsa, OK | $50,720 | 580 | $56,852 | 33% |
| Tucson, AZ | $50,660 | 620 | $52,283 | 35% |
| San Angelo, TX | $50,600 | 100 | $54,731 | 31% |
| Goldsboro, NC | $50,420 | 70 | $56,996 | 36% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $50,400 | 230 | $55,610 | 30% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $50,270 | 50 | $56,908 | 44% |
| Charleston, WV | $49,240 | 200 | $55,502 | 29% |
| Joplin, MO | $49,210 | 100 | $57,409 | 30% |
| Wilmington, NC | $49,170 | 230 | $50,995 | 43% |
| Provo, UT | $49,120 | 380 | $50,004 | 43% |
| Paducah, KY | $49,110 | 60 | $57,049 | 28% |
| Lafayette, IN | $49,050 | 170 | $52,499 | 36% |
| Asheville, NC | $49,030 | 80 | $50,805 | 42% |
| Springfield, MO | $48,970 | 180 | $55,280 | 31% |
| Lawrence, KS | $48,930 | 70 | $54,220 | 38% |
| Enid, OK | $48,890 | 30 | $58,017 | 27% |
| Alexandria, LA | $48,710 | 160 | $56,847 | 25% |
| Morgantown, WV | $48,690 | 70 | $52,174 | 33% |
| Yuma, AZ | $48,680 | 80 | $52,510 | 35% |
| Clarksville, TN | $48,440 | 50 | $53,262 | 33% |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $47,910 | 50 | $54,436 | 32% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $47,790 | 140 | $54,534 | 33% |
| Lafayette, LA | $47,710 | 150 | $54,708 | 35% |
| Logan, UT | $47,560 | 100 | $49,579 | 36% |
| Lake Havasu City, AZ | $47,420 | 50 | $50,394 | 39% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $47,300 | 40 | $48,140 | 48% |
| Fargo, ND | $47,070 | 230 | $51,799 | 28% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $46,230 | 50 | $52,549 | 26% |
| Columbia, MO | $46,120 | 80 | $51,566 | 38% |
| Sierra Vista, AZ | $45,600 | 40 | $51,096 | 34% |
| Missoula, MT | $44,420 | 60 | $46,057 | 44% |
What the median special education teacher salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $65,120 |
| Month | $5,427 |
| Every two weeks | $2,505 |
| Week | $1,252 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a special education teacher: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | −0.4% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 16,400 |
| Self-employed | 0.2% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary school teacher | $63,970 | Bachelor's degree |
| Middle school teacher | $64,370 | Bachelor's degree |
| Kindergarten teacher | $62,680 | Bachelor's degree |
| High school teacher | $72,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| Librarian | $68,270 | Master's degree |
| Teacher assistant | $36,780 | Some college |
| Preschool teacher | $38,140 | Associate's degree |
| Substitute teacher | $41,670 | Bachelor's degree |
Questions about special education teacher pay
How much does a special education teacher make an hour?
BLS publishes only yearly pay for special education teachers, because they are usually paid a salary for a school or contract year rather than by the hour. The median is $65,120 a year.
How much does a special education teacher make a month?
About $5,427 a month before taxes at the median salary of $65,120, or $2,505 every two weeks.
What state pays special education teachers the most?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $97,910. California ($97,170), Washington ($95,040), Massachusetts ($91,350) and Rhode Island ($84,300) follow.
Where do special education teachers make the most after cost of living?
The District of Columbia: its median of $97,910 is worth $89,089 at typical US prices. Washington, California and Massachusetts come next.
How much do entry-level special education teachers make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of special education teachers earn under $49,350 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $59,710, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a special education teacher?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 25-2052 (Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.