Special Education Teacher Salary
Special education teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities.
Special Education Teacher Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level special education teachers earn around $44,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $64,000. Senior-level special education teachers can earn $90,000 or more.
Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for special education teachers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $42,000, while the top 10% earn $96,000.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $62,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,000 |
Special Education Teacher Salary by State
Special Education Teacher salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $107,032, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $52,257.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $107,032 | Details → |
| #2 California | $86,885 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $84,996 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $78,070 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $76,811 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $72,404 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $72,404 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $70,515 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $69,256 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $69,256 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $66,108 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $66,108 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $66,108 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $65,478 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $63,590 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $63,590 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $61,701 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $61,701 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $61,071 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $61,071 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $61,071 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $61,071 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $60,442 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $59,812 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $59,812 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $59,182 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $58,553 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $58,553 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $57,923 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $57,923 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $57,923 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $57,923 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $57,294 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $56,664 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $56,664 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $56,664 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $56,664 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $56,664 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $56,034 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $56,034 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $56,034 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $55,405 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $55,405 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $54,775 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $54,775 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $54,775 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $54,146 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $52,886 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $52,886 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $52,257 | Details → |
Key Responsibilities
- ● Develop individualized education programs (IEPs)
- ● Adapt curriculum for students with disabilities
- ● Assess student progress and adjust strategies
- ● Collaborate with parents and support staff
- ● Manage classroom behavior
Top Skills
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 4% growth over the next decade