How much does a special education teacher make?
The median special education teacher in the United States earns $65,120 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all special education teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-2052.
Special education teacher salary range
Pay for special education teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $49,350 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $103,010. The average (mean) wage of $72,650 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,350 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $59,710 | |
| Median (50th) | $65,120 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $80,280 | |
| 90th percentile | $103,010 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school (SOC 25-2052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Special education teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Special education teachers earn the most in District of Columbia at $97,910 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $50,380. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 | 1,070 |
| California | $97,170 | 23,280 |
| Washington | $95,040 | 3,450 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 | 7,220 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 | 1,070 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 | 2,810 |
| New York | $81,260 | 21,130 |
| Alaska | $80,230 | 320 |
| Maryland | $78,850 | 2,760 |
| Illinois | $77,960 | 14,040 |
| Oregon | $77,700 | 1,520 |
| New Jersey | $76,660 | 11,610 |
| New Mexico | $76,420 | 880 |
| Michigan | $74,600 | 4,010 |
| Colorado | $74,290 | 4,010 |
| Vermont | $74,200 | 770 |
| Ohio | $73,970 | 9,550 |
| Georgia | $72,880 | 9,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,680 | 7,640 |
| Virginia | $67,740 | 7,440 |
| Minnesota | $67,620 | 3,960 |
| Delaware | $65,990 | 1,070 |
| New Hampshire | $65,160 | 1,110 |
| Nevada | $65,110 | 430 |
| Alabama | $64,520 | 870 |
| Idaho | $63,610 | 620 |
| Tennessee | $62,560 | 3,910 |
| Nebraska | $62,420 | 1,900 |
| South Carolina | $62,360 | 2,950 |
| Texas | $62,330 | 56,760 |
| Maine | $61,880 | 1,320 |
| Wisconsin | $61,520 | 4,280 |
| Utah | $61,290 | 1,890 |
| Hawaii | $60,940 | 1,270 |
| Wyoming | $60,930 | 650 |
| Iowa | $60,440 | 2,560 |
| Kentucky | $60,060 | 3,710 |
| Kansas | $59,970 | 1,610 |
| Florida | $58,850 | 8,740 |
| Louisiana | $58,800 | 4,000 |
| Indiana | $58,760 | 3,640 |
| North Carolina | $58,260 | 4,430 |
| North Dakota | $57,950 | 590 |
| Montana | $57,630 | 560 |
| Missouri | $57,260 | 2,860 |
| Arizona | $56,030 | 2,450 |
| Arkansas | $54,290 | 1,430 |
| South Dakota | $51,090 | 790 |
| Oklahoma | $50,630 | 2,360 |
| Mississippi | $50,570 | 2,530 |
| West Virginia | $50,380 | 1,690 |
State median wages for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school (SOC 25-2052), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for special education teachers
The BLS projects employment of special education teachers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 0.4%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 259,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 258,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 16,400 openings a year for special education teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a special education teacher
The typical entry-level education for special education teachers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a special education teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $97,910) and the lowest (West Virginia, $50,380) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 260,870 people work as special education teachers in the United States. At $65,120 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Special education teacher salary FAQ
How much does a special education teacher make an hour?
Special education teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $65,120.
What is the highest special education teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of special education teachers earn more than $103,010 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a special education teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a special education teacher is $65,120. The average (mean) wage of $72,650 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a special education teacher a well paid job?
At $65,120 a year, a special education teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 260,870 people work as special education teachers in the United States.
Which state pays special education teachers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for special education teachers at $97,910 a year. California ($97,170) and Washington ($95,040) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a special education teacher a good career?
Employment of special education teachers is projected to shrink 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 16,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a special education teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for special education teachers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Education salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.