Special education teachers, all other salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,440 | Data unavailable |
| Median (50th percentile) | $76,580 | Data unavailable |
| Mean (average) | $79,750 | Data unavailable |
| 90th percentile | $120,080 | Data unavailable |
BLS publishes only annual wages for this occupation because workers are typically paid on an annual basis rather than hourly.
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Special education teachers, all other pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 43 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,520 | $37,590 | $88,710 | 110 | 0.24 |
| Arizona | $59,500 | $45,680 | $92,330 | ||
| Arkansas | $61,690 | $50,490 | $79,630 | 70 | 0.25 |
| California | $103,050 | $64,830 | $126,210 | 8,920 | 2.24 |
| Colorado | $79,290 | $44,960 | $98,920 | 180 | 0.28 |
| Connecticut | $61,480 | $40,730 | $102,050 | 1,400 | 3.77 |
| Delaware | $85,040 | $61,820 | $102,500 | 50 | 0.43 |
| District of Columbia | $71,130 | $42,860 | $107,140 | 130 | 0.87 |
| Florida | $68,690 | $50,570 | $97,240 | 900 | 0.42 |
| Georgia | $76,130 | $48,440 | $101,560 | 980 | 0.92 |
| Illinois | $64,850 | $47,660 | $100,320 | 2,560 | 1.92 |
| Indiana | $60,920 | $48,240 | $72,490 | 80 | 0.11 |
| Iowa | $71,050 | $36,390 | $90,870 | 340 | 0.99 |
| Kentucky | $63,140 | $48,410 | $83,780 | 290 | 0.66 |
| Louisiana | $61,170 | $47,390 | $79,130 | 610 | 1.45 |
| Maine | $56,780 | $52,480 | $89,000 | ||
| Maryland | $76,100 | $61,390 | $105,130 | 3,020 | 5.02 |
| Massachusetts | $78,440 | $56,800 | $108,850 | 300 | 0.37 |
| Michigan | $78,540 | $49,500 | $101,330 | 3,320 | 3.45 |
| Minnesota | $69,470 | $47,490 | $98,100 | 180 | 0.28 |
| Mississippi | $46,700 | $27,410 | $69,620 | 60 | 0.24 |
| Missouri | $49,610 | $43,310 | $83,240 | 210 | 0.33 |
| Nebraska | $59,760 | $38,950 | $105,680 | 60 | 0.28 |
| Nevada | $64,410 | $54,800 | $83,210 | 1,230 | 3.64 |
| New Hampshire | $66,670 | $51,830 | $78,800 | 160 | 1.05 |
| New Jersey | $71,110 | $48,780 | $103,980 | 610 | 0.65 |
| New Mexico | $86,520 | $79,710 | $107,250 | 100 | 0.51 |
| New York | $65,970 | $47,130 | $126,430 | 2,170 | 1.03 |
| North Carolina | $65,170 | $50,440 | $74,940 | ||
| North Dakota | $61,500 | $50,830 | $80,180 | 90 | 0.92 |
| Ohio | $51,230 | $37,530 | $92,020 | 580 | 0.48 |
| Oregon | $82,240 | $58,820 | $136,490 | 820 | 1.9 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,530 | $46,990 | $99,500 | 450 | 0.34 |
| Puerto Rico | $51,920 | $48,090 | $64,070 | 630 | 3.06 |
| Rhode Island | $80,080 | $50,670 | $98,940 | 110 | 1.05 |
| Tennessee | $63,300 | $45,490 | $81,740 | 180 | 0.26 |
| Texas | $65,710 | $43,980 | $84,230 | 880 | 0.29 |
| Utah | $67,860 | $52,440 | $99,250 | 100 | 0.27 |
| Vermont | $46,980 | $45,140 | $65,980 | 70 | 1.13 |
| Virginia | $77,280 | $51,690 | $108,040 | 540 | 0.6 |
| Washington | $76,790 | $48,630 | $101,280 | 170 | 0.21 |
| West Virginia | $39,920 | $30,050 | $51,810 | 530 | 3.44 |
| Wisconsin | $66,910 | $40,540 | $80,510 | 160 | 0.24 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for special education teachers, all other
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 2,300. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 1%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for special education teachers, all other
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
Highest education of people working in this occupation
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Special Education and Teaching, General CIP 13.1001
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness CIP 13.1003
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances CIP 13.1005
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities CIP 13.1006
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities CIP 13.1007
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments CIP 13.1008
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness CIP 13.1009
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities CIP 13.1011
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments CIP 13.1012
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism CIP 13.1013
- Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed CIP 13.1014
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries CIP 13.1016
- Special Education and Teaching, Other CIP 13.1099
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do special education teachers, all other make?
The national median annual wage for special education teachers, all other was $76,580 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $48,440 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $120,080. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do special education teachers, all other need?
BLS lists bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is special education teachers, all other a growing career?
BLS projects employment of special education teachers, all other to change +1.9% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 2,300 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay special education teachers, all other the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were California ($103,050), New Mexico ($86,520), Delaware ($85,040). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.