As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Special Education Teacher in the United States is $52,970. According to Salary.com, salaries can range from a low of $40,145 to a high of $70,346, with most professionals earning between $46,257 and $62,065.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $62,065 | $5,172 | $1,194 | $30 |
| Average | $52,970 | $4,414 | $1,019 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,257 | $3,855 | $890 | $22 |
An entry-level Special Education Teacher with less than 1 year of experience earns about $50,766. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $51,267. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $53,649. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $56,364, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $57,042.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Special Education Teacher | $50,766 |
| Intermediate Level Special Education Teacher | $51,267 |
| Senior Level Special Education Teacher | $53,649 |
| Specialist Level Special Education Teacher | $56,364 |
| Expert Level Special Education Teacher | $57,042 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 6% |
| Experienced | 8% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Special Education Teacher compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $54,558 in 2023 to approximately $53,790 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Special Education Teacher salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Special Education Teacher information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Special Education Teacher job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Special Education Teacher and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $52,970 | 70.2% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,052 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,490 | 3.3% | ||
| Disability | $424 | 0.6% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 8.0% | ||
| Pension | $2,913 | 3.9% | ||
| Time Off | $6,519 | 8.6% | ||
| Total Compensation | $75,424 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.1% |
| High School | 2.3% |
| Associates | 3.8% |
| Bachelors | 28.2% |
| Masters | 63.4% |
| Doctorate | 1.1% |
What Am I Worth?
The average annual salary of Special Education Teacher is $52,970. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Special Education Teacher is $25; the average weekly pay of Special Education Teacher is $1,019; the average monthly pay of Special Education Teacher is $4,414.
A Special Education Teacher's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Special Education Teacher earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Special Education Teacher is $66,811.
The highest pay for Special Education Teacher is $70,346.
The lowest pay for Special Education Teacher is $40,145.
Instructs special education students in a classroom setting. Prepares lesson plans and instructional materials designed to meet the needs of individual students. Develops individualized education plans, and evaluates and monitors students' performance. Resolves classroom issues and conflicts. May provide behavioral consultation or implement therapeutic programs for students. May mentor teaching aides. Requires a bachelor's degree. May require state-specific special education teaching license. Typically requires Basic Life Support (BLS) certification. Typically reports to a principal. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Analysis: Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
Background Check: A background check or background investigation is a review of a potential employee's criminal, commercial and financial records. The goal of background checks is to ensure the safety and security of the employees in the organisation
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
