How much does a special needs teacher make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $5,718 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $4,735
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 1.3 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $200,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Switzerland estimate | $102,600 |
| 2. Luxembourg estimate | $84,190 |
| 3. Iceland estimate | $73,360 |
| 4. Qatar estimate | $68,630 |
| 5. United States | $68,620 |
| 6. Germany | $66,970 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $368 |
Similar jobs
Professionals
- Education officer$77,440
- Esol teacher$47,310
- Music teacher$46,800
- Dance teacher$45,680
- IT trainer$69,280
- Prison teacher$52,480
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| California | $97,680 |
| Washington | $96,470 |
| District of Columbia | $92,150 |
| Massachusetts | $87,760 |
| Rhode Island | $87,260 |
| New York | $83,290 |
| Connecticut | $80,630 |
| Alaska | $80,540 |
| Maryland | $80,110 |
| New Jersey | $79,990 |
See all 51 states
| Oregon | $78,500 |
| Michigan | $76,690 |
| Illinois | $76,500 |
| New Mexico | $75,790 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,720 |
| Vermont | $74,850 |
| Ohio | $73,960 |
| Georgia | $72,850 |
| Delaware | $72,260 |
| Minnesota | $71,120 |
| Colorado | $70,940 |
| Virginia | $67,960 |
| New Hampshire | $66,880 |
| Utah | $65,290 |
| Nevada | $63,850 |
| Hawaii | $63,780 |
| Wisconsin | $63,290 |
| Texas | $62,910 |
| Nebraska | $62,890 |
| Alabama | $62,630 |
| South Carolina | $62,210 |
| Maine | $61,930 |
| Iowa | $61,780 |
| Tennessee | $61,700 |
| Wyoming | $61,310 |
| Idaho | $60,480 |
| Montana | $60,430 |
| Florida | $60,390 |
| Kentucky | $60,390 |
| Kansas | $60,170 |
| Arizona | $59,990 |
| North Dakota | $59,370 |
| Indiana | $59,100 |
| Louisiana | $58,930 |
| North Carolina | $58,180 |
| Missouri | $56,260 |
| Oklahoma | $53,990 |
| Arkansas | $53,390 |
| South Dakota | $52,300 |
| West Virginia | $51,640 |
| Mississippi | $51,030 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Special Education Teacher | $65,120 |
| Special Education Teacher | $74,260 |
| Special Education Teacher | $66,810 |
| Special Education Teacher | $76,580 |
| Special Education Teacher | $64,830 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special needs teacher make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $5,718 a month, $68,620 a year.
How much does a special needs teacher make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $49,250 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $107,000.
Which country pays a special needs teacher the most?
United States, with a median of $68,620 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a special needs teacher the most?
California, with a median of $97,680 a year.
Does a special needs teacher make more in the United States or in Germany?
In the United States: $68,620 a year against $66,970 in Germany, 1.0 times more.
Who makes more, a special needs teacher or an education officer?
An education officer: $77,440 a year against $68,620 for a special needs teacher, 1.1 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate