How much does a special education teacher make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $31.17 an hour or $5,403 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.17
- Average (mean)
- $76,380
- Jobs
- 29,510
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,620 | $21.93 | |
| 25th | $52,210 | $25.10 | |
| Median | $64,830 | $31.17 | |
| 75th | $91,660 | $44.07 | |
| 90th | $130,000 | $62.52 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| Massachusetts | $99,070 |
| New Jersey | $92,060 |
| Connecticut | $87,960 |
| Washington | $86,580 |
| Maryland | $85,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,510 |
| Alaska | $80,390 |
| Vermont | $79,000 |
| Colorado | $78,040 |
| Virginia | $77,570 |
| Oregon | $77,490 |
| Minnesota | $75,880 |
| Michigan | $75,860 |
| Hawaii | $75,120 |
| Georgia | $72,310 |
| New York | $68,180 |
| New Mexico | $66,010 |
| Texas | $65,680 |
| Iowa | $63,540 |
| Nebraska | $62,760 |
| Illinois | $62,580 |
| Missouri | $62,250 |
| New Hampshire | $61,720 |
| Wisconsin | $60,870 |
| Ohio | $60,700 |
| Maine | $60,680 |
| North Carolina | $60,180 |
| Arizona | $60,130 |
| North Dakota | $60,060 |
| South Carolina | $59,800 |
| California | $59,550 |
| Tennessee | $59,550 |
| Rhode Island | $59,310 |
| Delaware | $59,250 |
| Kansas | $59,220 |
| Florida | $58,240 |
| Utah | $58,230 |
| Louisiana | $56,890 |
| Kentucky | $54,220 |
| Mississippi | $52,420 |
| Wyoming | $52,100 |
| Oklahoma | $49,720 |
| Idaho | $49,610 |
| Indiana | $48,680 |
| Arkansas | $35,580 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Kansas City, MO | $119,600 |
| San Diego, CA | $117,200 |
| Akron, OH | $100,700 |
| Boston, MA | $99,440 |
| Seattle, WA | $94,240 |
| Fresno, CA | $93,800 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $92,660 |
| New Haven, CT | $90,440 |
| Hartford, CT | $89,180 |
| Naples, FL | $86,120 |
| McAllen, TX | $85,200 |
| Worcester, MA | $84,040 |
| Washington, DC | $82,760 |
| Olympia, WA | $82,600 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $82,390 |
In other countries
Special Education Teacher belongs to the international group "Special needs teachers".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Preschool Teacher$38,140
- Kindergarten Teacher$62,680
- Elementary School Teacher$63,970
- Middle School Teacher$64,370
- Career/Technical Education Teacher$65,030
- Secondary School Teacher$72,040
- Career/Technical Education Teacher$66,270
- Special Education Teacher$65,120
- Special Education Teacher$66,810
- Special Education Teacher$74,260
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teacher make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $31.17 ($64,830 a year).
How much does a special education teacher make a month?
About $5,403 a month before tax, based on a median of $64,830 a year.
How much does a special education teacher make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $45,620 or less a year ($21.93 an hour); the top 10% make $130,000 or more.
Which state pays special education teachers the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $99,070 a year, followed by New Jersey ($92,060) and Connecticut ($87,960).
Which city pays special education teachers the most?
Kansas City, MO-KS, with a median of $119,600 a year.
How many special education teachers are there in the United States?
About 29,510 people work as special education teachers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.