How much does a special education teacher make in California?
$97,170a year
Median yearly pay for special education teachers in California. That is $46.72 an hour or $8,098 a month.
- Hourly
- $46.72
- Vs. national median
- +49%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 23,280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $63,180Median: $97,170Highest 10%: $123,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,180 | $30.38 | |
| 25th | $76,700 | $36.88 | |
| Median | $97,170 | $46.72 | |
| 75th | $108,300 | $52.08 | |
| 90th | $123,600 | $59.42 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $105,300 |
| Oxnard, CA | $104,800 |
| El Centro, CA | $99,020 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $98,940 |
| San Jose, CA | $98,640 |
| Sacramento, CA | $98,330 |
| Vallejo, CA | $98,260 |
| San Diego, CA | $97,860 |
| Merced, CA | $97,340 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $97,260 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $96,970 |
| Fresno, CA | $95,950 |
| Yuba City, CA | $94,260 |
| Napa, CA | $92,970 |
| Redding, CA | $92,820 |
| Riverside, CA | $91,840 |
| Chico, CA | $91,510 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $81,910 |
| Hanford, CA | $81,750 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,570 |
| Stockton, CA | $79,760 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $75,250 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for special education teachers.
| 1. District of Columbia | $97,910 |
| 2. California | $97,170 |
| 3. Washington | $95,040 |
| 4. Massachusetts | $91,350 |
| 5. Rhode Island | $84,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teacher make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $46.72 ($97,170 a year).
Do special education teachers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $97,170 against $65,120 nationally, 49% more.
Where does California rank for special education teacher pay?
California ranks 2 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays special education teachers the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $105,300 a year.
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.