How much does a special education teacher make in Chicago?
$77,840a year
Median yearly pay for special education teachers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $37.42 an hour or $6,487 a month.
- Hourly
- $37.42
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among cities
- 55 of 242
- Jobs in the area
- 3,190
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $56,020Median: $77,840Highest 10%: $105,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,020 | $26.93 | |
| 25th | $62,390 | $30.00 | |
| Median | $77,840 | $37.42 | |
| 75th | $97,150 | $46.71 | |
| 90th | $105,200 | $50.57 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for special education teachers.
| Rockford, IL | $75,540 |
| Springfield, IL | $74,590 |
| Decatur, IL | $63,520 |
| Davenport, IA | $62,820 |
| Champaign, IL | $62,140 |
| Peoria, IL | $61,260 |
| St. Louis, MO | $58,850 |
| Kankakee, IL | $57,620 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Economics Teacher | $124,400 |
| Engineering Teacher | $110,300 |
| Agricultural Sciences Teacher | $105,400 |
| Architecture Teacher | $104,400 |
| Geography Teacher | $103,300 |
| Biological Science Teacher | $102,000 |
| Law Teacher | $101,800 |
| Health Specialties Teacher | $101,000 |
| Area | $100,800 |
| Political Science Teacher | $100,700 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teacher make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $37.42 ($77,840 a year).
Do special education teachers make more in Chicago than the national average?
Yes: $77,840 against $66,810 nationally, 17% more.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $74,730, so Chicago pays 4% more.
Where does Chicago rank for special education teacher pay?
55 of 242 metro areas with data.
How much does a special education teacher make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $56,020 or less a year; the top 10% make $105,200 or more.
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.