How much does a special education teacher make in California?
$101,100a year
Median yearly pay for special education teachers in California. That is $48.59 an hour or $8,422 a month.
- Hourly
- $48.59
- Vs. national median
- +36%
- Rank among states
- 2 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 12,100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $63,390Median: $101,100Highest 10%: $131,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,390 | $30.48 | |
| 25th | $79,740 | $38.34 | |
| Median | $101,100 | $48.59 | |
| 75th | $123,800 | $59.54 | |
| 90th | $131,600 | $63.27 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $117,600 |
| San Diego, CA | $115,200 |
| San Francisco, CA | $105,200 |
| Oxnard, CA | $104,100 |
| Riverside, CA | $103,700 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $101,100 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $100,900 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $100,900 |
| Salinas, CA | $100,500 |
| Vallejo, CA | $99,930 |
| Sacramento, CA | $99,900 |
| Fresno, CA | $98,860 |
| Modesto, CA | $98,170 |
| Merced, CA | $98,040 |
| Stockton, CA | $97,310 |
| El Centro, CA | $97,000 |
| Yuba City, CA | $96,260 |
| Hanford, CA | $76,610 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $74,690 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for special education teachers.
| 1. Washington | $101,100 |
| 2. California | $101,100 |
| 3. District of Columbia | $99,670 |
| 4. Maryland | $93,530 |
| 5. Rhode Island | $92,990 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teacher make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $48.59 ($101,100 a year).
Do special education teachers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $101,100 against $74,260 nationally, 36% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $117,600 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.