How much does a special education teacher make in California?
$59,550a year
Median yearly pay for special education teachers in California. That is $28.63 an hour or $4,963 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.63
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among states
- 31 of 45
- Jobs in the state
- 2,510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,050Median: $59,550Highest 10%: $117,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,050 | $18.29 | |
| 25th | $48,400 | $23.27 | |
| Median | $59,550 | $28.63 | |
| 75th | $83,370 | $40.08 | |
| 90th | $117,700 | $56.59 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Diego, CA | $117,200 |
| Fresno, CA | $93,800 |
| San Francisco, CA | $82,280 |
| Vallejo, CA | $75,140 |
| Sacramento, CA | $72,390 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $62,080 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for special education teachers.
| 28. Arizona | $60,130 |
| 29. North Dakota | $60,060 |
| 30. South Carolina | $59,800 |
| 31. California | $59,550 |
| 32. Tennessee | $59,550 |
| 33. Rhode Island | $59,310 |
| 34. Delaware | $59,250 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teacher make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $28.63 ($59,550 a year).
Do special education teachers make more in California than the national average?
No: $59,550 against $64,830 nationally, 8% less.
Where does California rank for special education teacher pay?
California ranks 31 of 45 states.
Which city in California pays special education teachers the most?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, with a median of $117,200 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.