How much does a special education teacher make in Chicago?
$61,950a year
Median yearly pay for special education teachers in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $29.78 an hour or $5,163 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.78
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 57 of 97
- Jobs in the area
- 900
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $42,320Median: $61,950Highest 10%: $100,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,320 | $20.35 | |
| 25th | $49,680 | $23.88 | |
| Median | $61,950 | $29.78 | |
| 75th | $80,170 | $38.54 | |
| 90th | $100,300 | $48.24 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for special education teachers.
| St. Louis, MO | $50,920 |
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 $29.78 ($61,950 a year).
Do special education teachers make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $61,950 against $64,830 nationally, 4% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $62,580, so Chicago pays 1% less.
Where does Chicago rank for special education teacher pay?
57 of 97 metro areas with data.
How much does a special education teacher make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $42,320 or less a year; the top 10% make $100,300 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.