How much does a special education teacher make in San Diego?
$117,200a year
Median yearly pay for special education teachers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $56.35 an hour or $9,767 a month.
- Hourly
- $56.35
- Vs. national median
- +81%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 97
- Jobs in the area
- 240
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $54,530Median: $117,200Highest 10%: $117,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $54,530 | $26.22 | |
| 25th | $59,710 | $28.71 | |
| Median | $117,200 | $56.35 | |
| 75th | $117,200 | $56.35 | |
| 90th | $117,200 | $56.35 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for special education teachers.
| Fresno, CA | $93,800 |
| San Francisco, CA | $82,280 |
| Vallejo, CA | $75,140 |
| Sacramento, CA | $72,390 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $62,080 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teacher | $168,400 |
| Biological Science Teacher | $166,900 |
| Computer Science Teacher | $166,600 |
| Physics Teacher | $152,200 |
| Sociology Teacher | $142,000 |
| Economics Teacher | $140,700 |
| Chemistry Teacher | $138,300 |
| Mathematical Science Teacher | $135,900 |
| History Teacher | $135,400 |
| Communications Teacher | $134,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teacher make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $56.35 ($117,200 a year).
Do special education teachers make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $117,200 against $64,830 nationally, 81% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $59,550, so San Diego pays 97% more.
Where does San Diego rank for special education teacher pay?
2 of 97 metro areas with data.
How much does a special education teacher make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $54,530 or less a year; the top 10% make $117,200 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.