How much does a special ed teacher make?
Answer: A typical special ed teacher in the United States makes $76,580 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 34,000 people work in this job. Well above the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Special ed teacher pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $48,440 | $76,580 | $120,080 | about 34,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $103,050 | about 9,000 |
| Oregon | $82,240 | about 820 |
| Michigan | $78,540 | about 3,000 |
| Virginia | $77,280 | about 540 |
| Georgia | $76,130 | about 980 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, advanced education or licenses, and where a teacher works. Public and private schools or other employers may pay differently, and school-year or year-round schedules affect total earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a special ed teacher do?
All special education teachers not listed separately.
What's a typical day like?
Teachers check each student’s learning plan, adapt a lesson, and teach a small group or one child at a time. They record progress and work with families and other teachers to adjust support.
How to get this job
After high school, earn a bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field and complete student teaching. In the U.S., public-school teachers need a state license and usually pass general and subject tests; some states require a master’s later.
Did you know?
Some special-ed teachers travel to teach students in hospitals, residential facilities, or their own homes.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Educational Instruction and Library jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2059.00
- sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/b/300.156/c
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY