How much does a special ed teacher make?
a year · about $31 an hour
A typical special ed teacher in the United States makes $65,120 a year, about $31 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They adapt and teach lessons for each student's needs, then check progress toward goals in the student's IEP. They also work with classroom teachers, specialists, and families to create or update IEPs and record what is working.
Did you know? Some US special ed teachers travel to teach students in hospitals, residential facilities, or their own homes—not only in school classrooms.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $49,350 and $103,010How do you become one?
In the United States, earn a bachelor’s degree in special education or another allowed teaching major and complete supervised student teaching. For public schools, pass the state’s required teaching exams and get a state license for special education.
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, many public-school pay scales rise with years of experience and added education. Pay also differs by state or district and by employer, such as local public versus private schools.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in District of Columbia ($97,910), lowest in West Virginia ($50,380).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $49,350 | $65,120 | $103,010 | about 261,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 | about 1,000 |
| California | $97,170 | about 23,000 |
| Washington | $95,040 | about 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 | about 7,000 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 | about 1,000 |
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
- sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/b/300.156
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2056.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/May/oes252052.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.nea.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/2024-2025-teacher-salary-benchmark-repor
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY