How much does a special ed teacher make?
a year · about $32 an hour
A typical special ed teacher in the United States makes $66,810 a year, about $32 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They teach adapted lessons to a whole class, a small group, or one student at a time, then check progress toward each learner’s goals. They update IEP records and meet with families and other teachers to plan support.
Did you know? A student's IEP must be reviewed at least once a year, and the team can change it if goals aren't being met.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $49,420 and $102,510How do you become one?
In the U.S., earn a bachelor’s degree in special education or another allowed field, and complete supervised student teaching. Then pass the required state tests and get a state license for the grades and special education area you’ll teach; rules vary by state.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like helping and teaching and creating
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can rise with experience, advanced education, or valued credentials. It also differs by location and employer, such as a local school district versus a private school. Extra work hours or summer programs can affect total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in California ($101,530), lowest in Missouri ($50,370).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $49,420 | $66,810 | $102,510 | about 95,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $101,530 | about 5,000 |
| Washington | $99,520 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $93,820 | about 8,000 |
| Connecticut | $92,900 | about 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $84,550 | about 3,000 |
Official definition: Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities. Excludes “Substitute Teachers, Short-Term” (25-3031).
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/print/special-education-teachers.
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2057.00
- sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/b/300.156
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- sites.ed.gov/idea/statute-chapter-33/subchapter-ii/1414/d/4
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY