How much does a special ed teacher make?
a year · about $31 an hour
A typical special ed teacher in the United States makes $64,830 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 set up toys and picture cards, lead play and small-group activities, and adapt lessons to each child's goals. They watch progress, help with everyday skills, record notes, and talk with families and specialists.
Did you know? Surprisingly, in 2021–22, 55.4% of US preschool children with disabilities received special-education services in settings separate from children without disabilities.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $45,620 and $130,040How do you become one?
In the US, earn a bachelor's degree in special education or a related teacher-preparation program, including student teaching. Then pass state-required tests and a background check and get a public-school license for the grade and specialty; rules vary.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like helping and teaching and creating
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can vary with experience and teaching credentials, and by employer and location; public- and private-school pay and local pay levels differ. Work hours and school-year versus year-round schedules also matter, while specialized duties may call for different skills and responsibility.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Massachusetts ($99,070), lowest in Arkansas ($35,580).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $45,620 | $64,830 | $130,040 | about 30,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $99,070 | about 710 |
| New Jersey | $92,060 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $86,580 | about 820 |
| Colorado | $78,040 | about 810 |
| Virginia | $77,570 | about 650 |
Official definition: Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged 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/special-education-teachers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2051.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- sites.ed.gov/idea/files/policy-statement-on-inclusion-11-28-2023.pdf
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY