How much does a special ed teacher make?
a year · about $36 an hour
A typical special ed teacher in the United States makes $74,260 a year, about $36 an hour, about 1.5× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They teach adapted lessons in small groups or inclusive classes, helping students build academic, social, or everyday skills. They also plan lessons, track progress, update student records, and meet with families and other teachers.
Did you know? In the US, when an IEP meeting discusses a student's goals after school and the services to reach them, the school must invite that student.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $49,800 and $109,100How do you become one?
In the US, earn a bachelor’s degree and complete a teacher-preparation program that includes supervised student teaching. Then meet your state’s special-education certification or licensing rules; exact requirements vary by state.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like helping and teaching and figuring things out
Why does pay differ?
In the US, pay can differ with experience, extra education, or a state license or certification employers value. It also varies by location and employer, since public-school districts and private schools may pay differently.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($101,120), lowest in Mississippi ($51,970).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $49,800 | $74,260 | $109,100 | about 164,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,120 | about 3,000 |
| California | $101,060 | about 12,000 |
| Maryland | $93,530 | about 2,000 |
| Rhode Island | $92,990 | about 830 |
| New York | $89,310 | about 15,000 |
Official definition: Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary 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/special-education-teachers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/25-2058.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- sites.ed.gov/idea/regs/b/d/300.321
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY