Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn a median $74,260 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
U.S. median
$74,260
$35.70 per hour
Range
$49,800 – $109,100
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
163,930
across the U.S.
▲6.7%
Pay trend: The median for special education teachers, secondary school in the U.S. rose from $69,590 (May 2024) to $74,260 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 4.3%.
What special education teachers, secondary school do
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -0.2% (slower than average)
- Openings per year
- 10,400
Employment of special education teachers, secondary school is projected to shrink 0.2% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 10,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$61,072
per year · effective tax rate 17.8%
$5,089Monthly
$2,545Twice a month
$2,349Every 2 weeks
$29.36Hourly
- Federal income tax$7,507
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,604
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,077
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$61,072
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,800 | $23.94 | $42,194 |
| 25th percentile | $60,180 | $28.93 | $50,535 |
| Median (50th) | $74,260 | $35.70 | $61,072 |
| 75th percentile | $93,730 | $45.06 | $74,769 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,100 | $52.45 | $85,582 |
Best cities for special education teachers, secondary school (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $100,430 | $74,597 | $66,272 | 14,700 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $100,900 | $73,347 | $64,586 | 3,920 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $87,630 | $66,316 | $61,253 | 3,920 |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $79,760 | $62,493 | $60,936 | 5,790 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $82,350 | $62,832 | $60,651 | 7,360 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $77,180 | $59,743 | $59,709 | 2,550 |
| 7 | Washington, DC | $85,000 | $64,371 | $59,119 | 3,930 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $79,190 | $60,679 | $57,887 | 2,590 |
| 9 | Dallas, TX | $66,440 | $55,565 | $53,899 | 2,670 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $100,900
- New York, NY — $100,430
- Boston, MA — $87,630
- Washington, DC — $85,000
- Chicago, IL — $82,350
- Philadelphia, PA — $79,760
- Minneapolis, MN — $79,190
- Atlanta, GA — $77,180
- Dallas, TX — $66,440
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,120 | +3.4% | $79,968 | $67,880 – $128,090 | 2,510 |
| California | $101,060 | −0.2% | $73,443 | $63,390 – $131,600 | 12,100 |
| District of Columbia | $99,670 | +2.9% | $73,444 | $80,640 – $127,940 | 440 |
| Maryland | $93,530 | +17.8% | $70,549 | $62,160 – $119,110 | 1,560 |
| Rhode Island | $92,990 | +3.9% | $71,378 | $46,580 – $99,900 | 830 |
| New York | $89,310 | −2.7% | $67,431 | $60,740 – $134,460 | 15,250 |
| Massachusetts | $83,890 | +1.6% | $63,872 | $60,390 – $124,080 | 5,470 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 | +4.2% | $64,616 | $65,250 – $110,050 | 7,520 |
| Connecticut | $81,710 | +5.5% | $63,394 | $60,150 – $111,880 | 1,920 |
| Alaska | $80,580 | +2.2% | $65,518 | $62,230 – $97,800 | 590 |
| Illinois | $79,890 | +3.8% | $61,223 | $49,920 – $129,260 | 9,490 |
| Vermont | $79,360 | +10.8% | $61,882 | $52,800 – $98,170 | 660 |
| Delaware | $78,490 | +3.9% | $60,208 | $57,020 – $94,830 | 1,160 |
| Michigan | $78,050 | +9.5% | $60,672 | $49,710 – $103,210 | 2,570 |
| Oregon | $77,400 | −2.0% | $57,338 | $49,810 – $98,920 | 1,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,000 | +2.2% | $60,636 | $51,110 – $101,880 | 11,040 |
| New Mexico | $76,940 | +6.9% | $60,507 | $60,190 – $90,580 | 2,150 |
| Minnesota | $76,600 | +7.7% | $59,033 | $49,410 – $102,390 | 4,130 |
| Ohio | $76,180 | +2.4% | $61,110 | $47,800 – $100,400 | 10,580 |
| Georgia | $74,150 | +4.4% | $57,769 | $56,910 – $97,720 | 4,090 |
| New Hampshire | $69,560 | +10.7% | $57,765 | $47,950 – $98,700 | 910 |
| Virginia | $68,400 | +5.8% | $53,831 | $50,510 – $109,100 | 6,380 |
| Colorado | $67,240 | +4.2% | $53,883 | $51,760 – $100,430 | 2,970 |
| Hawaii | $65,980 | +12.5% | $51,711 | $58,250 – $93,170 | 800 |
| Texas | $64,830 | +3.4% | $54,271 | $52,270 – $77,700 | 10,200 |
| Arizona | $64,300 | +3.9% | $52,446 | $49,240 – $110,560 | 1,960 |
| Utah | $64,210 | +6.9% | $51,849 | $34,130 – $97,380 | 1,220 |
| Wisconsin | $63,520 | +3.3% | $51,204 | $48,870 – $83,170 | 3,350 |
| Nebraska | $63,460 | +1.4% | $51,162 | $47,970 – $77,970 | 1,240 |
| Wyoming | $62,750 | +0.4% | $52,600 | $52,440 – $77,900 | 350 |
| Montana | $62,310 | +1.5% | $50,074 | $38,750 – $82,460 | 480 |
| Alabama | $62,210 | +3.5% | $49,320 | $50,020 – $75,030 | 740 |
| South Carolina | $62,150 | +0.9% | $49,546 | $49,330 – $83,020 | 1,780 |
| Maine | $61,710 | +2.1% | $48,780 | $48,200 – $82,350 | 860 |
| Florida | $61,510 | +1.6% | $51,603 | $51,360 – $79,170 | 7,940 |
| Tennessee | $61,360 | +4.7% | $51,483 | $50,190 – $77,640 | 2,010 |
| North Dakota | $61,210 | −0.6% | $51,362 | $47,280 – $80,320 | 520 |
| Indiana | $61,130 | +1.9% | $49,524 | $46,940 – $85,710 | 2,580 |
| Nevada | $60,810 | −5.1% | $51,041 | $39,720 – $84,100 | 350 |
| Iowa | $60,780 | +3.4% | $49,359 | $46,840 – $81,570 | 1,570 |
| Kentucky | $60,730 | +4.0% | $48,969 | $46,610 – $79,870 | 2,680 |
| Idaho | $60,700 | +26.6% | $48,844 | $46,950 – $82,200 | 470 |
| Kansas | $60,700 | +1.8% | $48,365 | $47,730 – $77,880 | 1,650 |
| Oklahoma | $59,660 | +19.0% | $47,978 | $44,730 – $75,480 | 2,020 |
| Louisiana | $59,100 | +1.6% | $48,280 | $48,620 – $64,460 | 3,160 |
| Arkansas | $57,000 | +6.8% | $45,969 | $47,820 – $66,500 | 1,280 |
| North Carolina | $56,770 | +3.2% | $46,038 | $45,200 – $70,600 | 3,400 |
| Missouri | $55,920 | +8.9% | $45,421 | $43,010 – $76,930 | 2,760 |
| West Virginia | $55,390 | −0.4% | $44,926 | $47,650 – $69,270 | 840 |
| South Dakota | $54,810 | +9.6% | $46,220 | $45,610 – $63,020 | 500 |
| Mississippi | $51,970 | +3.9% | $42,591 | $46,720 – $62,600 | 1,670 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $76,580 | Bachelor's degree | +1.9% |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $66,810 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $65,120 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $64,830 | Bachelor's degree | +2.4% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $72,040 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School | $65,030 | Bachelor's degree | -0.5% |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $64,370 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $63,970 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,680 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teachers, secondary school make?
The national median salary for special education teachers, secondary school is $74,260 a year ($35.70 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,800 and the top 10% earn over $109,100. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays special education teachers, secondary school the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $101,120. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many special education teachers, secondary school are there in the U.S.?
About 163,930 people work as special education teachers, secondary school nationwide.