Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary
Special Education Teachers, Preschool earn a median $64,830 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
What special education teachers, preschool do
Teach academic, social, and life skills to preschool-aged 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
- +2.4% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 2,000
- Self-employed
- 1%
Employment of special education teachers, preschool is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,000 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, Preschool take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,600
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,019
- Medicare (1.45%)$940
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$54,271
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,620 | $21.93 | $38,836 |
| 25th percentile | $52,210 | $25.10 | $44,131 |
| Median (50th) | $64,830 | $31.17 | $54,271 |
| 75th percentile | $91,660 | $44.07 | $73,313 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,040 | $62.52 | $100,148 |
Best cities for special education teachers, preschool (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $81,210 | $62,173 | $55,234 | 6,110 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $81,210
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $99,070 | +19.7% | $73,792 | $62,400 – $126,340 | 710 |
| New Jersey | $92,060 | +6.2% | $69,920 | $61,880 – $138,050 | 1,720 |
| Connecticut | $87,960 | +38.1% | $67,447 | $58,140 – $116,380 | 380 |
| Washington | $86,580 | +8.1% | $69,739 | $65,240 – $125,040 | 820 |
| Maryland | $85,010 | — | $64,960 | $70,730 – $106,080 | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,510 | — | $65,016 | $49,510 – $121,750 | 490 |
| Alaska | $80,390 | +3.9% | $65,384 | $51,760 – $98,240 | 110 |
| Vermont | $79,000 | +12.6% | $61,653 | $66,350 – $89,860 | 70 |
| Colorado | $78,040 | +17.5% | $61,006 | $54,200 – $102,630 | 810 |
| Virginia | $77,570 | +19.6% | $59,754 | $50,350 – $122,530 | 650 |
| Oregon | $77,490 | +25.7% | $57,393 | $61,830 – $95,460 | 400 |
| Minnesota | $75,880 | +14.0% | $58,575 | $43,020 – $101,100 | 1,250 |
| Michigan | $75,860 | +3.0% | $59,224 | $47,050 – $103,290 | 430 |
| Hawaii | $75,120 | — | $57,498 | $58,170 – $95,300 | 230 |
| Georgia | $72,310 | −7.7% | $56,570 | $49,650 – $98,450 | 380 |
| New York | $68,180 | −47.5% | $53,710 | $45,760 – $170,200 | 6,220 |
| New Mexico | $66,010 | +3.4% | $53,282 | $35,560 – $82,520 | 270 |
| Texas | $65,680 | +8.0% | $54,954 | $39,090 – $94,410 | 2,010 |
| Iowa | $63,540 | +84.6% | $51,472 | $36,250 – $72,980 | — |
| Nebraska | $62,760 | −1.6% | $50,632 | $36,690 – $82,010 | 80 |
| Illinois | $62,580 | +3.6% | $49,510 | $42,320 – $100,460 | 1,080 |
| Missouri | $62,250 | +27.1% | $50,209 | $35,960 – $119,570 | 940 |
| New Hampshire | $61,720 | +11.6% | $51,772 | $49,430 – $84,270 | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $60,870 | +6.4% | $49,192 | $46,580 – $82,200 | 240 |
| Ohio | $60,700 | −3.4% | $50,066 | $45,630 – $101,580 | 1,150 |
| Maine | $60,680 | — | $48,022 | $48,050 – $74,870 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $60,180 | +10.6% | $48,642 | $42,300 – $73,780 | 640 |
| Arizona | $60,130 | −0.9% | $49,200 | $45,920 – $80,680 | 330 |
| North Dakota | $60,060 | −4.5% | $50,438 | $50,160 – $81,240 | 50 |
| South Carolina | $59,800 | +3.9% | $47,798 | $30,580 – $79,190 | 170 |
| California | $59,550 | +6.5% | $47,632 | $38,050 – $117,700 | 2,510 |
| Tennessee | $59,550 | −2.1% | $50,028 | $44,210 – $77,900 | 330 |
| Rhode Island | $59,310 | −7.4% | $48,228 | $34,750 – $97,740 | 120 |
| Delaware | $59,250 | — | $47,176 | $46,600 – $63,430 | 100 |
| Kansas | $59,220 | +3.4% | $47,258 | $47,510 – $75,380 | 350 |
| Florida | $58,240 | +16.4% | $48,976 | $50,100 – $78,340 | 1,370 |
| Utah | $58,230 | +3.9% | $47,313 | $50,630 – $93,410 | 110 |
| Louisiana | $56,890 | +8.0% | $46,571 | $37,750 – $61,200 | 960 |
| Kentucky | $54,220 | −9.4% | $43,966 | $35,690 – $64,000 | — |
| Mississippi | $52,420 | +8.1% | $42,935 | $48,660 – $62,710 | 110 |
| Wyoming | $52,100 | +3.4% | $44,042 | $45,300 – $61,980 | 80 |
| Oklahoma | $49,720 | +3.8% | $40,438 | $40,000 – $58,020 | 60 |
| Idaho | $49,610 | — | $40,521 | $31,720 – $89,540 | 180 |
| Indiana | $48,680 | −9.7% | $39,888 | $35,620 – $76,530 | 380 |
| Arkansas | $35,580 | +1.0% | $29,594 | $27,800 – $53,990 | 510 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $65,120 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $66,810 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $74,260 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $76,580 | Bachelor's degree | +1.9% |
| 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% |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree | -0.4% |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $62,680 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $72,040 | Bachelor's degree | -0.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teachers, preschool make?
The national median salary for special education teachers, preschool is $64,830 a year ($31.17 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,620 and the top 10% earn over $130,040. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays special education teachers, preschool the most?
Massachusetts has the highest median pay at $99,070. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many special education teachers, preschool are there in the U.S.?
About 29,510 people work as special education teachers, preschool nationwide.