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Elementary special education teacher salary
Average elementary special education teacher salary
$51,859
Understanding the Salary of Elementary Special Education Teachers
The average salary for an Elementary Special Education Teacher stands at $51,859 per year. This figure represents a solid income, but actual salaries can differ based on various factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and specific school district policies. For instance, metropolitan areas often offer higher salaries due to increased living costs.
In terms of experience, entry-level teachers may earn less, while those with several years in the field or advanced degrees can command significantly higher salaries. According to data, states such as California and New York consistently rank among the highest-paying regions for this profession. Additionally, specialized roles in schools that focus on inclusive education can also offer increased compensation.
Salary Trends Over Time
Over the past decade, the demand for special education teachers has grown, resulting in a steady increase in average salaries. As the education landscape evolves, opportunities for professional development and advancement in this field continue to expand, allowing teachers to enhance their skills and potentially increase their earnings.
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Where can an Elementary Special Education Teacher earn more?
Elementary special education teacher salary estimates from across the web
Average elementary special education teacher salary by state
The highest-paying states for elementary special education teachers are Alaska, Maryland, and New York. The lowest average elementary special education teacher salary states are Indiana, Arkansas, and Arizona.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for elementary special education teachers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $69,666 | $33.49 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $64,392 | $30.96 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $61,267 | $29.46 |
| 4 | New York | $68,849 | $33.10 |
| 5 | District of Columbia | $69,311 | $33.32 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $61,243 | $29.44 |
| 7 | Wyoming | $53,366 | $25.66 |
| 8 | Oregon | $63,477 | $30.52 |
| 9 | Alaska | $69,865 | $33.59 |
| 10 | Delaware | $56,859 | $27.34 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $62,589 | $30.09 |
| 12 | Vermont | $52,130 | $25.06 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $57,061 | $27.43 |
| 15 | Nebraska | $45,488 | $21.87 |
| 16 | Michigan | $46,398 | $22.31 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $44,367 | $21.33 |
| 18 | Washington | $53,516 | $25.73 |
| 19 | Georgia | $52,595 | $25.29 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $47,687 | $22.93 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $49,496 | $23.80 |
| 22 | Nevada | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| 23 | Illinois | $46,921 | $22.56 |
| 24 | Virginia | $53,353 | $25.65 |
| 25 | Kansas | $45,923 | $22.08 |
| 26 | California | $55,549 | $26.71 |
| 27 | Florida | $47,716 | $22.94 |
| 28 | Iowa | $44,095 | $21.20 |
| 29 | West Virginia | $46,319 | $22.27 |
| 30 | Ohio | $42,567 | $20.46 |
| 31 | Maine | $44,625 | $21.45 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $41,419 | $19.91 |
| 33 | Texas | $45,092 | $21.68 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $43,506 | $20.92 |
| 35 | Wisconsin | $42,685 | $20.52 |
| 36 | Idaho | $42,190 | $20.28 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $43,451 | $20.89 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $48,894 | $23.51 |
| 39 | Alabama | $42,931 | $20.64 |
| 40 | Colorado | $40,598 | $19.52 |
| 41 | Arizona | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 42 | Missouri | $38,973 | $18.74 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $38,575 | $18.55 |
| 44 | Montana | $35,827 | $17.22 |
| 45 | Indiana | $38,773 | $18.64 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $37,473 | $18.02 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $39,564 | $19.02 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $40,605 | $19.52 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $39,882 | $19.17 |
| 50 | Utah | $39,113 | $18.80 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $37,936 | $18.24 |
Highest paying cities for elementary special education teachers
The highest-paying cities for elementary special education teachers are Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore, MD | $70,035 | $33.67 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $69,343 | $33.34 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $69,154 | $33.25 |
| 4 | Oakland, CA | $60,757 | $29.21 |
| 5 | Ashburn, VA | $55,380 | $26.63 |
| 6 | Savannah, GA | $52,695 | $25.33 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $47,713 | $22.94 |
| 8 | Detroit, MI | $46,647 | $22.43 |
| 9 | Kansas City, KS | $46,203 | $22.21 |
| 10 | El Paso, TX | $45,752 | $22.00 |
| 11 | Columbia, SC | $43,545 | $20.94 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs, IA | $43,138 | $20.74 |
| 13 | Santa Fe, NM | $41,212 | $19.81 |
| 14 | New Orleans, LA | $40,701 | $19.57 |
| 15 | Denver, CO | $40,621 | $19.53 |
| 16 | Kansas City, MO | $38,920 | $18.71 |
| 17 | Maricopa, AZ | $38,234 | $18.38 |
| 18 | Edmond, OK | $37,445 | $18.00 |
Elementary special education teacher salary details
An elementary special education teacher's salary ranges from $38,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $70,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an elementary special education teacher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $70,000 | $5,833 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
| Average | $51,859 | $4,322 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 10th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
Highest paying elementary special education teacher jobs
The highest paying types of elementary special education teachers are science teacher, student teacher, and reading teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
| Language Teacher | $51,413 | $4,284 | $24.72 | 74,479 |
| Resource Teacher | $43,487 | $3,624 | $20.91 | 73,796 |
| Reading Teacher | $55,452 | $4,621 | $26.66 | 68,234 |
| Guest Teacher | $32,547 | $2,712 | $15.65 | 84,930 |
| Math Teacher | $51,088 | $4,257 | $24.56 | 59,347 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for elementary special education teachers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.
Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis
Top companies hiring elementary special education teachers now:
Which companies pay elementary special education teachers the most?
Elementary special education teacher salaries at Baltimore City Public Schools and DC International School are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average elementary special education teacher salary at companies like San Jacinto Unified School District and Bilinguals are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baltimore City Public Schools | $78,246 | $37.62 |
| 2 | DC International School | $70,408 | $33.85 |
| 3 | San Jacinto Unified School District | $65,882 | $31.67 |
| 4 | Bilingual Therapies | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| 5 | Hillsboro School District | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| 6 | Houston ISD Foundation | $63,861 | $30.70 |
| 7 | Soliant | $63,711 | $30.63 |
| 8 | KIPP Nashville | $62,976 | $30.28 |
| 9 | Los Angeles Unified School District | $62,975 | $30.28 |
| 10 | Prince George's County Memorial Library System | $62,865 | $30.22 |
| 11 | Savannah-Chatham County Public School System | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| 12 | Newton Public Schools | $60,875 | $29.27 |
| 13 | The Academy of Alameda | $60,094 | $28.89 |
| 14 | PCSST | $59,944 | $28.82 |
| 15 | FCSD | $58,813 | $28.28 |
| 16 | DC Prep | $58,659 | $28.20 |
| 17 | Bright Star Schools | $58,626 | $28.19 |
| 18 | Erie 1 Boces | $58,157 | $27.96 |
| 19 | TLC - The Treatment and Learning Centers | $57,976 | $27.87 |
| 20 | Ontario-Montclair School District | $57,848 | $27.81 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Elementary special education teacher salary trends
The average elementary special education teacher salary has risen by $5,778 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average elementary special education teacher earned $46,081 annually, but today, they earn $51,859 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for elementary special education teachers over the last decade.
Compare elementary special education teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average elementary special education teacher salary over time
Compare elementary special education teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Elementary special education teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $51,900 | $24.93 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $51,700 | $24.87 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $50,800 | $24.43 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $50,100 | $24.10 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $48,800 | $23.46 | +2.2% |
Recently added elementary special education teacher salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo Public Schools | Elementary Special Education Teacher-Resource Room | Fargo, ND | 06/30/2025 | $47,393 |
| Highline School District | Summer School Elementary Special Education Teacher Pool Hours/Day (Internal Only) | Burien, WA | 06/30/2025 | $103,244 |
| JFF | Elementary Special Education Teacher | Denver, CO | 06/29/2025 | $62,000 |
| Kipp Dc | Elementary Special Education Teacher (ESE) | Miami, FL | 06/29/2025 | $55,000 |
| Hendry | Elementary School Special Education Teacher | Noma, FL | 06/28/2025 | $48,500 |
| Strideinc | Elementary Special Education Teacher | Modoc, IN | 06/28/2025 | $46,000 |
| Amergis | Elementary Special Education Teacher | Rio Rancho, NM | 06/28/2025 | $82,176 |
| Blue Valley School District | Special Education Para I-Early Childhood (2 Days/Week)-Wolf Springs Elementary Schoo | Overland Park, KS | 06/27/2025 | $32,286 |
| Downingtown Area School District | Teacher-Elementary-Special Education-Life Skills Support | Downingtown, PA | 06/27/2025 | $50,000 |
| Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District | Elementary Teacher of Special Education FTE) | Bridgewater, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $59,700 |
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