How To Become A Middle School Special Education Teacher: What It Is and Career Path

What is a middle school special education teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. PJ Sedillo

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a middle school special education teacher. For example, did you know that they make an average of $23.1 an hour? That's $48,050 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 20,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a middle school special education teacher?

Dr. PJ Sedillo

Associate Professor

Between lesson planning, IEPs, meetings with parents, and getting to know your students, your first year as a special education teacher can be overwhelming. Knowing how to manage it by planning ahead can help you have a successful first year. Special education students require much more documentation than other students. By keeping track of each little success and setback, the teacher will quickly see the trends that help create a positive learning environment for each student. Sharing the progress with the students is another form of positive feedback.

ScoreMiddle School Special Education TeacherUS Average

Salary

3.8

Avg. Salary $48,050

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

9.1

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

5.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.33%

Asian 3.16%

Black or African American 5.98%

Hispanic or Latino 8.70%

Unknown 3.82%

White 78.02%

Gender

female 68.57%

male 31.43%

Age - 42

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 42

Stress level

9.1

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.9

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.5

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a middle school special education teacher

Explore middle school special education teacher education requirements

Most common middle school special education teacher degrees

Bachelor's

64.5 %

Master's

12.9 %

Associate

9.7 %

Research middle school special education teacher duties and responsibilities

Administer individualized instruction in reading and math to students in special education and general education as a push-in and pull-out instructor.
Create Smartboard activities to further instruction through technology.

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Apply for middle school special education teacher jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a middle school special education teacher job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do middle school special education teachers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

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1 star

Middle school special education teacher reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023

Cons

The demand and low pay. Teachers have families, too.

A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2022

Pros

You got to work with learners who will love you unconditionally. It gives a great satisfaction to be able to help them. I love learners with Special Needs and I am a Mom of one.