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Reading specialist salary
Average reading specialist salary
$57,978
Exploring the Salary of Reading Specialists
As of October 2025, Reading Specialists earn an average salary of $57,978 per year. This figure can fluctuate based on various factors, including geographic location and level of experience. For instance, Reading Specialists in states like California and New York often report higher salaries due to the increased cost of living and greater demand for educational support.
Years of experience also play a crucial role in salary variation. Entry-level Reading Specialists may start at lower salaries, while those with advanced degrees or certifications can expect to earn significantly more. Additionally, working in specialized settings such as private schools or educational consultancies may offer enhanced pay prospects.
Factors Influencing Earnings
- Location: Salaries vary widely by state, with urban areas typically offering higher compensation.
- Experience: More years in the field often lead to increased earnings.
- Educational Setting: Private institutions may provide better salaries compared to public schools.
Overall, understanding the salary landscape for Reading Specialists can equip you with the knowledge needed to navigate your career effectively.
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Where can a Reading Specialist earn more?
Reading specialist salary estimates from across the web
Average reading specialist salary by state
The highest-paying states for reading specialists are Alaska, New York, and Connecticut. The lowest average reading specialist salary states are North Carolina, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for reading specialists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $76,414 | $36.74 |
| 2 | New York | $76,618 | $36.84 |
| 3 | Maryland | $72,071 | $34.65 |
| 4 | Wyoming | $62,763 | $30.17 |
| 5 | Alaska | $79,416 | $38.18 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $65,305 | $31.40 |
| 7 | Nevada | $56,634 | $27.23 |
| 8 | Vermont | $59,385 | $28.55 |
| 9 | Oregon | $64,995 | $31.25 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $73,942 | $35.55 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $69,846 | $33.58 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $62,085 | $29.85 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $55,090 | $26.49 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $61,291 | $29.47 |
| 15 | Washington | $65,202 | $31.35 |
| 16 | Delaware | $55,537 | $26.70 |
| 17 | California | $69,174 | $33.26 |
| 18 | North Dakota | $54,434 | $26.17 |
| 19 | Illinois | $53,372 | $25.66 |
| 20 | Colorado | $53,793 | $25.86 |
| 21 | Nebraska | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| 22 | Georgia | $57,326 | $27.56 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $50,967 | $24.50 |
| 24 | Hawaii | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| 25 | Texas | $51,087 | $24.56 |
| 26 | Missouri | $53,159 | $25.56 |
| 27 | Michigan | $49,275 | $23.69 |
| 28 | Idaho | $50,454 | $24.26 |
| 29 | Ohio | $50,722 | $24.39 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $50,698 | $24.37 |
| 31 | Maine | $51,555 | $24.79 |
| 32 | Arizona | $48,624 | $23.38 |
| 33 | Kansas | $49,131 | $23.62 |
| 34 | Iowa | $48,344 | $23.24 |
| 35 | Alabama | $50,615 | $24.33 |
| 36 | Florida | $50,127 | $24.10 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $50,183 | $24.13 |
| 38 | West Virginia | $49,458 | $23.78 |
| 39 | Montana | $46,454 | $22.33 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $48,235 | $23.19 |
| 41 | Minnesota | $48,144 | $23.15 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $48,038 | $23.10 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $44,851 | $21.56 |
| 44 | Virginia | $48,725 | $23.43 |
| 45 | Utah | $48,008 | $23.08 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $45,738 | $21.99 |
| 47 | North Carolina | $45,733 | $21.99 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $44,955 | $21.61 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $44,909 | $21.59 |
| 50 | Indiana | $42,370 | $20.37 |
| 51 | Wisconsin | $44,920 | $21.60 |
Highest paying cities for reading specialists
The highest-paying cities for reading specialists are New York, NY, Boston, MA, and Annapolis, MD.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $76,864 | $36.95 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $74,106 | $35.63 |
| 3 | Annapolis, MD | $72,386 | $34.80 |
| 4 | Petaluma, CA | $72,095 | $34.66 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $69,873 | $33.59 |
| 6 | Jersey City, NJ | $65,467 | $31.47 |
| 7 | Salem, OR | $65,014 | $31.26 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $62,804 | $30.19 |
| 9 | Carson City, NV | $58,464 | $28.11 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $57,214 | $27.51 |
| 11 | Nashua, NH | $55,151 | $26.51 |
| 12 | Bismarck, ND | $54,347 | $26.13 |
| 13 | Denver, CO | $53,802 | $25.87 |
| 14 | Springfield, IL | $53,152 | $25.55 |
| 15 | Saint Louis, MO | $53,018 | $25.49 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $51,228 | $24.63 |
| 17 | Santa Fe, NM | $50,821 | $24.43 |
| 18 | Springfield, OH | $50,197 | $24.13 |
| 19 | Detroit, MI | $49,433 | $23.77 |
| 20 | Yuma, AZ | $49,105 | $23.61 |
Reading specialist salary details
A reading specialist's salary ranges from $43,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $76,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a reading specialist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $76,000 | $6,333 | $37 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,000 | $5,583 | $32 |
| Average | $57,978 | $4,832 | $28 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 10th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
Highest paying reading specialist jobs
The highest paying types of reading specialists are director of special education, special education itinerant teacher, and special education coordinator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Grade Teacher | $49,757 | $4,146 | $23.92 | 70,517 |
| Special Education Itinerant Teacher | $74,109 | $6,176 | $35.63 | 75,648 |
| Special Education Resource Teacher | $49,296 | $4,108 | $23.70 | 82,491 |
| Special Education Teacher | $54,290 | $4,524 | $26.10 | 67,699 |
| Special Education Coordinator | $70,637 | $5,886 | $33.96 | 65,507 |
| Special ED Teacher | $49,456 | $4,121 | $23.78 | 71,990 |
Which companies pay reading specialists the most?
Reading specialist salaries at Central State University and Eagle Academy Public Charter School are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average reading specialist salary at companies like Montgomery County Public Schools and Maxim Healthcare Group are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central State University | $66,075 | $31.77 |
| 2 | Eagle Academy Public Charter School | $62,972 | $30.27 |
| 3 | Montgomery County Public Schools | $61,801 | $29.71 |
| 4 | Maxim Healthcare Group | $61,567 | $29.60 |
| 5 | Springfield City Library | $59,515 | $28.61 |
| 6 | CAPITAL PREP HARBOR SCHOOL | $58,251 | $28.01 |
| 7 | Miriam Foundation | $58,131 | $27.95 |
| 8 | Columbia International University | $57,741 | $27.76 |
| 9 | Saint Theresa School | $56,727 | $27.27 |
| 10 | Apis | $56,681 | $27.25 |
| 11 | Carbon Lehigh IU #21 | $56,082 | $26.96 |
| 12 | West Philadelphia Achievement Charter Elementary School | $56,001 | $26.92 |
| 13 | Oxnard Union High School District | $55,397 | $26.63 |
| 14 | Friendship Christian School | $55,037 | $26.46 |
| 15 | Huntington Learning Center | $54,532 | $26.22 |
| 16 | Pioneer Center | $54,355 | $26.13 |
| 17 | PHMC | $54,277 | $26.09 |
| 18 | Mystic Valley Regional Charter School | $52,802 | $25.39 |
| 19 | Supportive Concepts for Families | $52,686 | $25.33 |
| 20 | Voices College-Bound Language Academies | $52,585 | $25.28 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Reading specialist salary trends
The average reading specialist salary has risen by $6,459 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average reading specialist earned $51,519 annually, but today, they earn $57,978 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for reading specialists over the last decade.
Compare reading specialist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average reading specialist salary over time
Compare reading specialist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Reading specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $58,000 | $27.87 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $57,800 | $27.80 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $56,800 | $27.31 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $56,000 | $26.95 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $54,600 | $26.23 | +2.2% |
Recently added reading specialist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Devereux | Reading Specialist-Day Academy Landenberg | London Britain, PA | 06/29/2025 | $63,000 |
| Virginia Beach Public School | Reading Specialist | Virginia Beach, VA | 06/28/2025 | $55,687 |
| Muncie Public Library | Ready Readers Specialist II | Muncie, IN | 06/26/2025 | $32,870 |
| Bakersfield City School District | Teacher, Reading Intervention Specialist Literacy Coaches and Reading Specialists Educator Training | Bakersfield, CA | 06/20/2025 | $74,373 |
| Canon-McMillan School District | Reading Specialist: Day-To-Day Substitute | Kane, PA | 06/19/2025 | $39,131 |
| Curriculum Associates | Professional Learning ELA or Reading Specialist, Biliterate Dallas-Fort Worth Area | Rusk, TX | 06/18/2025 | $60,750 |
| Tennessee Board of Regents | Reading/Writing Specialist | Gallatin, TN | 06/18/2025 | $43,888 |
| Central Linn Sd 552 | Reading Specialist | Ione, OR | 06/18/2025 | $45,102 |
| Burlington County Special Services School District | ESU Reading Specialist | Westampton, NJ | 06/15/2025 | $64,064 |
| Teaneck School District | Reading Specialist-Special Education | Teaneck, NJ | 06/14/2025 | $56,750 |
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