Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
As of October 2025, a Severe Disabilities Special Education Teacher earns an average salary of $94,545 per year in the United States. Salaries for this role can vary based on a variety of factors, including geographic location, years of experience, and the specific school district. In addition to the base salary, many teachers may receive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, which can significantly impact overall compensation.
Teachers in states like California and New York often see higher salaries due to the higher cost of living and increased demand for special education professionals. Cities known for their investment in education, such as San Francisco and New York City, frequently offer the highest salaries for this position.
The demand for special education teachers is expected to grow as schools continue to focus on inclusive education practices. Professionals in this field can pursue advanced certifications, which may lead to higher salaries and specialized roles within the educational system.
For those considering a career in special education, understanding the salary landscape and potential for advancement in this field is crucial. Whether you're new to teaching or looking to transition into special education, there are abundant opportunities to make a meaningful impact.
Let Zippia find your next severe disabilities special education teacher job
Let Zippia find your next severe disabilities special education teacher job
The highest-paying states for severe disabilities special education teachers are New Jersey, New York, and New Mexico. The lowest average severe disabilities special education teacher salary states are Minnesota, Hawaii, and Iowa.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | $110,417 | $53.09 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $114,746 | $55.17 |
| 3 | Michigan | $108,709 | $52.26 |
| 4 | New York | $114,445 | $55.02 |
| 5 | Oklahoma | $103,470 | $49.75 |
| 6 | Delaware | $106,795 | $51.34 |
| 7 | Texas | $109,511 | $52.65 |
| 8 | Washington | $109,989 | $52.88 |
| 9 | Nevada | $106,798 | $51.35 |
| 10 | Arkansas | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $106,339 | $51.12 |
| 12 | New Hampshire | $100,154 | $48.15 |
| 13 | Maryland | $106,237 | $51.08 |
| 14 | Ohio | $94,710 | $45.53 |
| 15 | Tennessee | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $104,996 | $50.48 |
| 17 | Kentucky | $91,326 | $43.91 |
| 18 | Georgia | $103,673 | $49.84 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $106,084 | $51.00 |
| 20 | Maine | $101,420 | $48.76 |
| 21 | Massachusetts | $102,839 | $49.44 |
| 22 | Indiana | $92,998 | $44.71 |
| 23 | Vermont | $96,695 | $46.49 |
| 24 | Idaho | $99,364 | $47.77 |
| 25 | Alaska | $101,422 | $48.76 |
| 26 | Missouri | $89,623 | $43.09 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $88,951 | $42.76 |
| 28 | West Virginia | $95,597 | $45.96 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | $91,951 | $44.21 |
| 30 | Nebraska | $86,747 | $41.71 |
| 31 | California | $102,927 | $49.48 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $90,236 | $43.38 |
| 33 | Mississippi | $93,846 | $45.12 |
| 34 | Arizona | $89,509 | $43.03 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $90,698 | $43.60 |
| 36 | North Dakota | $89,351 | $42.96 |
| 37 | Montana | $83,049 | $39.93 |
| 38 | Illinois | $81,865 | $39.36 |
| 39 | Utah | $87,862 | $42.24 |
| 40 | Oregon | $86,893 | $41.78 |
| 41 | Colorado | $83,400 | $40.10 |
| 42 | North Carolina | $83,901 | $40.34 |
| 43 | Virginia | $87,433 | $42.04 |
| 44 | Minnesota | $80,165 | $38.54 |
| 45 | Wyoming | $73,453 | $35.31 |
| 46 | South Dakota | $84,406 | $40.58 |
| 47 | Kansas | $76,802 | $36.92 |
| 48 | Iowa | $78,153 | $37.57 |
| 49 | Alabama | $80,867 | $38.88 |
| 50 | Florida | $77,030 | $37.03 |
| 51 | Hawaii | $79,775 | $38.35 |
The highest-paying cities for severe disabilities special education teachers are Newark, NJ, Santa Clara, CA, and Milpitas, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newark, NJ | $114,646 | $55.12 |
| 2 | Santa Clara, CA | $106,309 | $51.11 |
| 3 | Milpitas, CA | $106,299 | $51.11 |
| 4 | Campbell, CA | $106,256 | $51.08 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $106,175 | $51.05 |
| 6 | Salinas, CA | $105,669 | $50.80 |
| 7 | Madera, CA | $104,820 | $50.39 |
| 8 | Visalia, CA | $103,932 | $49.97 |
| 9 | Boston, MA | $102,605 | $49.33 |
| 10 | Thermal, CA | $100,789 | $48.46 |
A severe disabilities special education teacher's salary ranges from $64,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $139,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $139,000 | $11,583 | $67 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,000 | $9,583 | $55 |
| Average | $94,545 | $7,879 | $45 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,000 | $6,417 | $37 |
| 10th Percentile | $64,000 | $5,333 | $31 |
The highest paying types of severe disabilities special education teachers are special education supervisor, inclusion special educator, and career and transition teacher.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher | $47,989 | $3,999 | $23.07 | 71,918 |
| Visually Impaired Teacher | $56,263 | $4,689 | $27.05 | 67,272 |
| Special Education Supervisor | $72,268 | $6,022 | $34.74 | 49,236 |
| Special Education Teacher | $54,290 | $4,524 | $26.10 | 67,699 |
Severe disabilities special education teacher salaries at Boston Public Schools and Santa Clara County Office of Education are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average severe disabilities special education teacher salary at companies like Madera County Superintendent of Schools and Tulare County Office of Education are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Public Schools | $105,690 | $50.81 |
| 2 | Santa Clara County Office of Education | $91,337 | $43.91 |
| 3 | Madera County Superintendent of Schools | $90,450 | $43.49 |
| 4 | Tulare County Office of Education | $55,179 | $26.53 |
| 5 | Newark Unified School District | $44,962 | $21.62 |
The average severe disabilities special education teacher salary has risen by $11,045 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average severe disabilities special education teacher earned $83,500 annually, but today, they earn $94,545 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for severe disabilities special education teachers over the last decade.
Compare severe disabilities special education teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare severe disabilities special education teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $94,500 | $45.45 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $92,400 | $44.41 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $90,400 | $43.45 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | $89,700 | $43.15 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | $89,000 | $42.80 | +2.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldwin Park Unified School District | Substitute With Single Subject/Special ED Mild=Severe | Baldwin Park, CA | 02/17/2025 | $53,479 |
| Community Unit School District 300 | Cross Categorical-Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Paraeducator-300 Plus | Kane, IL | 02/13/2025 | $39,069 |
| Madera County Office of Education | Teacher, Severely Disabled (Chowchilla High) | Madera, CA | 05/29/2024 | $57,826 |
| Madera County Office of Education | Teacher, Severely Disabled (Millview) | Madera, CA | 05/07/2024 | $57,826 |
| Monterey County Office of Education | Teacher, Programs for The Severely Disabled | Salinas, CA | 02/29/2024 | $57,721 |
| Monterey County Office of Education | Teacher, Programs for The Severely Disabled | Salinas, CA | 02/29/2024 | $57,721 |
| Monterey County Office of Education | Teacher, Programs for The Severely Disabled | Salinas, CA | 02/29/2024 | $57,721 |
| Monterey County Office of Education | Teacher, Programs for The Severely Disabled | Salinas, CA | 02/29/2024 | $57,721 |
| Monterey County Office of Education | Teacher, Programs for The Severely Disabled | Salinas, CA | 02/29/2024 | $57,721 |
| Monterey County Office of Education | Teacher, Programs for The Severely Disabled | Salinas, CA | 02/29/2024 | $57,721 |
Search for severe disabilities special education teacher jobs