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Special education associate salary
Average special education associate salary
$16.46
Understanding Special Education Associate Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Special Education Associate is $34,246 annually. Factors influencing salary include geographic location, years of experience, and specific job responsibilities. In states like California and New York, salaries can be significantly higher due to higher living costs and demand for skilled professionals in education. For instance, experienced associates may earn upwards of $40,000 in these regions.
In addition to state-specific salaries, the type of institution also plays a role. Associates working in public schools might earn differently than those in private institutions or specialized educational settings. This variance underscores the importance of researching local job markets and networking within the education sector.
Job seekers can enhance their prospects by gaining relevant certifications or additional training in special education. Understanding the local demand for special education professionals can also guide career planning, positioning candidates to negotiate better salaries and benefits. Ultimately, the path to a fulfilling career as a Special Education Associate is informed by continuous learning and adaptation to the evolving educational landscape.
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Where can a Special Education Associate earn more?
Special education associate salary estimates from across the web
Average special education associate salary by state
The highest-paying states for special education associates are Alaska, Oregon, and Pennsylvania. The lowest average special education associate salary states are Arkansas, North Carolina, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for special education associates
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | $42,168 | $20.27 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $46,233 | $22.23 |
| 3 | Oregon | $42,627 | $20.49 |
| 4 | Alaska | $45,030 | $21.65 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $37,655 | $18.10 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $39,538 | $19.01 |
| 7 | New York | $41,517 | $19.96 |
| 8 | Delaware | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| 9 | Washington | $39,201 | $18.85 |
| 10 | California | $41,851 | $20.12 |
| 11 | Vermont | $34,635 | $16.65 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $39,082 | $18.79 |
| 13 | Georgia | $41,014 | $19.72 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $40,419 | $19.43 |
| 15 | Rhode Island | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| 16 | Illinois | $35,535 | $17.08 |
| 17 | Nebraska | $32,108 | $15.44 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $32,414 | $15.58 |
| 19 | North Dakota | $33,942 | $16.32 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $30,844 | $14.83 |
| 21 | Maryland | $37,814 | $18.18 |
| 22 | Nevada | $33,387 | $16.05 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $39,802 | $19.14 |
| 24 | Michigan | $30,400 | $14.62 |
| 25 | Kansas | $32,548 | $15.65 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $32,361 | $15.56 |
| 27 | West Virginia | $31,028 | $14.92 |
| 28 | Arizona | $30,005 | $14.43 |
| 29 | Virginia | $35,185 | $16.92 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $30,799 | $14.81 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $30,698 | $14.76 |
| 32 | Maine | $30,114 | $14.48 |
| 33 | Florida | $33,058 | $15.89 |
| 34 | Ohio | $28,255 | $13.58 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $30,507 | $14.67 |
| 36 | Alabama | $30,411 | $14.62 |
| 37 | Iowa | $29,615 | $14.24 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $28,470 | $13.69 |
| 39 | Missouri | $27,523 | $13.23 |
| 40 | Colorado | $29,058 | $13.97 |
| 41 | Utah | $28,091 | $13.51 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $27,459 | $13.20 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $26,787 | $12.88 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $27,987 | $13.46 |
| 45 | Texas | $29,654 | $14.26 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| 47 | Idaho | $29,067 | $13.97 |
| 48 | Montana | $24,829 | $11.94 |
| 49 | Indiana | $26,476 | $12.73 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $26,988 | $12.97 |
| 51 | North Carolina | $27,350 | $13.15 |
Highest paying cities for special education associates
The highest-paying cities for special education associates are San Francisco, CA, Salem, OR, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $44,019 | $21.16 |
| 2 | Salem, OR | $42,784 | $20.57 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $41,721 | $20.06 |
| 4 | Chicago, IL | $35,645 | $17.14 |
| 5 | Charlottesville, VA | $34,681 | $16.67 |
| 6 | Jacksonville, FL | $32,665 | $15.70 |
| 7 | Edina, MN | $32,347 | $15.55 |
| 8 | Urbandale, IA | $29,568 | $14.22 |
| 9 | Houston, TX | $29,557 | $14.21 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $29,069 | $13.98 |
Special education associate salary details
A special education associate's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a special education associate's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $34,246 | $2,854 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying special education associate jobs
The highest paying types of special education associates are special education teacher, teacher internship, and education technician.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child Care Teacher | $26,036 | $2,170 | $12.52 | 139,010 |
| Student Internship | $31,256 | $2,605 | $15.03 | 55,578 |
| Teacher Internship | $48,398 | $4,033 | $23.27 | 105,496 |
| Teacher Aide | $29,480 | $2,457 | $14.17 | 106,207 |
| Instructional Aide | $30,993 | $2,583 | $14.90 | 60,846 |
| Para Educator | $31,394 | $2,616 | $15.09 | 56,897 |
Top companies hiring special education associates now:
Which companies pay special education associates the most?
Special education associate salaries at Success Academy Charter Schools and Invesco are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special education associate salary at companies like Huron Consulting Group and Portland State University are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Success Academy Charter Schools | $48,139 | $23.14 |
| 2 | Invesco | $46,831 | $22.51 |
| 3 | Huron Consulting Group | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| 4 | Portland State University | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| 5 | ORIX USA | $44,245 | $21.27 |
| 6 | WestEd | $40,029 | $19.24 |
| 7 | Touro College | $38,385 | $18.45 |
| 8 | San Diego Global Vision Academy | $38,027 | $18.28 |
| 9 | Edina Public Schools | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| 10 | HD Supply | $37,672 | $18.11 |
| 11 | Voices College-Bound Language Academies | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| 12 | Winnetka Public Schools-District 36 | $37,059 | $17.82 |
| 13 | East Stroudsburg University | $36,195 | $17.40 |
| 14 | Wells Fargo | $36,185 | $17.40 |
| 15 | The Mosaic Company | $36,108 | $17.36 |
| 16 | Regions Bank | $35,038 | $16.85 |
| 17 | U.S. Bank | $34,654 | $16.66 |
| 18 | Rocky Mountain Prep | $34,051 | $16.37 |
| 19 | Metropolitan State University of Denver | $33,110 | $15.92 |
| 20 | Helzberg Diamonds | $32,606 | $15.68 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Special education associate salary trends
The average special education associate salary has risen by $3,815 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special education associate earned $30,431 annually, but today, they earn $34,246 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for special education associates over the last decade.
Compare special education associate salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average special education associate salary over time
Compare special education associate salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Special education associate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,200 | $16.46 | +0.3% |
| 2025 | $34,200 | $16.42 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $33,600 | $16.13 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $33,100 | $15.92 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $32,200 | $15.49 | +2.2% |
Recently added special education associate salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edina, Mn Public Schools | Educational Associate-Special Education (Multiple Positions) | Edina, MN | 06/19/2025 | $48,001 |
| Burlington Community School District | Associate-Special Education Senior Associate | Burlington, IA | 06/17/2025 | $31,180 |
| Teach Iowa | Associate-Special Education Senior Associate | Bode, IA | 06/13/2025 | $31,180 |
| Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District | Special Education Associate | Bode, IA | 06/13/2025 | $33,392 |
| Winnetka Public Schools | K-4 Special Education Associate--Multiple Positions | Winnetka, IL | 05/22/2025 | $44,453 |
| Woodstock Community Unit District 200 | Associate, Special Education Target One-To-One | Woodstock, IL | 05/13/2025 | $38,255 |
| Young Adult Institute | Teacher (Associate)-Special Education | New York, NY | 05/10/2025 | $53,900 |
| Waverly-Shell Rock Community School District | Special Education Associate | Bode, IA | 05/10/2025 | $32,870 |
| Young Adult Institute | Teacher (Associate)-Special Education | New York, NY | 04/28/2025 | $53,900 |
| Bain Capital | Associate, Special Situations (2026)-Zach LU | Boston, MA | 04/27/2025 | $150,000 |
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