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Special education instructor salary
Average special education instructor salary
$16.53
Understanding Special Education Instructor Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Special Education Instructor is about $34,380 per year. This figure can vary significantly based on geographical location, years of experience, and the specific school district or institution. For instance, instructors with advanced degrees or certifications may earn higher salaries, reflecting their specialized skills and qualifications.
Salary Variation by State
Some states offer more competitive salaries than others. For example, states like California and New York typically provide higher compensation due to the cost of living and demand for qualified educators. It’s beneficial for prospective instructors to research local salaries and job markets.
Job Opportunities and Growth
The demand for special education instructors is steadily growing, with many school districts actively seeking qualified candidates. Job seekers can explore various roles, from classroom instruction to administrative positions, enhancing their career prospects. Consider joining professional organizations and pursuing continuing education opportunities to stay informed and competitive in the field.
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Where can a Special Education Instructor earn more?
Average special education instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for special education instructors are Alaska, California, and Massachusetts. The lowest average special education instructor salary states are South Carolina, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for special education instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $67,804 | $32.60 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $45,359 | $21.81 |
| 3 | Oregon | $46,113 | $22.17 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | $45,638 | $21.94 |
| 5 | Colorado | $44,196 | $21.25 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $43,949 | $21.13 |
| 7 | California | $51,575 | $24.80 |
| 8 | Michigan | $40,095 | $19.28 |
| 9 | Washington | $47,082 | $22.64 |
| 10 | Iowa | $44,012 | $21.16 |
| 11 | Vermont | $39,665 | $19.07 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $42,648 | $20.50 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $49,228 | $23.67 |
| 14 | North Dakota | $42,837 | $20.59 |
| 15 | Nebraska | $38,098 | $18.32 |
| 16 | Illinois | $40,900 | $19.66 |
| 17 | Nevada | $37,866 | $18.20 |
| 18 | New York | $43,879 | $21.10 |
| 19 | Hawaii | $48,289 | $23.22 |
| 20 | Rhode Island | $41,367 | $19.89 |
| 21 | Ohio | $37,978 | $18.26 |
| 22 | Texas | $41,293 | $19.85 |
| 23 | Maryland | $41,685 | $20.04 |
| 24 | District of Columbia | $47,446 | $22.81 |
| 25 | Kentucky | $35,294 | $16.97 |
| 26 | Missouri | $38,030 | $18.28 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $36,943 | $17.76 |
| 28 | Delaware | $37,336 | $17.95 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| 30 | Idaho | $35,458 | $17.05 |
| 31 | Tennessee | $35,456 | $17.05 |
| 32 | Kansas | $35,148 | $16.90 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $34,437 | $16.56 |
| 34 | Florida | $36,226 | $17.42 |
| 35 | Georgia | $36,359 | $17.48 |
| 36 | Arizona | $32,556 | $15.65 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $34,052 | $16.37 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $33,911 | $16.30 |
| 39 | Maine | $34,398 | $16.54 |
| 40 | Alabama | $34,958 | $16.81 |
| 41 | West Virginia | $34,509 | $16.59 |
| 42 | Montana | $31,320 | $15.06 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $32,420 | $15.59 |
| 44 | Wisconsin | $33,493 | $16.10 |
| 45 | Utah | $32,882 | $15.81 |
| 46 | Oklahoma | $31,350 | $15.07 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $33,168 | $15.95 |
| 48 | Virginia | $32,739 | $15.74 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $32,200 | $15.48 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $31,287 | $15.04 |
| 51 | Indiana | $30,615 | $14.72 |
Highest paying cities for special education instructors
The highest-paying cities for special education instructors are Martinez, CA, Norwood, MA, and Abington, PA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Martinez, CA | $54,407 | $26.16 |
| 2 | Norwood, MA | $49,275 | $23.69 |
| 3 | Abington, PA | $45,846 | $22.04 |
| 4 | Thornton, CO | $44,367 | $21.33 |
| 5 | Milford, CT | $43,996 | $21.15 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $43,925 | $21.12 |
| 7 | Grand Forks, ND | $43,011 | $20.68 |
| 8 | Baltimore, MD | $41,848 | $20.12 |
| 9 | Lubbock, TX | $41,662 | $20.03 |
| 10 | Addison, IL | $41,009 | $19.72 |
| 11 | Warren, MI | $40,125 | $19.29 |
| 12 | Omaha, NE | $38,149 | $18.34 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| 14 | Rochester, MN | $36,393 | $17.50 |
| 15 | Miami, FL | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| 16 | Aberdeen, SD | $34,677 | $16.67 |
| 17 | Parkersburg, WV | $34,638 | $16.65 |
| 18 | Pocatello, ID | $34,470 | $16.57 |
| 19 | Hobbs, NM | $34,188 | $16.44 |
| 20 | Chapel Hill, NC | $34,175 | $16.43 |
Special education instructor salary details
A special education instructor's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a special education instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $34,380 | $2,865 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying special education instructor jobs
The highest paying types of special education instructors are director of special education, special education coordinator, and reading specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Support Teacher | $33,914 | $2,826 | $16.30 | 120,054 |
| Resource Teacher | $43,487 | $3,624 | $20.91 | 73,796 |
| Learning Disabilities Teacher | $39,809 | $3,317 | $19.14 | 73,700 |
| Education Paraprofessional | $31,158 | $2,596 | $14.98 | 53,164 |
| Special Needs Teacher | $47,334 | $3,945 | $22.76 | 74,039 |
| Correspondence School Instructor | $42,601 | $3,550 | $20.48 | 67,548 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for special education instructors, 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 special education instructors now:
Which companies pay special education instructors the most?
Special education instructor salaries at Missouri State University and City of Baltimore are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special education instructor salary at companies like State of Colorado and Frederick County are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Missouri State University | $72,596 | $34.90 |
| 2 | City of Baltimore | $64,088 | $30.81 |
| 3 | State of Colorado | $55,128 | $26.50 |
| 4 | Frederick County | $54,874 | $26.38 |
| 5 | Iowa Department of Transportation | $53,032 | $25.50 |
| 6 | EPIC Academy | $50,343 | $24.20 |
| 7 | PSEA | $50,107 | $24.09 |
| 8 | Loyola Marymount University | $49,427 | $23.76 |
| 9 | San Diego College of Continuing Education | $48,888 | $23.50 |
| 10 | Albany Community Charter School | $48,462 | $23.30 |
| 11 | Derby Public Schools | $47,690 | $22.93 |
| 12 | Texas Tech University | $47,665 | $22.92 |
| 13 | University of North Carolina | $47,319 | $22.75 |
| 14 | Fayette County Public Schools | $46,046 | $22.14 |
| 15 | City Of Miami | $44,962 | $21.62 |
| 16 | Addison Trail High School | $44,217 | $21.26 |
| 17 | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | $44,054 | $21.18 |
| 18 | Ivy Tech Community College | $43,669 | $20.99 |
| 19 | State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia | $43,321 | $20.83 |
| 20 | Morton High School | $43,188 | $20.76 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Special education instructor salary trends
The average special education instructor salary has risen by $3,830 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special education instructor earned $30,550 annually, but today, they earn $34,380 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for special education instructors over the last decade.
Compare special education instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average special education instructor salary over time
Compare special education instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Special education instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,400 | $16.53 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $34,300 | $16.49 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $33,700 | $16.19 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $33,200 | $15.98 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $32,300 | $15.55 | +2.2% |
Recently added special education instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Early Intervention Special Instructor-Remote | WFH | Brookhaven, PA | 06/29/2025 | $41,740 |
| Lincoln Public Schools Ne | Para, Special Education Piii~/General Instruction Hrs/Day Total, 183 Days | Lincoln, NE | 06/27/2025 | $37,566 |
| Elwyn | Special Instructor LEA | Philadelphia, PA | 06/26/2025 | $55,000 |
| Brentwood Union Elementary | Teacher Special Education-Instructional Support Provider School Year (Pool) | Brentwood, CA | 06/26/2025 | $65,357 |
| Oregon Public Schools | Instructional Facilitator Tosa Sped-Teacher On Special Assignment (Tosa)-Special Education | Gresham, OR | 06/22/2025 | $51,120 |
| Pinnacle Charter School | High School Special Education Instructional Support Teacher) | Thornton, CO | 06/20/2025 | $59,297 |
| Alief Independent School District | Special Education Instructional Para-Braille & Tactual Materials @ Special Education Depar | Houston, TX | 06/15/2025 | $34,346 |
| McHenry Community High School District 156 | Long Term Substitute-Special Education Instructor | McHenry, IL | 06/12/2025 | $35,218 |
| Illinois Association of School | Special Education Instructional Teacher (Grades 3Rd-4Th) | Monee, IL | 06/11/2025 | $46,262 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Early Intervention Special Instructor-Remote | WFH | Brookhaven, PA | 05/26/2025 | $41,740 |
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