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What is a secondary special education teacher and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Quoted experts
Patricia Rogan Ph.D.,
Tara Kirton
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a secondary special education teacher. For example, did you know that they make an average of $25.34 an hour? That's $52,709 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 secondary special education teacher?

Patricia Rogan Ph.D.Patricia Rogan Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor, Special Education/Urban Teacher Education, Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis

Education graduates should work to stand out in the crowd during their Student Teaching experiences and make connections with school administrators. After graduation, they should tap all possible personal/professional contacts for job leads, stay in touch with their university faculty, and NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK. Our grads should interview schools as much as schools are interviewing them, so they find the right fit. Education graduates should remember that when they are interviewing and seeking employment, they should be asking questions that are important to them and align with their teaching values. It may make sense to take a short-term appointment (e.g., for maternity leave) in order to get a foot in the door in a district in which the graduate would like to work.
ScoreSecondary Special Education TeacherUS Average
Salary
4.1

Avg. Salary $52,709

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
9.1

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
5.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 3.60%

Black or African American 9.29%

Hispanic or Latino 11.49%

Unknown 3.96%

White 71.29%

Gender

female 71.18%

male 28.82%

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

Secondary special education teacher career paths

Key steps to become a secondary special education teacher

  1. Explore secondary special education teacher education requirements

    Most common secondary special education teacher degrees

    Bachelor's

    66.2 %

    Master's

    23.6 %

    Associate

    6.4 %
  2. Start to develop specific secondary special education teacher skills

    SkillsPercentages
    IEPs15.43%
    K-1212.97%
    Math12.07%
    Autism8.62%
    Public Schools8.01%
  3. Research secondary special education teacher duties and responsibilities

    • Lead the data team with interpreting results, including NWEA and other benchmark assessments.
    • Update IEPs and other documents such as 504 plans, BIPs and FBAs for students.
    • Expand the special education math curriculum to include algebra, geometry and personal finance.
    • Update IEPs and other documents privy to the student's academic social well being.
  4. Prepare your secondary special education teacher resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your secondary special education teacher resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a secondary special education teacher resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable secondary special education teacher resume templates

    Build a professional secondary special education teacher resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your secondary special education teacher resume.
    Secondary Special Education Teacher Resume
    Secondary Special Education Teacher Resume
    Secondary Special Education Teacher Resume
    Secondary Special Education Teacher Resume
    Secondary Special Education Teacher Resume
    Secondary Special Education Teacher Resume
    Secondary Special Education Teacher Resume
    Secondary Special Education Teacher Resume
    Secondary Special Education Teacher Resume
  5. Apply for secondary special education teacher jobs

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

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

How did you land your first secondary special education teacher job

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Average secondary special education teacher salary

The average secondary special education teacher salary in the United States is $52,709 per year or $25 per hour. Secondary special education teacher salaries range between $39,000 and $70,000 per year.

Average secondary special education teacher salary
$52,709 Yearly
$25.34 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do secondary special education teachers rate their job?

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Secondary special education teacher reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

The kids light up my days.

Cons

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


profile
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.

Cons

I can't say, maybe because there is none.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2021
Pros

My students

Cons

Parents, paperwork, lack of resources, anxiety, not being compensated


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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