Best cities for a special ed teacher
The best cities for special ed teachers are Detroit, MI, Washington, DC, and Pittsburgh, PA, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for special ed teachers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for special ed teachers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a special ed teacher or considering a move, this list of the best cities for special ed teachers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for special ed teachers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a special ed teacher. While the absolute best city for special ed teachers is Detroit, MI, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for special ed teachers in 2024.
If you're looking for a special ed teacher job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for special ed teachers in 2026
1. Detroit, MI
Total special ed teacher jobs: 8 Average annual salary: $62,487 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 7.86 2. Washington, DC
Total special ed teacher jobs: 12 Average annual salary: $71,964 Lowest 10 percent warn: $45,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $113,000 Location quotient: 4.32 3. Pittsburgh, PA
Total special ed teacher jobs: 3 Average annual salary: $61,101 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 2.06 4. New York, NY
Total special ed teacher jobs: 18 Average annual salary: $63,149 Lowest 10 percent warn: $41,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $96,000 Location quotient: 1.14 5. Cleveland, OH
Total special ed teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $51,339 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Toledo, OH
Total special ed teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,595 Lowest 10 percent warn: $32,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $79,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Philadelphia, PA
Total special ed teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $61,676 Lowest 10 percent warn: $39,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $95,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Sacramento, CA
Total special ed teacher jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $62,586 Lowest 10 percent warn: $36,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $108,000 Location quotient: 3.98 9. Anchorage, AK
Total special ed teacher jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $65,515 Lowest 10 percent warn: $48,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $89,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Buffalo, NY
Total special ed teacher jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $60,954 Lowest 10 percent warn: $40,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $92,000 Location quotient: 2.03
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Best cities for special ed teachers
- Detroit, MI
- Washington, DC
- Pittsburgh, PA
- New York, NY
- Cleveland, OH
- Toledo, OH
- Philadelphia, PA
- Sacramento, CA
- Anchorage, AK
- Buffalo, NY
- (8 special ed teacher jobs)
- (12 special ed teacher jobs)
- (3 special ed teacher jobs)
- (18 special ed teacher jobs)
- (0 special ed teacher jobs)
- (0 special ed teacher jobs)
- (0 special ed teacher jobs)
- (4 special ed teacher jobs)
- (0 special ed teacher jobs)
- (1 special ed teacher jobs)
Detailed list of the best cities for a special ed teacher
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit, MI | $62,487 | $40,000 | 672,795 | 8 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | $71,964 | $45,000 | 681,170 | 12 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $61,101 | $39,000 | 303,625 | 3 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $63,149 | $41,000 | 8,537,673 | 18 |
| 5 | Cleveland, OH | $51,339 | $32,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 6 | Toledo, OH | $50,595 | $32,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $61,676 | $39,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $62,586 | $36,000 | 495,234 | 4 |
| 9 | Anchorage, AK | $65,515 | $48,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 10 | Buffalo, NY | $60,954 | $40,000 | 256,902 | 1 |
| 11 | Minneapolis, MN | $53,363 | $34,000 | 413,651 | 4 |
| 12 | Hempstead, NY | $63,097 | $41,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 13 | Islip, NY | $62,884 | $41,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 14 | Oyster Bay, NY | $62,849 | $41,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 15 | Brookhaven, NY | $62,647 | $41,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 16 | Saint Paul, MN | $53,390 | $34,000 | 302,398 | 1 |
| 17 | Boston, MA | $59,464 | $40,000 | 673,184 | 1 |
| 18 | Baltimore, MD | $58,957 | $37,000 | 614,664 | 12 |
| 19 | Portland, OR | $57,775 | $33,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 20 | Fresno, CA | $59,518 | $35,000 | 522,053 | 2 |
| 21 | Columbus, OH | $49,455 | $31,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 22 | Seattle, WA | $58,622 | $34,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 23 | Chicago, IL | $52,598 | $33,000 | 2,704,958 | 6 |
| 24 | Stockton, CA | $61,948 | $36,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 25 | San Francisco, CA | $61,803 | $36,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 26 | Oakland, CA | $61,778 | $36,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 27 | Reno, NV | $50,499 | $29,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 28 | Milwaukee, WI | $43,191 | $27,000 | 595,047 | 1 |
| 29 | Lexington, KY | $42,667 | $27,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 30 | Fremont, CA | $61,404 | $35,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 31 | Cincinnati, OH | $46,398 | $29,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 32 | Jersey City, NJ | $55,991 | $36,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 33 | San Jose, CA | $61,033 | $35,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 34 | Newark, NJ | $55,990 | $36,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 35 | Las Vegas, NV | $44,547 | $27,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 36 | North Las Vegas, NV | $44,505 | $27,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 37 | Durham, NC | $44,310 | $28,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 38 | Madison, WI | $42,867 | $27,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 39 | Virginia Beach, VA | $44,524 | $27,000 | 452,602 | 5 |
| 40 | Raleigh, NC | $44,140 | $28,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 41 | Louisville, KY | $41,710 | $26,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 42 | Greensboro, NC | $43,407 | $27,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 43 | Henderson, NV | $43,718 | $27,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 44 | Fort Wayne, IN | $40,527 | $25,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 45 | Winston-Salem, NC | $42,869 | $27,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 46 | Nashville, TN | $38,084 | $25,000 | 660,388 | - |
| 47 | Omaha, NE | $41,508 | $26,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 48 | Lincoln, NE | $40,030 | $25,000 | 280,364 | - |
| 49 | Bakersfield, CA | $54,743 | $33,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 50 | Charlotte, NC | $40,122 | $26,000 | 842,051 | - |
Highest paying cities for special ed teachers
| Rank | City | Avg. special ed teacher salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $71,964 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $63,149 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $62,716 |
| 4 | Detroit, MI | $62,487 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh, PA | $61,101 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $59,464 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $58,957 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $53,363 |
| 9 | Chicago, IL | $52,598 |
| 10 | Mentor, OH | $51,362 |
| 11 | Bismarck, ND | $50,771 |
| 12 | Virginia Beach, VA | $44,524 |
| 13 | Denver, CO | $44,282 |
| 14 | Nashua, NH | $44,193 |
| 15 | Beloit, WI | $42,612 |
| 16 | Aberdeen, SD | $42,219 |
| 17 | Bellevue, NE | $41,320 |
| 18 | Columbia, SC | $40,021 |
| 19 | Atlanta, GA | $39,610 |
| 20 | Burleson, TX | $38,521 |
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Updated January 8, 2025