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Job outlook for special education coordinators in the United States
Special education coordinator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected special education coordinator job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 20,600 new jobs for special education coordinators are projected over the next decade.
Special education coordinator salaries have increased 6% for special education coordinators in the last 5 years.
There are over 14,623 special education coordinators currently employed in the United States.
There are 65,507 active special education coordinator job openings in the US.
The average special education coordinator salary is $70,637.
Are special education coordinator jobs in demand?
Special education coordinator job and salary trends over time
Special education coordinator jobs over time
Special education coordinator job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14,623 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 14,944 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 15,152 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 14,476 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 14,455 | 0.00% |
Average special education coordinator salary over time
Special education coordinator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $70,637 | $33.96 | +0.3% |
| 2025 | $70,451 | $33.87 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $69,204 | $33.27 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $68,283 | $32.83 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $66,465 | $31.95 | +2.2% |
Special education coordinator jobs by state
Most common states for special education coordinators
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 191 | 31% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 153 | 26% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 235 | 24% |
| 4 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 232 | 22% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 154 | 20% |
| 6 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 256 | 19% |
| 7 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 134 | 19% |
| 8 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 369 | 18% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 137 | 16% |
| 10 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 266 | 15% |
| 11 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 569 | 14% |
| 12 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 237 | 14% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 183 | 14% |
| 14 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 245 | 13% |
| 15 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 571 | 12% |
| 16 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 553 | 12% |
| 17 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 561 | 9% |
| 18 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 323 | 9% |
| 19 | Alaska | 739,795 | 64 | 9% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,011 | 8% |
Most common cities for special education coordinators
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $91,102 |
| 2 | New York | 1 | 0% | $90,822 |
Special Education Coordinator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of special education coordinator experts
University of Maine
University of South Florida
Texas Tech University
California State University - Fullerton
Alverno College
Florida Atlantic University
American Samoa Community College
Eastern Mennonite University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
California State University - Long Beach
University of Alaska Anchorage
Bucknell University
University of Indianapolis
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Jennifer Lesh Ph.D.: Exercise discernment in your job selection: As a special education teacher, the range of positions available to you will be diverse and plentiful. Remember, a job interview is a two-way street. While school administrators will inquire about your qualifications, it’s equally important for you to evaluate the support and resources the school offers. Inquire about the school's induction programs for new teachers, mentorship opportunities, and the student-teacher ratio. Request a tour of the classrooms. It’s crucial that you feel a sense of belonging and alignment with both the environment and the team. The right fit for your initial teaching role can greatly enhance your capacity for resilience in this rewarding career. Never Stop Learning: Treat every day as an opportunity to learn something new. The most successful special educators are those who continue to grow their knowledge base and skill set long after formal education ends. Build Genuine Connections: Networking is more about building real relationships than accumulating contacts. Seek out educators as mentors whose work or path you admire and do are they are generally positive about teaching. Join a special education professional organization such as Council for Exceptional Children and get involved in the association at the local level. Maintain Work-Life Balance: It's crucial to find a balance that allows you to be productive at school while also taking care of your personal well-being. Burnout is real in the special education profession, and preventing it starts with recognizing the importance of your own health and happiness. Cultivate Your Personal Brand: Think about how you want to be perceived professionally as a special educator and make efforts to build your personal brand around those qualities. Whether it's through social media, blogging, or professional engagements, make sure your personal brand reflects your professional goals and values. Starting your career is the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovery, growth, and fulfillment. By staying curious, resilient, and connected, you'll set the stage for a rewarding and successful career.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Lesh Ph.D.: Technological Proficiency: With the ongoing integration of technology in educational settings, teachers will need to be adept at using assistive technology to support students with special needs. This includes both hardware and software that facilitate communication, learning, and accessibility. Definitely include the use of generative AI in your teacher preparation practices for positive time saver! Data Literacy: Being able to collect, interpret, and apply data to tailor educational approaches to individual student needs will be crucial. Data-driven decision-making can help in creating effective IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and monitoring student progress. Cultural Competency: As classrooms continue to diversify, understanding and respecting cultural differences and incorporating culturally responsive teaching methods will be essential. Collaboration and Teamwork: Special education often involves working closely with general education teachers, parents, and other professionals such as speech therapists or psychologists. Skills in collaboration and co-teaching will be vital. Emotional Intelligence: The ability to recognize and respond to students' emotional needs, as well as manage your own emotions, will be increasingly important in creating a supportive learning environment. Flexibility and Adaptability: With the fast pace of change in educational policies, practices, and student populations, special education teachers will need to be able to adapt their teaching styles and strategies quickly and effectively. Advocacy Skills: Being able to advocate for the rights and needs of students with disabilities will remain an important skill, including navigating the legal aspects of special education and working with families to ensure that students receive the services and support which they are entitled. Behavior Management: Developing strategies to effectively support positive behavior and address challenging behavior will continue to be a critical skill in the special education field. These skills will support a holistic and adaptive approach to special education, ensuring that educators are well-equipped to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities in the field.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Lesh Ph.D.: Pursue Advanced Certifications: Beyond the required education, obtaining specialized certifications can make you more valuable to employers. Certifications in high-demand areas of special education can lead to higher pay, such as obtaining a reading dyslexia certification. Gain Experience in High-Need Areas: Some regions or schools may offer higher salaries or signing bonuses to attract teachers to high-need areas or in subjects with a shortage of qualified professionals. Develop a Niche Expertise: Specializing in a particular area of special education, such as autism spectrum disorders or assistive technology, can set you apart and potentially command a higher salary. Improve Your Educational Credentials: Consider pursuing a master's degree or doctorate. Higher educational attainment is often correlated with increased salary scales in educational institutions. Look for Leadership Opportunities: Positions with additional responsibilities, such as department head or program coordinator, often come with higher pay. Be proactive in seeking out these roles. Be Willing to Relocate: Sometimes the best opportunities for salary growth are in different cities or states. Being open to relocation can widen your options considerably. Continuously Enhance Your Skillset: Engage in professional development to stay current with best practices and emerging trends in special education. Schools may pay more for teachers who are at the cutting edge of their field. Document Your Successes: Keep a comprehensive record of your achievements and the progress of your students. Demonstrable success can be a powerful lever in salary discussions. Promote your accomplishments through social media and branding.
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Jonathan Higgins Ed.D.: Get involved in your school. Many club sponsor, team lead, coaching positions come with a supplement. Other teachers will work after-school tutoring programs, tutor privately, or work summer school. Additionally, many districts pay more for advanced degrees. The amount may only be $2,500 or so per year, but if you spend $10,000 on a Masters degree, it is likely you will pay it back in four or five years and then be making more money. Unfortunately, the only other way to maximize salary is to move into a more administrative role. It is sad when we see good teachers leaving the classroom to pursue administration solely for economic reasons. In addition, it is sad for administration when we see not so great people also move into those roles because they want to be paid more as well.
Dr. Pamela Brillante
ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Dr. Pamela Brillante: Attaining additional certifications and credentials while in your first few years of teaching will grow your salary quickly.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Pamela Brillante: Understanding that disability is a natural part of the human experience, and that we all fall on some part of the continuum or spectrum of learning.
Being able to self-reflect on our own ableist views and change our mindset to believe that children are more alike than different.
Understanding a medical diagnosis doesn’t drive educational practices.
The need for initiative, persistence, creativity and problem solving in both ourselves and our students.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Pamela Brillante: View the profession as a puzzle you need to take time to solve. Never give up on a child. Given time and “outside of the box thinking” you will find what works. Understanding how someone learns is not black or white / right or wrong. We all do learn differently and it is our job as special educators to find that path for that specific child.
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.
Professor, Literacy, Language and CultureUniversity of Maine
Education
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.: As these new graduates begin to feel included in the culture of the school, as they become more comfortable with the curriculum, as they gain a better understanding of their learners' strengths and weaknesses, as they develop a management plan that works for them, and as they get better at their pacing and time management, they will transition into a master teacher and an excellent professional in the field of education.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.: Hi William. Just following up. Would you, or can you recommend a professor from University of Maine, to provide answers for our expert panel on starting a career with a degree in Education? We need someone who can give insights into what it's like entering the workforce this year.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.: Future graduating education majors can expect to immediately enter the 'survival phase of teaching.' Up to this point, they have had university faculty, university mentors, collaborating teacher mentors, and their peer candidates all supporting their development into excellent professionals in the field of education. However, upon the first minute of the first day of teaching, they will enter the survival phase and, in many cases, they will fight for personal and professional existence.
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Sarah Lauer: Ask about how the school invests in its new teachers. What is their teacher induction support like? Does the educational vision of the school administration line up with your own educational vision and values? Pick a school that is a good fit for YOU.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Valerie Paton Ph.D.: Education is always a great profession to pursue because we have a 'learning society'. Individuals who know how to teach diverse learners are invaluable in all sectors of our society. As more corporations integrate learning goals as essential components to achieve their strategic goals, more opportunities are available for those who are expert educators, trainers, and facilitators. So education programs are transferrable across many types of leadership roles and are generating higher levels of compensation.
Tiffany Row Ph.D.
Program Coordinator, MMSN and ESNCalifornia State University - Fullerton
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Tiffany Row Ph.D.: It's a great idea to begin working as a special education instructional aide to gain experience with students and in navigating school dynamics. These are usually part-time jobs, with hours available in the mornings or afternoons. You may gain experience in multiple settings, especially if you are hired as a substitute instructional aide, which allows you to learn about working with different grade levels and varying levels of student support needs. This is helpful as you decide whether you want to become a teacher for students with mild to moderate support needs, extensive support needs, or early childhood, and whether you might prefer working with younger or older students.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tiffany Row Ph.D.: There has been an increasing focus on social emotional learning in schools, and these skills are just as important for teachers to grow within themselves so they can best support and guide students in learning to regulate their emotions and navigate social relationships. And of course it's always crucial for teachers to have strong skills in literacy instruction.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Tiffany Row Ph.D.: Earning a Master's degree after your credential puts you significantly higher on the pay scale and increases your earning power exponentially as you continue in the field.
Thor Stolen PhD
Associate Professor & program director of Special EducationAlverno College
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Thor Stolen PhD: Know that being a special education is difficult and can be stressful, but it can be extremely rewarding. If you are able to make a connection and reach one student, it is worth it. Take pride in small achievements and smiles you get from your students. Growth and change can be slow but with persistence, you can make a difference. Make sure to take time to enjoy your students, classroom, co-workers and school. Use your creativity/passions to create meaningful learning experiences that give access to education to non-traditional students. Take teaching as an opportunity to make meaningful connections to people and make huge contributions to students' educational experiences.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thor Stolen PhD: Developing relationships with students, co-teachers, community members to create more engaging and accessible learning experiences. Utilizing, developing, and maximizing your own superpowers to create unique, accessible, and memorable learning experiences. Utilizing and staying current with technology and figuring out how to integrate it into UDL lessons to broaden access to curriculum. Collaborating with fellow teachers to design meaningful units and accommodations for your students.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Thor Stolen PhD: Special education teachers are in high demand; leverage this power to negotiate higher wages/benefits or in selecting a school/placement that you want to be at. With teacher shortages in general, now is a great time to join a Teachers Union to support your collective cause.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Torica Exume Ph.D.: The education sector undergoes continuous change, requiring graduates to remain adaptable and responsive to evolving trends and innovations. Skills that may gain importance in the field include proficiency in employing educational technology tools for teaching, learning, and assessment; using student data to inform instructional strategies; and adapting to emerging technologies and platforms.
Shirley De La Rosa
Program Director, Teacher Education DepartmentAmerican Samoa Community College
Education
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Shirley De La Rosa: Entering the education field now is good due to improved pay scale for teachers with Bachelor, Master, and PhD Degrees, higher pay for certification, and many openings for teachers.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Paul Yoder: The ability to foster healthy classroom communities has always been important. The fact that students of all ages experienced COVID during formative years makes this enduring adage that much more essential. Educators need to be able to facilitate a class meeting and employ a trauma-sensitive lens. These skills can be used proactively as well as when conflict occurs.
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Dr. Natasha Griffin: It is a very rewarding field, you get to help and support so many children. It is also at times is a stressful field. The special education teachers are in charge of creating and implementing IEPs, as well as having meetings at least annually making sure that IEP’s are up-to-date. An IEP is a legally binding document, so this could be stressful for some special education teachers, especially novice teachers who first start in the field.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Natasha Griffin: Special Education is a good profession to enter now because there is a great need for it regardless of where you live. There is a global need for teachers who work with students with disabilities. Due to more assessment options, trained Special Educators can implement research-based strategies effectively, which leads to higher gains in closing achievement gaps. School districts near and far have started to offer attractive incentives to recruit Special Educators. Special Education is a field that is needed from birth to adulthood to aide in developing productive citizens.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Natasha Griffin: A special education teacher wears many hats. Their main focus is on the students with individualized education plans (IEPs) to make sure that all of their needs are met such as providing accommodations and making sure that each student has a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). With the inclusive nature of special education, the special education teacher works directly with general education /content teachers, as well as collaborating with parents, administration, related service providers such as speech and language pathologists, and other stakeholders. Special education teachers provide co-teaching within the general education setting so that all students have an opportunity to learn together.
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD
Associate Professor of English, Humanities and Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; co-chair of Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Assessment CoordinatorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Valerie Pilmaier PhD: I think it is important to recognize that teachers are in high demand right now and that means that you are able to make choices that best suit you. Remember that the highest paying position may not be the one that makes you the happiest. Think about where you would like to live, how comfortable you feel in the community, what role you would be playing in the school community as well as the surrounding community and determine if that is enough/too much for you, and, most importantly, listen to your instincts if it feels like a good fit. Teaching is such an emotionally demanding job that you need to love where you are working, and you need to have a good support system. Take a look at the turnover at the school. Go and take a look at the minutes from school board meetings and PTA meetings, which will tell you what is most important to the school and the community in relation to matters of education. The second thing that I would suggest is to continually strive to gain more education, above and beyond the continuing education that you are required to take. Take advantage of all of the professional development that you can and seek out opportunities that will strengthen your teaching portfolio.
Meg Gardner Ph.D.
Senior Lecturer and Director of Teacher PreparationWhat Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Meg Gardner Ph.D.: Teaching is a human endeavor and each year is very different with unanticipated celebrations and challenges. Criticality is needed to navigate educational systems that historically promoted inequality. Teachers should call into question practices, such as tracking, that disenfranchise or silence groups of students. Teachers act as advocates who have the ability to promote new inclusive educational possibilities. Adaptability to new contexts and meeting students where they are is a key competency of teachers. Digital technology has great potential to support a wider array of learners. Aptitude with learning management systems, like Google Classroom, is a must. Adaptive software, like text to speech apps, have the ability to support differentiated instruction. Building engagement through computer-based programs, such as interactive virtual field trips and lab experiences, can enhance more traditional formats. Teachers spend more time collaborating with other school staff than ever before. Often a team of adults, ranging from paraprofessionals to school psychologists, will work together to support the individual needs of students. Understanding how to interact professionally with other individuals to work toward a common goal is a learned skill that can be cultivated.
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Dr. Melissa Tapp PhD: First, I like to tell future special education teachers that teaching is a tough job, but, they are ready for it! Beginning teachers need to use the knowledge they've learned in their program and apply it in their future classrooms. The best advice I can give is to prepare, prepare, prepare! Be intentional about all aspects of the day, from classroom management to academic instruction and try to be proactive and set up systems for students to be successful.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Melissa Tapp PhD: Teachers must be prepared in the area of classroom management and approach these through an understanding of behavior. Several of my courses have an emphasis on support behavioral needs. If teachers enter the field without this background knowledge, they'll find themselves reacting instead of using a proactive approach. This leads to less time for instruction and as a result has an impact on student outcomes across all domains.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Melissa Tapp PhD: As a beginning teacher, individuals can maximize their salary potential by seeking opportunities for professional growth. There are often paid experiences available including participating in research studies, attending paid workshops, and working as a tutor or teaching in a summer school program. Beginning teachers can seek out the opportunities by asking colleagues in their building and across their district and also by reaching out to local university professors.
Lisa Isbell Ed.D.
Program Coordinator, Multiple Subject Credential CoordinatorCalifornia State University - Long Beach
Education
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Lisa Isbell Ed.D.: Maximizing your salary potential in the field of education involves a combination of strategic planning, continuous learning, and flexibility. Here are some considerations that impact salary: Education and Credentials: Start by earning advanced degrees or specialized certifications, as many school districts offer salary increments for additional qualifications. A master's degree or specific endorsements (like special education, STEM, or ESL) can increase your earning potential. Location: Research the geographic regions with higher salaries and lower costs of living. Urban districts and certain states tend to offer higher starting salaries, but cost of living and other benefits must be considered. High-Demand Specializations: Certain teaching fields are in higher demand, such as special education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), or bilingual education. Specializing in these areas can lead to more job opportunities and higher salaries. Gain Experience and Leadership Roles: Look for opportunities to take on leadership roles, such as becoming a department head, lead teacher, or mentor. These positions often come with additional stipends or salary bumps. Extracurricular Activities: Schools often need coordinators for extracurricular activities like coaching sports, directing drama productions, or overseeing clubs. These roles typically offer additional stipends. Continuous Professional Development: Stay updated with educational trends and new teaching methodologies. Professional development can make you more valuable to your school district and open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Networking: Build a strong professional network by attending educational conferences and engaging with online educator communities. Networking can lead to job opportunities with better salary prospects.
Krista James Ph.D.
Program Lead & Assistant Professor of Special EducationUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Krista James Ph.D.: Shop around to various school districts. Look at their salary scale but also at any signing bonuses they might offer.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Krista James Ph.D.: I would recommend that they find a mentor work with to assist with questions and challenges that they may encounter in their early years in the classroom and also to gain experience in a variety of different settings to see where their preferences lie. Special Education is a large field with many different specializations available. Once you determine where your interests lie then you can seek further education to gain expertise in a particular area.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Krista James Ph.D.: We have always known that inclusion is best practice and many districts have begun moving in that direction so skills in Universal Design for Learning are necessary for teaching in inclusive settings.
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Dr. Kimberly Coy: The first part is to get your Master's degree, and then understand the pay scale in the district you work in as well as the districts around you. The second part is to make sure to join the teachers union and understand the bargaining process.
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kimberly Coy: In the next 3-5 years, the skills that will be most important are the ability to be reflective of your practice. Teaching is an ever-evolving skill set for each person. Make sure you can look at your teaching and learn from it by being reflective and keeping your sense of wonder. Another skill will be the ability to understand that you are going to prepare students for jobs and challenges that have not been invented yet. Teach them the important skills of cultivating curiosity and adapting to change.
What will help Special Education Coordinators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kimberly Coy: A career as a special education teacher is interesting and rewarding. Also known in California as an Education Specialist, the job involves being both creative and persistent. My advice at the beginning of a career is to find the teachers you want to be most like and watch them, learn from them. They might be other special education teachers, or they might be other types of teachers. Find the positive innovators and stick with them.
What general advice would you give to a Special Education Coordinator?
Janet VanLone Ph.D.: Advice that I often give to my graduates as they enter their first year of teaching: We currently have a teacher shortage in this country. As a well-prepared and qualified teacher, you can take time during the job search and interview process to find a school that is a good fit for you. Ask a lot of questions. What kind of support do new teachers get? What is the teacher retention rate in the district? What is the leadership philosophy of the administrative team? Prioritize finding a position in a district where you will be valued and have the potential to continue learning and growing as a new teacher. Your students' learning conditions are your working conditions. At the start of the year, taking time to create a classroom environment that supports your students' academic and social/emotional growth has endless benefits. The first few weeks of the school year are so important. Determine your classroom expectations and routines. Explicitly teach and practice those expectations. Provide lots of positive reinforcement when your students are doing the right thing. Classroom management lays the foundation for a productive and positive year for you and your students. Teaching is not a competitive sport. We do our best when we are collaborative. Work to build relationships with colleagues, families, and the school community. Remember that you are not alone!
What Special Education Coordinator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Tracy Johnson: Be as marketable as possible. The more grades, subject areas, etc. that you are licensed to teach, the better off you are. At a time when teachers are in high demand, you can afford to apply to many different places and choose the one that is right for you, not only financially but also philosophically as well.