Special Education Teacher Salary

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There are many factors that determine how much you should be earning as a Special Education Teacher. Use Zippia's Salary Calculator to see how your pay matches up.

How Much Does a Special Education Teacher Earn In The United States?

Special Education Teacher Salaries

Updated April 6, 2021

Average Yearly Salary

$47,000

$35,000

$47,000

$63,000

Special education teachers in the United States make an average salary of $47,526 per year or $22.85 per hour. People on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10% to be exact, make roughly $35,000 a year, while the top 10% makes $63,000. As most things go, location can be critical. Alaska, Vermont, California, Maryland, and New York provide the highest special education teacher salaries.

Best Paying Cities

1. Washington, DC

Average Salary: $65,596

Special Education Teacher Jobs: 23

2. Monterey, CA

Average Salary: $61,566

3. Baltimore, MD

Average Salary: $57,048

Special Education Teacher Jobs: 5

4. New York, NY

Average Salary: $56,041

Special Education Teacher Jobs: 26

5. Ashburn, VA

Average Salary: $52,257

6. Covington, KY

Average Salary: $51,151

7. Orlando, FL

Average Salary: $46,638

8. Houston, TX

Average Salary: $45,363

Special Education Teacher Jobs: 5

9. Columbia, SC

Average Salary: $42,800

Special Education Teacher Jobs: 6

10. Savannah, GA

Average Salary: $41,726

11. Topeka, KS

Average Salary: $41,142

Special Education Teacher Jobs: 1

12. Marrero, LA

Average Salary: $39,455

13. Phoenix, AZ

Average Salary: $36,658

Special Education Teacher Jobs: 13

14. Provo, UT

Average Salary: $30,692

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Where Special Education Teachers Earn The Most

The darker areas on the map show where special education teachers earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Average Salary

How Much Do Special Education Teachers Earn In Different Cities?

While a special education teacher can average a salary of $47,526 per year, or $22.85 per hour, there are many opportunities for special education teachers to make more. For example, in Washington, DC you might make $65,596 per year. Other high-paying locations include Monterey, CA, Baltimore, MD and New York, NY. If you're in an entry-level position, your best bet is to move to Washington, DC where the average starting salary is $45,000. The highest paying states for special education teachers include Alaska, Vermont and California. Meanwhile, Arkansas, Mississippi, and South Dakota offer the lowest salaries.

1. Washington, DC

$65,596

Avg. Salary

$26k

$79k

2. Monterey, CA

$61,566

Avg. Salary

$26k

$79k

3. Baltimore, MD

$57,048

Avg. Salary

$26k

$79k

4. New York, NY

$56,041

Avg. Salary

$26k

$79k

5. Ashburn, VA

$52,257

Avg. Salary

$26k

$79k

6. Covington, KY

$51,151

Avg. Salary

$26k

$79k

High Paying Special Education Teacher Jobs

Which Companies Pay Special Education Teachers The Most?

To earn a high income as a special education teacher, working for St. John's Community Services or The Stepping Stones Group might be your best bet, as they are the highest paying companies in this field. In addition, companies like St. Coletta of Greater Washington and May Institute report highly competitive wages for special education teachers.

1. St. John's Community Services

3.5

$84,095

Avg. Salary

$52k

$95k

2. The Stepping Stones Group

4.8

$83,516

Avg. Salary

$52k

$95k

3. St. Coletta of Greater Washington

3.9

$81,772

Avg. Salary

$52k

$95k

4. May Institute

4.0

$81,146

Avg. Salary

$52k

$95k

5. Supplemental Health Care

4.4

$78,567

Avg. Salary

$52k

$95k

6. Spurwink

3.9

$76,333

Avg. Salary

$52k

$95k

The largest raises come from changing jobs.

See what's out there.

How would you rate the starting salaries for graduates in this field, as well as the salary prospects down the line as they advance in their careers?

Patricia Rogan Ph.D.

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

Teacher salaries continue to grow, but they vary from state to state and district to district. According to the NEA, the average starting salary for beginning teachers in 2017-18 was $39,249. The average salary of all teachers in the U.S. was $61,730 in 2018-19, which was a 2.1% increase from the previous year. Despite COVID-19 and its impact on teachers, it is doubtful that teacher salaries will jump significantly in the years ahead (due to state economic challenges) unless teachers strike.Show more