Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for special education teachers, secondary school in the U.S. is $74,260, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, May 2025 estimates.
- Median annual wage
- $74,260
- Mean annual wage
- $77,260
- Median hourly wage
- —
- Employment
- 163,930
163,930 employed
Wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,800 | — |
| 25th percentile | $60,180 | — |
| Median (50th) | $74,260 | — |
| 75th percentile | $93,730 | — |
| 90th percentile | $109,100 | — |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, secondary school
| State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,120 | 2,510 |
| California | $101,060 | 12,100 |
| District of Columbia | $99,670 | 440 |
| Maryland | $93,530 | 1,560 |
| Rhode Island | $92,990 | 830 |
| New York | $89,310 | 15,250 |
| Massachusetts | $83,890 | 5,470 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 | 7,520 |
| Connecticut | $81,710 | 1,920 |
| Alaska | $80,580 | 590 |
Lowest-paying states
- Mississippi: $51,970 median annual wage
- South Dakota: $54,810 median annual wage
- West Virginia: $55,390 median annual wage
- Missouri: $55,920 median annual wage
- North Carolina: $56,770 median annual wage
About this occupation
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Typical tasks
- Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Administer standardized ability and achievement tests, and interpret results to determine students' strengths and needs.
- Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- Use computers, audio-visual aids, and other equipment and materials to supplement presentations.
- Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation.
- Select, store, order, issue, and inventory classroom equipment, materials, and supplies.
Education of the current workforce — typical entry: Bachelor's degree
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Less than high school diploma | 0.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.4% |
| Some college, no degree | 3.7% |
| Associate's degree | 2.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 33.6% |
| Master's degree | 51.5% |
| Doctoral or professional degree | 4.2% |
Occupation profile data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Related occupations
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36,780
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$63,970
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$72,040
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$64,370
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$41,670
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$38,140
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$46,800
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$65,120
About this data
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — data period May 2025, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- CareerOneStop Occupation Profiles — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 14, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.