California Median
$101,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+52% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#1 of 51
4,860 employed here
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in California?
Special Education Teachers, Middle School in California take home a median of $101,530 annually — roughly $48.81 an hour — which runs 52% above the national median of $66,810.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $68,110 while the top 10% make $127,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,550 and $120,550 a year.
Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,110 | $32.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,550 | $38.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $101,530 | $48.81 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $120,550 | $57.96 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,720 | $61.40 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Middle School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in other states
Washington $99,520Rhode Island $93,970New York $93,820Connecticut $92,900Massachusetts $84,550Alaska $81,000District of Columbia $79,170New Jersey $79,110Utah $78,920Oregon $78,360Delaware $77,420Pennsylvania $77,040Maryland $76,410Michigan $76,040Illinois $74,730Ohio $74,590New Mexico $74,440Vermont $73,110Georgia $70,550New Hampshire $66,760Colorado $66,130Wisconsin $65,840Montana $63,960Virginia $63,820Minnesota $63,630Iowa $63,590Nebraska $63,460Maine $63,440Texas $63,360Nevada $63,280Alabama $62,850Wyoming $62,770South Carolina $62,310Arizona $62,130Hawaii $61,750Florida $60,440Kentucky $60,200Idaho $60,170Tennessee $60,000Kansas $59,780Louisiana $59,420North Carolina $59,360Indiana $58,900North Dakota $57,680Arkansas $56,830West Virginia $56,440South Dakota $51,360Mississippi $50,750Oklahoma $50,450Missouri $50,370
Working as a Special Education Teacher, Middle School in California
Nationally, about 95,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Middle School in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($101,530) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in California?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in California is $101,530 per year, or about $48.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $68,110 at the entry level to $127,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 52% more than the national median of $66,810. California ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $101,530 a year. About 4,860 Special Education Teachers, Middle School are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.