Special Education Teacher, Middle School Salary in Colorado (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Colorado, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Colorado Median
$66,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#22 of 51
2,020 employed here

How much does a Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in Colorado?

A Special Education Teacher, Middle School working in Colorado earns a median salary of $66,130 per year, or about $31.79 per hour. That is 1% below the national median of $66,810 for this occupation.

Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $50,750 while the top 10% make $98,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,870 and $80,530 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in Colorado

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$50,750$24.40
25th percentile (early career)$60,870$29.26
50th percentile (median)$66,130$31.79
75th percentile (experienced)$80,530$38.72
90th percentile (top earners)$98,620$47.41

How Colorado compares

Colorado ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Middle School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$101,530
2Washington$99,520
3Rhode Island$93,970
4New York$93,820
5Connecticut$92,900

Working as a Special Education Teacher, Middle School in Colorado

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 Colorado pay ($66,130) 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 Colorado?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in Colorado is $66,130 per year, or about $31.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,750 at the entry level to $98,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 1% less than the national median of $66,810. Colorado ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $66,130 a year. About 2,020 Special Education Teachers, Middle School are employed in Colorado. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), 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.