Illinois Median
$74,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#16 of 51
4,460 employed here
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Middle School make in Illinois?
A Special Education Teacher, Middle School working in Illinois earns a median salary of $74,730 per year, or about $35.93 per hour. That is 12% above the national median of $66,810 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $49,660 while the top 10% make $102,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,600 and $86,700 a year.
Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,660 | $23.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,600 | $29.13 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,730 | $35.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $86,700 | $41.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,200 | $49.13 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 16th 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
California $101,530Washington $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 $76,040Ohio $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($74,730) 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 Illinois?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in Illinois is $74,730 per year, or about $35.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,660 at the entry level to $102,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 12% more than the national median of $66,810. Illinois ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,730 a year. About 4,460 Special Education Teachers, Middle School are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.