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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$60,200
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#38 of 51
1,530 employed here

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

A Special Education Teacher, Middle School working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $60,200 per year, or about $28.94 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $66,810 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $44,070 while the top 10% make $75,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,490 and $63,580 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,070$21.19
25th percentile (early career)$48,490$23.31
50th percentile (median)$60,200$28.94
75th percentile (experienced)$63,580$30.57
90th percentile (top earners)$75,970$36.52

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 38th 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($60,200) 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 Kentucky?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in Kentucky is $60,200 per year, or about $28.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,070 at the entry level to $75,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 10% less than the national median of $66,810. Kentucky ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,200 a year. About 1,530 Special Education Teachers, Middle School are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.