Special Education Teacher, Middle School Salary in New Mexico (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$74,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#18 of 51
1,090 employed here

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

Special Education Teachers, Middle School in New Mexico take home a median of $74,440 annually — roughly $35.79 an hour — which runs 11% above the national median of $66,810.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $60,070 while the top 10% make $89,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,000 and $77,140 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$60,070$28.88
25th percentile (early career)$62,000$29.81
50th percentile (median)$74,440$35.79
75th percentile (experienced)$77,140$37.09
90th percentile (top earners)$89,760$43.15

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 18th 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 New Mexico

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 New Mexico pay ($74,440) 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 New Mexico?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in New Mexico is $74,440 per year, or about $35.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,070 at the entry level to $89,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 11% more than the national median of $66,810. New Mexico ranks 18th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,440 a year. About 1,090 Special Education Teachers, Middle School are employed in New Mexico. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.