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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$99,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$47.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+49% vs US median
US median $66,810
State Rank
#2 of 51
1,550 employed here

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

Special Education Teachers, Middle School in Washington take home a median of $99,520 annually — roughly $47.85 an hour — which runs 49% above the national median of $66,810.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $67,650 while the top 10% make $127,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,570 and $111,320 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$67,650$32.52
25th percentile (early career)$80,570$38.74
50th percentile (median)$99,520$47.85
75th percentile (experienced)$111,320$53.52
90th percentile (top earners)$127,390$61.25

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 2nd 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($99,520) 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 Washington?
The median Special Education Teacher, Middle School salary in Washington is $99,520 per year, or about $47.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $67,650 at the entry level to $127,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School about 49% more than the national median of $66,810. Washington ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Special Education Teachers, Middle School?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $99,520 a year. About 1,550 Special Education Teachers, Middle School are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.