Special Education Teacher, Secondary School Salary in Alabama (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alabama Median
$62,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#32 of 51
740 employed here

How much does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make in Alabama?

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Alabama take home a median of $62,210 annually — roughly $29.91 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $74,260.

Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $50,020 while the top 10% make $75,030 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,460 and $71,070 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in Alabama

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$50,020$24.05
25th percentile (early career)$58,460$28.11
50th percentile (median)$62,210$29.91
75th percentile (experienced)$71,070$34.17
90th percentile (top earners)$75,030$36.07

How Alabama compares

Alabama ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Secondary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$101,120
2California$101,060
3District of Columbia$99,670
4Maryland$93,530
5Rhode Island$92,990

Working as a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School in Alabama

Nationally, about 164,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($62,210) 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, Secondary School make in Alabama?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in Alabama is $62,210 per year, or about $29.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,020 at the entry level to $75,030 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 16% less than the national median of $74,260. Alabama ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,210 a year. About 740 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in Alabama. 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 Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Special Education Teacher, Secondary 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.