California Median
$101,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.59
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+36% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#2 of 51
12,100 employed here
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make in California?
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in California take home a median of $101,060 annually — roughly $48.59 an hour — which runs 36% above the national median of $74,260.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $63,390 while the top 10% make $131,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $79,740 and $123,840 a year.
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,390 | $30.48 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $79,740 | $38.34 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $101,060 | $48.59 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $123,840 | $59.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,600 | $63.27 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Secondary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in other states
Washington $101,120District of Columbia $99,670Maryland $93,530Rhode Island $92,990New York $89,310Massachusetts $83,890New Jersey $83,770Connecticut $81,710Alaska $80,580Illinois $79,890Vermont $79,360Delaware $78,490Michigan $78,050Oregon $77,400Pennsylvania $77,000New Mexico $76,940Minnesota $76,600Ohio $76,180Georgia $74,150New Hampshire $69,560Virginia $68,400Colorado $67,240Hawaii $65,980Texas $64,830Arizona $64,300Utah $64,210Wisconsin $63,520Nebraska $63,460Wyoming $62,750Montana $62,310Alabama $62,210South Carolina $62,150Maine $61,710Florida $61,510Tennessee $61,360North Dakota $61,210Indiana $61,130Nevada $60,810Iowa $60,780Kentucky $60,730Idaho $60,700Kansas $60,700Oklahoma $59,660Louisiana $59,100Arkansas $57,000North Carolina $56,770Missouri $55,920West Virginia $55,390South Dakota $54,810Mississippi $51,970
Working as a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School in California
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 California pay ($101,060) 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 California?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in California is $101,060 per year, or about $48.59 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,390 at the entry level to $131,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 36% more than the national median of $74,260. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $101,060 a year. About 12,100 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), 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.