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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$60,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-18% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#41 of 51
2,680 employed here

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

A Special Education Teacher, Secondary School working in Kentucky earns a median salary of $60,730 per year, or about $29.20 per hour. That is 18% below the national median of $74,260 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $46,610 while the top 10% make $79,870 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,070 and $66,260 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$46,610$22.41
25th percentile (early career)$49,070$23.59
50th percentile (median)$60,730$29.20
75th percentile (experienced)$66,260$31.86
90th percentile (top earners)$79,870$38.40

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 41st 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($60,730) 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 Kentucky?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in Kentucky is $60,730 per year, or about $29.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,610 at the entry level to $79,870 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 18% less than the national median of $74,260. Kentucky ranks 41st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,730 a year. About 2,680 Special Education Teachers, Secondary 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, 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.