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 level | Annual salary | Hourly 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:
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in other states
Washington $101,120California $101,060District 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 $60,780Idaho $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 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.