Special Education Teacher, Secondary School Salary in New Mexico (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$76,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#17 of 51
2,150 employed here

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

A Special Education Teacher, Secondary School working in New Mexico earns a median salary of $76,940 per year, or about $36.99 per hour. That is 4% above the national median of $74,260 for this occupation.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $60,190 while the top 10% make $90,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,100 and $81,480 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$60,190$28.94
25th percentile (early career)$64,100$30.82
50th percentile (median)$76,940$36.99
75th percentile (experienced)$81,480$39.17
90th percentile (top earners)$90,580$43.55

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 17th 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 New Mexico

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 New Mexico pay ($76,940) 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 New Mexico?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in New Mexico is $76,940 per year, or about $36.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $60,190 at the entry level to $90,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 4% more than the national median of $74,260. New Mexico ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,940 a year. About 2,150 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in New Mexico. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.