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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$77,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#16 of 51
11,040 employed here

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

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Pennsylvania take home a median of $77,000 annually — roughly $37.02 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $74,260.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $51,110 while the top 10% make $101,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,210 and $90,160 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$51,110$24.57
25th percentile (early career)$61,210$29.43
50th percentile (median)$77,000$37.02
75th percentile (experienced)$90,160$43.35
90th percentile (top earners)$101,880$48.98

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 16th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($77,000) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in Pennsylvania is $77,000 per year, or about $37.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,110 at the entry level to $101,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 4% more than the national median of $74,260. Pennsylvania ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Yes on pay — Pennsylvania pays above the national median for this occupation, at $77,000 a year. About 11,040 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in Pennsylvania. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.