Rhode Island Median
$92,990
per year
Hourly Rate
$44.71
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#5 of 51
830 employed here
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make in Rhode Island?
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Rhode Island take home a median of $92,990 annually — roughly $44.71 an hour — which runs 25% above the national median of $74,260.
Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $46,580 while the top 10% make $99,900 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,930 and $96,930 a year.
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,580 | $22.39 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $68,930 | $33.14 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $92,990 | $44.71 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $96,930 | $46.60 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,900 | $48.03 |
|
How Rhode Island compares
Rhode Island ranks 5th 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 $93,530New 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 Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island pay ($92,990) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in Rhode Island is $92,990 per year, or about $44.71 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,580 at the entry level to $99,900 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 25% more than the national median of $74,260. Rhode Island ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Yes on pay — Rhode Island pays above the national median for this occupation, at $92,990 a year. About 830 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in Rhode Island. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.