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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Virginia Median
$68,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#22 of 51
6,380 employed here

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

A Special Education Teacher, Secondary School working in Virginia earns a median salary of $68,400 per year, or about $32.88 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $74,260 for this occupation.

Within Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $50,510 while the top 10% make $109,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,900 and $85,000 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$50,510$24.28
25th percentile (early career)$59,900$28.80
50th percentile (median)$68,400$32.88
75th percentile (experienced)$85,000$40.87
90th percentile (top earners)$109,100$52.45

How Virginia compares

Virginia ranks 22nd 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 Virginia

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 Virginia pay ($68,400) 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 Virginia?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in Virginia is $68,400 per year, or about $32.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,510 at the entry level to $109,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Virginia pay compare to the national average?
Virginia pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 8% less than the national median of $74,260. Virginia ranks 22nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Virginia a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $68,400 a year. About 6,380 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in Virginia. 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 Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in Virginia include Anesthesiologist ($488,310), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($478,710), Cardiologist ($461,450), 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.