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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$101,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+36% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#1 of 51
2,510 employed here

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

A Special Education Teacher, Secondary School working in Washington earns a median salary of $101,120 per year, or about $48.62 per hour. That is 36% above the national median of $74,260 for this occupation.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $67,880 while the top 10% make $128,090 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,620 and $112,750 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$67,880$32.63
25th percentile (early career)$80,620$38.76
50th percentile (median)$101,120$48.62
75th percentile (experienced)$112,750$54.21
90th percentile (top earners)$128,090$61.58

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 1st 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 Washington

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 Washington pay ($101,120) 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 Washington?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in Washington is $101,120 per year, or about $48.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $67,880 at the entry level to $128,090 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 36% more than the national median of $74,260. Washington ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $101,120 a year. About 2,510 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.