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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$55,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-25% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#49 of 51
840 employed here

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

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in West Virginia take home a median of $55,390 annually — roughly $26.63 an hour — which runs 25% below the national median of $74,260.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $47,650 while the top 10% make $69,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,720 and $61,400 a year.

Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$47,650$22.91
25th percentile (early career)$50,720$24.38
50th percentile (median)$55,390$26.63
75th percentile (experienced)$61,400$29.52
90th percentile (top earners)$69,270$33.30

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 49th 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 West 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 West Virginia pay ($55,390) 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 West Virginia?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in West Virginia is $55,390 per year, or about $26.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,650 at the entry level to $69,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 25% less than the national median of $74,260. West Virginia ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $55,390 a year. About 840 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are employed in West 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.