How much does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make?
The median pay for a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School in the United States is $74,260 per year — about $35.70 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $49,800, while the most experienced Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in the top 10% earn $109,100.
That is $12,870 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range by percentile
Half of all Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn between $60,180 and $93,730 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,800 | $23.94 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,180 | $28.93 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $74,260 | $35.70 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $93,730 | $45.06 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,100 | $52.45 |
Highest-paying states for Special Education Teacher, Secondary School
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Special Education Teacher, Secondary School pay at $101,120 a year, followed by California ($101,060) and District of Columbia ($99,670). At the other end, Mississippi posts the lowest median at $51,970 — a gap of $49,150 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $101,120 | $48.62 | +36% |
| 2 | California | $101,060 | $48.59 | +36% |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $99,670 | $47.92 | +34% |
| 4 | Maryland | $93,530 | $44.97 | +26% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $92,990 | $44.71 | +25% |
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 164,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $77,260 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make in the United States?
How does Special Education Teacher, Secondary School pay compare to other jobs?
Which state pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School the most?
How long does it take to become a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School?
How many Special Education Teachers, Secondary School work in the United States?
Related salaries
Other education roles with similar pay.