Illinois Median
$77,960
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#10 of 51
14,040 employed here
How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in Illinois?
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Illinois take home a median of $77,960 annually — roughly $37.48 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $65,120.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $49,790 while the top 10% make $104,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,700 and $97,370 a year.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,790 | $23.94 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,700 | $29.18 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,960 | $37.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $97,370 | $46.81 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,490 | $50.24 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other states
District of Columbia $97,910California $97,170Washington $95,040Massachusetts $91,350Rhode Island $84,300Connecticut $82,950New York $81,260Alaska $80,230Maryland $78,850Oregon $77,700New Jersey $76,660New Mexico $76,420Michigan $74,600Colorado $74,290Vermont $74,200Ohio $73,970Georgia $72,880Pennsylvania $72,680Virginia $67,740Minnesota $67,620Delaware $65,990New Hampshire $65,160Nevada $65,110Alabama $64,520Idaho $63,610Tennessee $62,560Nebraska $62,420South Carolina $62,360Texas $62,330Maine $61,880Wisconsin $61,520Utah $61,290Hawaii $60,940Wyoming $60,930Iowa $60,440Kentucky $60,060Kansas $59,970Florida $58,850Louisiana $58,800Indiana $58,760North Carolina $58,260North Dakota $57,950Montana $57,630Missouri $57,260Arizona $56,030Arkansas $54,290South Dakota $51,090Oklahoma $50,630Mississippi $50,570West Virginia $50,380
Working as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Illinois
Nationally, about 261,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($77,960) 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 do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in Illinois?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Illinois is $77,960 per year, or about $37.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,790 at the entry level to $104,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 20% more than the national median of $65,120. Illinois ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $77,960 a year. About 14,040 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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.