Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in South Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in South Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$62,360
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.98
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#29 of 51
2,950 employed here

How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in South Carolina?

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in South Carolina take home a median of $62,360 annually — roughly $29.98 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $65,120.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $49,540 while the top 10% make $79,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,380 and $75,130 a year.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$49,540$23.82
25th percentile (early career)$59,380$28.55
50th percentile (median)$62,360$29.98
75th percentile (experienced)$75,130$36.12
90th percentile (top earners)$79,150$38.05

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$97,910
2California$97,170
3Washington$95,040
4Massachusetts$91,350
5Rhode Island$84,300

Working as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in South Carolina

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 South Carolina pay ($62,360) 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 South Carolina?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in South Carolina is $62,360 per year, or about $29.98 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,540 at the entry level to $79,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 4% less than the national median of $65,120. South Carolina ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,360 a year. About 2,950 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School are employed in South Carolina. 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary report

Related salaries

Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education

$63,970
median pay · 1,388,000 employed

Curator

$63,420
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Archivist

$64,550
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Special Education Teacher, Preschool

$64,830
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Communication Teachers, Postsecondary

$78,580
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Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other

$50,890
median pay · 119,000 employed
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.