Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in West Virginia (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
West Virginia Median
$50,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#51 of 51
1,690 employed here

How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in West Virginia?

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in West Virginia take home a median of $50,380 annually — roughly $24.22 an hour — which runs 23% below the national median of $65,120.

Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $42,890 while the top 10% make $63,460 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,090 and $59,640 a year.

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in West Virginia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$42,890$20.62
25th percentile (early career)$47,090$22.64
50th percentile (median)$50,380$24.22
75th percentile (experienced)$59,640$28.67
90th percentile (top earners)$63,460$30.51

How West Virginia compares

West Virginia ranks 51st 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 West Virginia

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 West Virginia pay ($50,380) 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 West Virginia?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in West Virginia is $50,380 per year, or about $24.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,890 at the entry level to $63,460 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 23% less than the national median of $65,120. West Virginia ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,380 a year. About 1,690 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 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.