Instructional
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Provides specialized instruction to students with disabilities
Special education teachers earn a median of $65,120 a year nationally ($72,650 on average), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 survey of 260,870 elementary special education teachers. Where you work matters more than almost anything else: the state median runs from $50,380 in West Virginia to $97,910 in the District of Columbia, and within a state, district size and local property wealth move pay by another 20-30%. The table below has every state.
- Pay range
- $50,000–$98,000
- Median
- $65,120
- Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job outlook
- Fast-growing
Salary by state
Nationally, special education teachers earn a median of $65,120 a year ($72,650 mean, 260,870 employed). Pay ranges from $97,910 in District of Columbia to $50,380 in West Virginia. Figures are annual median wages for all special education teachers in the state, across every grade level and district type.
| State | Median | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $65,120 | $72,650 | 260,870 |
| District of Columbia | $97,910 | $94,970 | 1,070 |
| California | $97,170 | $93,510 | 23,280 |
| Washington | $95,040 | $93,970 | 3,450 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 | $89,550 | 7,220 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 | $80,910 | 1,070 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 | $84,040 | 2,810 |
| New York | $81,260 | $91,610 | 21,130 |
| Alaska | $80,230 | $80,110 | 320 |
| Maryland | $78,850 | $83,370 | 2,760 |
| Illinois | $77,960 | $77,170 | 14,040 |
| Oregon | $77,700 | $78,310 | 1,520 |
| New Jersey | $76,660 | $80,520 | 11,610 |
| New Mexico | $76,420 | $74,740 | 880 |
| Michigan | $74,600 | $75,380 | 4,010 |
| Colorado | $74,290 | $73,510 | 4,010 |
| Vermont | $74,200 | $72,160 | 770 |
| Ohio | $73,970 | $71,630 | 9,550 |
| Georgia | $72,880 | $72,090 | 9,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,680 | $72,340 | 7,640 |
| Virginia | $67,740 | $72,890 | 7,440 |
| Minnesota | $67,620 | $70,350 | 3,960 |
| Delaware | $65,990 | $70,000 | 1,070 |
| New Hampshire | $65,160 | $66,620 | 1,110 |
| Nevada | $65,110 | $67,760 | 430 |
| Alabama | $64,520 | $65,270 | 870 |
| Idaho | $63,610 | $66,070 | 620 |
| Tennessee | $62,560 | $63,380 | 3,910 |
| Nebraska | $62,420 | $65,160 | 1,900 |
| South Carolina | $62,360 | $64,750 | 2,950 |
| Texas | $62,330 | $63,310 | 56,760 |
| Maine | $61,880 | $64,220 | 1,320 |
| Wisconsin | $61,520 | $64,400 | 4,280 |
| Utah | $61,290 | $65,210 | 1,890 |
| Hawaii | $60,940 | $68,060 | 1,270 |
| Wyoming | $60,930 | $64,310 | 650 |
| Iowa | $60,440 | $59,940 | 2,560 |
| Kentucky | $60,060 | $58,580 | 3,710 |
| Kansas | $59,970 | $60,550 | 1,610 |
| Florida | $58,850 | $60,600 | 8,740 |
| Louisiana | $58,800 | $58,260 | 4,000 |
| Indiana | $58,760 | $59,860 | 3,640 |
| North Carolina | $58,260 | $57,160 | 4,430 |
| North Dakota | $57,950 | $57,450 | 590 |
| Montana | $57,630 | $59,320 | 560 |
| Missouri | $57,260 | $59,660 | 2,860 |
| Arizona | $56,030 | $57,470 | 2,450 |
| Arkansas | $54,290 | $56,160 | 1,430 |
| South Dakota | $51,090 | $53,530 | 790 |
| Oklahoma | $50,630 | $55,380 | 2,360 |
| Mississippi | $50,570 | $53,290 | 2,530 |
| West Virginia | $50,380 | $52,870 | 1,690 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation code 252052. Rows at or above the national median are shaded.
What affects your pay
- State. Special education teachers are on the same district salary schedule as general-education teachers, so state funding formulas drive the biggest differences — the top five states pay: the District of Columbia ($97,910), California ($97,170), Washington ($95,040), Massachusetts ($91,350), Rhode Island ($84,300).
- District. Within a state, suburban and large urban districts commonly pay $10,000-$20,000 more than small rural districts for the same experience. Illinois is a good example: the statewide median is $77,960, but Chicago-area districts pay well above it.
- Years of experience. Salary schedules step up every year; a teacher with 15 years typically earns 40-60% more than a first-year teacher in the same district.
- Education level. A master's degree moves you to a higher lane on most schedules, usually worth $3,000-$8,000 a year; some districts pay more for a master's in special education specifically.
- Stipends. Because special education positions are hard to fill, many districts add a special-education stipend ($1,000-$5,000), and case-manager or extended-school-year duties pay extra.
- Setting. Self-contained and low-incidence classrooms (autism, severe disabilities) sometimes carry higher stipends than resource or co-teaching roles.
What you'll do
- Develop and implement Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)
- Provide specialized instruction in small groups or one-on-one
- Adapt curriculum and materials for student needs
- Collaborate with general education teachers
- Assess student progress and adjust interventions
- Communicate with parents about student goals and progress
A typical day
- Small group reading and math intervention
- Individual student support sessions
- Co-teaching in general education classrooms
- IEP meetings and documentation
- Behavior intervention and support
- Parent communication
- Collaboration with related service providers
Education & certification path
- Bachelor's degree in Special Education
- Complete student teaching in special education setting
- Pass state special education licensure exams
- Ongoing professional development in disability areas
Required certifications
- State special education teaching license
- LBS1 or categorical certification
- CPI or behavior management training
Career progression
- Student Teacher → Special Education Teacher
- Lead Special Education Teacher
- Special Education Coordinator
- Director of Special Education Services
Where and when you'll work
- Work environment
- Resource room or self-contained classroom with specialized materials and technology
- Typical schedule
- 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM with IEP meetings extending hours
Frequently asked questions
How much do special education teachers make?
Special education teachers make a median of $65,120 a year nationally, with a mean of $72,650, according to BLS May 2025 data for elementary special education teachers. Half earn more and half earn less. By state, the median ranges from $50,380 in West Virginia to $97,910 in the District of Columbia; experienced teachers with a master's degree in high-paying districts can exceed $100,000.
Which states pay special education teachers the most?
The highest-paying states for elementary special education teachers are the District of Columbia ($97,910), California ($97,170), Washington ($95,040), Massachusetts ($91,350), Rhode Island ($84,300), Connecticut ($82,950). The lowest are Oklahoma ($50,630), Mississippi ($50,570), West Virginia ($50,380). Cost of living explains much of the gap, but not all of it — several Midwestern states pay above the national median with moderate living costs.
Do special education teachers get paid more than regular teachers?
Usually only slightly. Most districts put special education and general education teachers on the same salary schedule, so base pay is identical for the same experience and degree. The difference comes from stipends: because special education positions are chronically hard to fill, many districts add $1,000-$5,000 a year for special education assignments, case management, or extended-school-year work.
How much do special education teachers make in Illinois?
In Illinois, elementary special education teachers earn a median of $77,960 a year (mean $77,170), well above the national median of $65,120, with about 14,040 employed statewide. Chicago-area suburban districts pay the most; downstate rural districts pay the least.
How do I become a special education teacher?
You need a bachelor's degree, a state teaching license with a special education endorsement, and student teaching or a supervised residency. If you already have a bachelor's degree in another field, alternative certification programs can put you in a classroom within a year while you complete coursework — and because of the shortage, many districts will sponsor or reimburse them.