Special Education Teacher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Special Education Teachers Make?
Special Education Teachers earn a median annual salary of $67,430 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $43,220 at the 10th percentile to $109,360 at the 90th percentile — a range of $66,140. The highest-paying state is New York at $96,600.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $43,220 |
| 25th percentile | $53,470 |
| Median (50th) | $67,430 |
| 75th percentile | $87,890 |
| 90th percentile | $109,360 |
Special Education Teacher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Yorktop | $96,600 |
| California | $87,600 |
| New Mexico | $83,030 |
| Oregon | $81,470 |
| District of Columbia | $80,670 |
| Rhode Island | $76,600 |
| Michigan | $75,820 |
| Delaware | $75,710 |
| New Jersey | $74,790 |
| Massachusetts | $74,510 |
| Virginia | $72,820 |
| Pennsylvania | $69,480 |
| Maryland | $69,360 |
| Minnesota | $67,430 |
| Washington | $67,110 |
| Colorado | $66,660 |
| Idaho | $65,760 |
| Texas | $65,340 |
| Utah | $65,030 |
| Wisconsin | $64,690 |
| Tennessee | $64,490 |
| Kentucky | $63,240 |
| North Dakota | $63,110 |
| Indiana | $61,850 |
| Nevada | $61,810 |
| North Carolina | $61,730 |
| Iowa | $61,640 |
| Illinois | $61,360 |
| Georgia | $61,240 |
| South Carolina | $61,100 |
| Arizona | $59,880 |
| New Hampshire | $59,670 |
| Louisiana | $59,010 |
| Arkansas | $57,260 |
| Connecticut | $57,120 |
| Florida | $56,930 |
| Maine | $55,810 |
| Nebraska | $47,880 |
| Missouri | $47,770 |
| Ohio | $46,840 |
| Vermont | $45,240 |
| Alabama | $36,070 |
| Mississippi | $36,040 |
| West Virginia | $31,100 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Special Education Teachers
Special Education Teacher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$43,220 – $53,470 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$67,430 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$87,890 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $109,360+ |
How to Earn More as a Special Education Teacher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Special Education Teachers in Lexington Park, MD earn $105,790 — $38,360 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($87,890) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 25-2059.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.