Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary in 2026
How Much Do Special Education Teachers, Preschools Make?
Special Education Teachers, Preschools earn a median annual salary of $62,190 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $38,740 at the 10th percentile to $132,530 at the 90th percentile — a range of $93,790. The highest-paying state is New York at $129,860.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,740 |
| 25th percentile | $49,370 |
| Median (50th) | $62,190 |
| 75th percentile | $81,330 |
| 90th percentile | $132,530 |
Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Yorktop | $129,860 |
| New Jersey | $86,650 |
| Massachusetts | $82,740 |
| Washington | $80,080 |
| Georgia | $78,300 |
| Alaska | $77,370 |
| Michigan | $73,630 |
| Vermont | $70,160 |
| Minnesota | $66,570 |
| Colorado | $66,420 |
| Virginia | $64,860 |
| Rhode Island | $64,050 |
| New Mexico | $63,810 |
| Nebraska | $63,760 |
| Connecticut | $63,700 |
| North Dakota | $62,870 |
| Ohio | $62,820 |
| Oregon | $61,650 |
| Tennessee | $60,810 |
| Texas | $60,810 |
| Arizona | $60,660 |
| Illinois | $60,420 |
| Kentucky | $59,840 |
| South Carolina | $57,560 |
| Kansas | $57,250 |
| Wisconsin | $57,230 |
| Utah | $56,040 |
| California | $55,890 |
| New Hampshire | $55,300 |
| North Carolina | $54,390 |
| Indiana | $53,900 |
| Louisiana | $52,700 |
| Wyoming | $50,370 |
| Florida | $50,030 |
| Missouri | $48,990 |
| Mississippi | $48,500 |
| West Virginia | $47,910 |
| Oklahoma | $47,880 |
| Arkansas | $35,220 |
| Iowa | $34,420 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Special Education Teachers, Preschools
Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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) | ~$38,740 – $49,370 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$62,190 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$81,330 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $132,530+ |
How to Earn More as a Special Education Teachers, Preschool
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Special Education Teachers, Preschools in New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ earn $132,930 — $70,740 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($81,330) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, Preschoolthis career | $62,190 |
| School Psychologist | $86,930 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor | $65,140 |
| Education Teacher | $72,090 |
| Preschool Teacher | $37,120 |
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SOC: 25-2051.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.