Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in 2026
How Much Do Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools Make?
Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools earn a median annual salary of $69,590 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $47,930 at the 10th percentile to $106,050 at the 90th percentile — a range of $58,120. The highest-paying state is California at $101,250.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,930 |
| 25th percentile | $58,180 |
| Median (50th) | $69,590 |
| 75th percentile | $87,140 |
| 90th percentile | $106,050 |
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $101,250 |
| Washington | $97,820 |
| District of Columbia | $96,880 |
| New York | $91,830 |
| Rhode Island | $89,460 |
| Massachusetts | $82,580 |
| New Jersey | $80,360 |
| Maryland | $79,370 |
| Oregon | $78,980 |
| Alaska | $78,850 |
| Connecticut | $77,430 |
| Illinois | $76,960 |
| Delaware | $75,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $75,330 |
| Ohio | $74,420 |
| New Mexico | $71,960 |
| Vermont | $71,620 |
| Michigan | $71,260 |
| Minnesota | $71,110 |
| Georgia | $71,050 |
| Virginia | $64,640 |
| Colorado | $64,530 |
| Nevada | $64,060 |
| New Hampshire | $62,860 |
| Texas | $62,710 |
| Nebraska | $62,610 |
| Wyoming | $62,500 |
| Arizona | $61,890 |
| South Carolina | $61,600 |
| North Dakota | $61,550 |
| Wisconsin | $61,500 |
| Montana | $61,410 |
| Florida | $60,570 |
| Maine | $60,470 |
| Alabama | $60,100 |
| Utah | $60,080 |
| Indiana | $59,990 |
| Kansas | $59,640 |
| Iowa | $58,780 |
| Hawaii | $58,660 |
| Tennessee | $58,580 |
| Kentucky | $58,400 |
| Louisiana | $58,180 |
| West Virginia | $55,600 |
| North Carolina | $55,000 |
| Arkansas | $53,350 |
| Missouri | $51,370 |
| Oklahoma | $50,150 |
| Mississippi | $50,030 |
| South Dakota | $49,990 |
| Idaho | $47,950 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 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) | ~$47,930 – $58,180 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$69,590 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$87,140 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $106,050+ |
How to Earn More as a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA earn $108,790 — $39,200 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 ($87,140) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schoolthis career | $69,590 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,070 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisor | $65,140 |
| Education Teacher | $72,090 |
| Preschool Teacher | $37,120 |
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SOC: 25-2058.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.