Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in the United States

Median annual wage: $74,260 · Median hourly: — · Employment: 163,930

Annual Salary Percentiles

PercentileAnnualHourly
10th$49,800
25th$60,180
Median$74,260
75th$93,730
90th$109,100

Quick Facts

A closer look

For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $49,800, median pay is $74,260, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $109,100.

The mean wage of $77,260 sits 4.0% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary by State

The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.

StateMedian AnnualMedian Hourlyvs NationalEmployment
Alabama $62,210 -16.2% 740
Alaska $80,580 +8.5% 590
Arizona $64,300 -13.4% 1,960
Arkansas $57,000 -23.2% 1,280
California $101,060 +36.1% 12,100
Colorado $67,240 -9.5% 2,970
Connecticut $81,710 +10.0% 1,920
Delaware $78,490 +5.7% 1,160
District of Columbia $99,670 +34.2% 440
Florida $61,510 -17.2% 7,940
Georgia $74,150 -0.1% 4,090
Hawaii $65,980 -11.2% 800
Idaho $60,700 -18.3% 470
Illinois $79,890 +7.6% 9,490
Indiana $61,130 -17.7% 2,580
Iowa $60,780 -18.2% 1,570
Kansas $60,700 -18.3% 1,650
Kentucky $60,730 -18.2% 2,680
Louisiana $59,100 -20.4% 3,160
Maine $61,710 -16.9% 860
Maryland $93,530 +25.9% 1,560
Massachusetts $83,890 +13.0% 5,470
Michigan $78,050 +5.1% 2,570
Minnesota $76,600 +3.2% 4,130
Mississippi $51,970 -30.0% 1,670
Missouri $55,920 -24.7% 2,760
Montana $62,310 -16.1% 480
Nebraska $63,460 -14.5% 1,240
Nevada $60,810 -18.1% 350
New Hampshire $69,560 -6.3% 910
New Jersey $83,770 +12.8% 7,520
New Mexico $76,940 +3.6% 2,150
New York $89,310 +20.3% 15,250
North Carolina $56,770 -23.6% 3,400
North Dakota $61,210 -17.6% 520
Ohio $76,180 +2.6% 10,580
Oklahoma $59,660 -19.7% 2,020
Oregon $77,400 +4.2% 1,240
Pennsylvania $77,000 +3.7% 11,040
Rhode Island $92,990 +25.2% 830
South Carolina $62,150 -16.3% 1,780
South Dakota $54,810 -26.2% 500
Tennessee $61,360 -17.4% 2,010
Texas $64,830 -12.7% 10,200
Utah $64,210 -13.5% 1,220
Vermont $79,360 +6.9% 660
Virginia $68,400 -7.9% 6,380
Washington $101,120 +36.2% 2,510
West Virginia $55,390 -25.4% 840
Wisconsin $63,520 -14.5% 3,350
Wyoming $62,750 -15.5% 350

Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for special education teachers, secondary school?

The median annual wage for special education teachers, secondary school is $74,260 (— per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.

Which state pays special education teachers, secondary school the most?

Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

How many special education teachers, secondary school are employed in the U.S.?

There are approximately 163,930 special education teachers, secondary school employed nationally, per BLS OES.

How much do special education teachers, secondary school make per hour?

The median hourly wage is —. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.