Special Education Teacher Salary.
How Much Do Special Education Teachers Make?
Teachers of special education deal with pupils who have physical, mental, and emotional difficulties. State certification and a bachelor’s degree in education are often the minimum qualifications for special education instructors, along with a student teaching program that is focused on kids with special needs. Other states may have other requirements.
All special education instructors get an average yearly wage of $58,980. The location, the kind of school, and whether the teacher is a specialist in a particular field of special education all have a significant impact on pay.
Consider the median compensation for special education teachers in public versus private schools:
- The median pay for special education teachers in Public Schools: $59,720.
- The median pay for special education teachers in Private Schools: $51,300.
The age of the pupils you teach might also affect your pay as a special education teacher. In 2017, the median pay for special education instructors in middle schools was $59,510.
Let us get into more detail about the pay a special education teacher might earn.
Average Special Education Teacher Salary:
Most special education instructors made between $38,000 and $96,000 per year as of May 2017, with those working outside of the school system (in healthcare offices) earning incomes on the upper end. Depending on the grade level the teacher works with, the typical yearly special education teacher compensation for those employed in schools was in the low- to mid-$60,000 range.
- Special education teacher in Primary and Kindergarten: $61,960
- Teachers of special education in Middle Schools: $63,250
- Teachers of special education in Secondary Schools: $64,590
It’s crucial to remember that the majority of teachers don’t put in ‘regular’ hours or work year-round. Many special education instructors work a 10-month school year, followed by a 2-month summer vacation and a break in the middle of the year. Due to this, instructors must make appropriate plans based on their pay schedule.
Special Education Teacher Starting Salary:
The beginning salary follows the general trend of special education teacher wages in that it is location- and job-specific. The starting salary range for special education instructors is $33,000 to $56,500 annually. The entry-level median earnings for special education teachers are as follows, broken down by the grade level taught:
- High School: $42,496
- Middle School: $43,371
- Preschool or Elementary: $41,052
Average Salary Of A Special Education Teacher By State:
The pay of special education instructors are influenced by supply and demand, as well as the cost of living in each state. For instance, the average teaching wage is probably greater in states with few special education teachers and a high cost of living than it is in other states with a low cost of living and/or a large supply of instructors. Connecticut, Alaska, and California had the highest salaries for these instructors working in elementary schools, while New York, California, and Oregon had the highest salaries for those working in high schools.
Here is a look at what special education instructors make on average per year in each state:
| State | Kindergarten and Elementary Average Salary | Middle School Average Salary | High School Average Salary |
| Alabama | $48,800 | $52,390 | $47,930 |
| Alaska | $78,460 | $75,950 | $74,440 |
| Arizona | $45,270 | $44,450 | $49,280 |
| Arkansas | $49,220 | $50,800 | $51,550 |
| California | $77,370 | $74,210 | $80,120 |
| Colorado | $53,840 | $53,470 | $55,830 |
| Connecticut | $83,110 | $72,730 | $79,350 |
| Delaware | $60,960 | $70,670 | $63,320 |
| District of Columbia | $73,220 | $65,750 | $70,200 |
| Florida | $53,910 | $53,900 | $55,270 |
| Georgia | $54,940 | $55,950 | $58,240 |
| Hawaii | N/A | N/A | $56,330 |
| Idaho | $44,860 | $59,340 | $49,740 |
| Illinois | $65,430 | $62,160 | $68,560 |
| Indiana | $50,670 | $51,000 | $52,840 |
| Iowa | $56,350 | $59,180 | $56,820 |
| Kansas | $52,250 | $52,790 | $52,450 |
| Kentucky | $53,530 | $53,310 | $54,220 |
| Louisiana | $49,970 | $49,900 | $50,770 |
| Maine | $52,660 | $52,430 | $51,230 |
| Maryland | $60,850 | $70,470 | $67,490 |
| Massachusetts | $69,470 | $67,810 | $70,080 |
| Michigan | $64,770 | $62,990 | $65,830 |
| Minnesota | $63,330 | $65,290 | $63,370 |
| Mississippi | $46,210 | $47,480 | $49,490 |
| Missouri | $53,910 | $52,630 | $47,250 |
| Montana | $53,650 | $41,650 | $43,270 |
| Nebraska | $56,630 | $57,060 | $58,570 |
| Nevada | $51,860 | $52,740 | $58,170 |
| New Hampshire | $57,550 | $55,690 | $60,760 |
| New Jersey | $69,120 | $70,250 | $75,870 |
| New Mexico | $61,300 | $51,270 | $56,670 |
| New York | $75,760 | $80,380 | $85,600 |
| North Carolina | $45,930 | $46,330 | $47,840 |
| North Dakota | $52,500 | $60,410 | $53,220 |
| Ohio | $56,300 | $60,010 | $58,050 |
| Oklahoma | $41,820 | $43,300 | $45,600 |
| Oregon | $75,230 | $79,630 | $79,410 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,280 | $66,650 | $63,650 |
| Rhode Island | $67,980 | $66,400 | $69,910 |
| South Carolina | $57,230 | $54,290 | $56,780 |
| South Dakota | $42,880 | $43,030 | $41,810 |
| Tennessee | $50,050 | $50,650 | $51,060 |
| Texas | $58,330 | $58,080 | $59,310 |
| Utah | $43,840 | $46,810 | $45,180 |
| Vermont | $62,640 | $64,800 | $63,950 |
| Virginia | $69,530 | $74,950 | N/A |
| Washington | $63,620 | $61,740 | $63,590 |
| West Virginia | $43,350 | $43,380 | $43,000 |
| Wisconsin | $56,950 | $55,500 | $51,680 |
| Wyoming | $59,560 | $59,830 | $58,360 |
Special Education Teacher Salary With Masters:
Although a master’s degree is not necessary for all special education teaching jobs, it can help you get an advanced certification, open up more teaching jobs, or become ready for consulting work. Special education instructors with master’s degrees typically earn between $50,315 and $57,026 per year in pay. According to the grade level taught, master’s degree holders often earn:
- High School: $52,075
- Middle School: $50,991
- Preschool through Elementary School: $48,830
A special education teacher with a master’s degree can make more money than the typical range in a select few regions. These are some of the top cities for salaries:
- Atlanta, GA – $60,092
- Chicago, IL – $70,567
- New York, NY – $79,665
Since the job entails more than just teaching in the classroom, special education consultants must hold a master’s degree. They frequently serve as consultants to school boards, organizations, or even individual families. They could also be asked for assistance with disability diagnosis. The increased responsibilities and specialization lead to a greater compensation, which averages $66,668 per year.
Elementary Special Education Teacher Salary:
In addition to teaching them life skills related to their particular disability, special education teachers who deal with physically and intellectually challenged kindergarten and elementary school pupils assist them study common courses covered in primary school. The average income for primary special education teachers was $58,600 annually, while typical earnings in certain major cities are significantly higher, including:
- Los Angeles, CA – $81,680
- New York, NY – $75,770
- Waterbury, CT – $94,380
Special Education Preschool Teacher Salary:
Preschoolers with special needs must overcome specific challenges. In addition to having to acquire fundamental skills with other preschoolers, they also have to deal with a physical or mental impairment. A preschool special education teacher has received specialized training to deal with a range of special needs in the early life educational setting. As of May 2017, the median pay for special education preschool teachers was $53,640.
Special Education Paraprofessional Salary:
Paraprofessionals in special education support special education instructors in the classroom, sometimes working with classes of kids or even one-on-one. Any anyone wishing to work in special education paraprofessionals may also need to complete training for working with pupils who have a variety of physical, mental, or learning disabilities. Most school systems require paraprofessionals to hold at least an associate’s degree. With a mean hourly pay of $13.01, the typical special education assistant compensation was $27,060 per year.
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