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Special education teacher salary in United States

How much does a Special Education Teacher make in the United States?

Average base salary

$58,501
Average $58,501
Low $36,684
High $93,296
Non-cash benefit
401(k)
View more benefits

The average salary for a special education teacher is $58,501 per year in the United States. 21.8k salaries reported, updated at September 21, 2023

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Salaries by years of experience in the United States

Years of experiencePer year
Less than 1 year
1 to 2 years
3 to 5 years
6 to 9 years
More than 10 years
View job openings with the years of experience that is relevant to you on Indeed
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Top companies for Special Education Teachers in United States

  1. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
    4.3
    843 reviews346 salaries reported
    $109,855per year
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Highest paying cities for Special Education Teachers near United States

  1. Philadelphia, PA
    $84,828 per year
    254 salaries reported
  2. Denver, CO
    $84,726 per year
    249 salaries reported
  3. Washington, DC
    $72,319 per year
    239 salaries reported
  1. Bronx, NY
    $70,327 per year
    374 salaries reported
  2. Los Angeles, CA
    $69,883 per year
    174 salaries reported
  3. New York, NY
    $67,979 per year
    490 salaries reported
  1. Brooklyn, NY
    $65,275 per year
    292 salaries reported
  2. Chicago, IL
    $62,454 per year
    403 salaries reported
  3. Houston, TX
    $60,276 per year
    235 salaries reported
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Where can a Special Education Teacher earn more?

Compare salaries for Special Education Teachers in different locations
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Best-paid skills and qualifications for Special Education Teachers

Most recommended skill

Crisis Intervention(earn +138.90% more)

The jobs requiring this skill have increase by 9.88% since 2018. Special Education Teachers with this skill earn +138.90% more than the average base salary, which is $58,501 per year.

Job Trend
YearNumber of job openings on Indeed requiring this skillChange from previous year
201212increase by 12
201377increase by 541.67%
2014218increase by 183.12%
2015178decrease by 18.35%
2016233increase by 30.90%
2017131decrease by 43.78%
2018162increase by 23.66%
2019178increase by 9.88%

Top companies hiring Special Education Teachers with the recommended skill

Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools
Loudoun County Public Schools
LEARNING NETWORK
Jones Telepractice Agency
Prince William County Public Schools
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Top certifications
Certified School Psychologist
+70.76%salary
Top specialties
Physical & Rehabilitation Medicine
+70.76%salary
Top licenses
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
+72.82%salary

More critical skills and qualifications that pay well

Top SkillsSalaryJob openingsCompanies
26 jobs51
137 jobs282
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Most common benefits for Special Education Teachers

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • 403(b)
  • AD&D insurance
  • Continuing education credits
  • Dental insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employee discount
  • Flexible schedule
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Loan forgiveness
  • Loan repayment program
  • Opportunities for advancement
  • Paid housing
  • Paid sick time
  • Paid time off
  • Paid training
  • Parental leave
  • Professional development assistance
  • Referral program
  • Relocation assistance
  • Retirement plan
  • Travel reimbursement
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Vision insurance
  • Work from home
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Salary satisfaction

Based on 6,998 ratings

42% of Special Education Teachers in the United States think their salaries are enough for the cost of living in their area.

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How much do similar professions get paid in United States?

Teacher

Job openings

Average $17.96 per hour

Elementary School Teacher

Job openings

Average $17.94 per hour

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Common questions about salaries for a Special Education Teacher

How can I know if I am being paid fairly?

If you’re unsure about what salary is appropriate for a special education teacher position, visit Indeed's Salary Calculator to get a free, personalized pay range based on your location, industry and experience.

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How can special education teachers increase their salary?

To increase your salary as a special education teacher, consider the following options:

  • Pursue a master's degree. Those who earn a master's degree in special education can receive higher earnings and stand out among competitors. An advanced degree could also help you negotiate salary expectations.
  • Apply for administrative positions. You can also potentially increase your salary by applying for administrative roles within special education, such as special education coordinator.
  • Search by state. A contributing factor to salary can be the geographic location of one's employment. Consider researching the highest paying states and applying for jobs in those areas.
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How much do similar professions to special education teacher get paid?

Check the below Indeed career pages for the detailed pay ranges for the similar professions to special education teacher here:

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