Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary (2025)
Based on 163,930 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $49,800 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $60,180 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $74,260 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $93,730 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $109,100 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$50K
25th
$60K
Median
$74K
75th
$94K
90th
$109K
Highest Paying States for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| California | $102,780 |
| District of Columbia | $101,340 |
| Washington | $97,960 |
| New York | $95,910 |
| Maryland | $89,120 |
| New Jersey | $88,760 |
| Massachusetts | $88,250 |
| Illinois | $86,150 |
| Connecticut | $85,660 |
| Rhode Island | $83,100 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is California at an average of $102,780 per year, while Rhode Island has an average of $83,100 — a difference of $19,680. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 163,930 workers were employed as Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Educational Instruction and Library Occupations. The annual mean wage of $77,260 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 25-2058