Education8% remote-eligible+3.5% YoY growth

Special Education Teacher Salary
by City (2026)

Educate students with physical, emotional, cognitive, and learning disabilities. National median: $65K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$65K

Top 10% earn

$108K

Entry level

$48K

Salary growth

+3.5%/yr

Special Education Teacher salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$62K	$85K	$109K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$61K	$83K	$108K	210	9.3%
Washington, DC	$60K	$81K	$105K	152	8.5%
New York City, NY	$59K	$80K	$104K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$59K	$80K	$103K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$59K	$80K	$103K	185	11%
Oakland, CA	$59K	$79K	$102K	185	9.3%
Bellevue, WA	$57K	$78K	$101K	175	None ✓
Boston, MA	$58K	$78K	$101K	162	5%
Irvine, CA	$57K	$77K	$100K	172	9.3%
Jersey City, NJ	$57K	$77K	$99K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$56K	$76K	$98K	165	6.85%
Bethesda, MD	$56K	$76K	$98K	165	5.75%
Los Angeles, CA	$55K	$75K	$97K	163	9.3%
Kirkland, WA	$56K	$75K	$97K	162	None ✓
Worcester, MA	$55K	$75K	$97K	120	5%
Arlington, VA	$55K	$75K	$97K	148	5.75%
Newark, NJ	$55K	$75K	$97K	155	10.75%
Stamford, CT	$55K	$75K	$96K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$55K	$74K	$96K	155	11%
San Diego, CA	$54K	$73K	$94K	148	9.3%
Anaheim, CA	$54K	$73K	$94K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$54K	$73K	$94K	150	9.3%
Seattle, WA	$54K	$73K	$94K	150	None ✓
Rockville, MD	$54K	$73K	$94K	148	5.75%
Alexandria, VA	$53K	$72K	$93K	145	5.75%
Philadelphia, PA	$53K	$72K	$92K	110	3.07%
Baltimore, MD	$53K	$72K	$92K	115	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$53K	$72K	$93K	145	10.75%
Hartford, CT	$53K	$72K	$92K	118	6.99%
Honolulu, HI	$53K	$72K	$92K	192	11%
Chula Vista, CA	$52K	$71K	$91K	138	9.3%
Paterson, NJ	$53K	$71K	$92K	140	10.75%
Edison, NJ	$52K	$71K	$91K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$52K	$71K	$91K	138	None ✓
Sacramento, CA	$52K	$70K	$91K	128	9.3%
Long Beach, CA	$52K	$70K	$91K	155	9.3%
Portland, OR	$52K	$70K	$91K	130	9.9%
Anchorage, AK	$52K	$70K	$91K	128	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$50K	$68K	$88K	107	4.95%
Tacoma, WA	$50K	$68K	$88K	128	None ✓
Denver, CO	$50K	$68K	$88K	118	4.55%
Durham, NC	$50K	$68K	$88K	100	4.75%
Madison, WI	$50K	$68K	$88K	102	5.3%
Minneapolis, MN	$50K	$68K	$88K	106	6.8%
St. Paul, MN	$50K	$68K	$88K	104	6.8%
New Haven, CT	$50K	$68K	$87K	122	6.99%
Frisco, TX	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	None ✓
Lowell, MA	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	5%
Gresham, OR	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	None ✓
Nashua, NH	$50K	$67K	$87K	120	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$49K	$67K	$86K	118	5.99%
Austin, TX	$49K	$66K	$86K	110	None ✓
Hialeah, FL	$49K	$66K	$86K	115	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$48K	$66K	$85K	112	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$49K	$66K	$86K	115	None ✓
Fort Collins, CO	$48K	$66K	$85K	112	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$49K	$66K	$86K	115	4.55%
Raleigh, NC	$49K	$66K	$86K	102	4.75%
Cary, NC	$48K	$66K	$85K	112	4.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$49K	$66K	$86K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$49K	$66K	$86K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$49K	$66K	$86K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$49K	$66K	$86K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$49K	$66K	$86K	115	5.99%
Plano, TX	$48K	$65K	$84K	105	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$48K	$65K	$84K	108	None ✓
Miami, FL	$48K	$65K	$84K	123	None ✓
Scottsdale, AZ	$48K	$65K	$84K	118	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$48K	$65K	$84K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$48K	$65K	$84K	108	2.5%
Aurora, CO	$48K	$65K	$84K	112	4.55%
Thornton, CO	$48K	$65K	$84K	108	4.55%
Atlanta, GA	$48K	$65K	$84K	99	5.75%
Pittsburgh, PA	$48K	$65K	$84K	90	3.07%
Eugene, OR	$48K	$65K	$84K	110	9.9%
Salt Lake City, UT	$48K	$65K	$84K	105	4.85%
Provo, UT	$48K	$65K	$84K	100	4.85%
Boise, ID	$48K	$65K	$84K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$48K	$65K	$84K	108	6.6%
Houston, TX	$47K	$64K	$82K	91	None ✓
Dallas, TX	$48K	$64K	$83K	96	None ✓
Irving, TX	$47K	$64K	$82K	97	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$47K	$64K	$82K	108	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$47K	$64K	$82K	102	None ✓
Stockton, CA	$48K	$64K	$83K	105	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$47K	$64K	$82K	90	6.85%
Tampa, FL	$47K	$64K	$82K	102	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$47K	$64K	$82K	118	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$47K	$64K	$82K	100	2.5%
Chandler, AZ	$47K	$64K	$82K	105	2.5%
Springfield, MA	$48K	$64K	$83K	105	5%
Charlotte, NC	$47K	$64K	$82K	100	4.75%
Richmond, VA	$47K	$64K	$82K	98	5.75%
Nashville, TN	$47K	$64K	$82K	102	None ✓
Columbus, OH	$47K	$64K	$82K	90	3.99%
Salem, OR	$48K	$64K	$83K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$48K	$64K	$83K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$48K	$64K	$83K	105	5.8%
Missoula, MT	$47K	$64K	$82K	102	6.75%
Fort Worth, TX	$47K	$63K	$81K	93	None ✓
Arlington, TX	$47K	$63K	$81K	94	None ✓
Denton, TX	$47K	$63K	$82K	100	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$47K	$63K	$82K	100	9.3%
Albany, NY	$47K	$63K	$81K	98	6.85%
Port St. Lucie, FL	$47K	$63K	$81K	98	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$47K	$63K	$82K	100	None ✓
Peoria, AZ	$47K	$63K	$82K	100	2.5%
Chesapeake, VA	$47K	$63K	$81K	98	5.75%
Rochester, MN	$47K	$63K	$82K	100	6.8%
North Las Vegas, NV	$47K	$63K	$81K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$47K	$63K	$81K	98	4.85%
West Jordan, UT	$47K	$63K	$82K	100	4.85%
Orem, UT	$47K	$63K	$81K	98	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$47K	$63K	$82K	100	5.7%
Nampa, ID	$47K	$63K	$81K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$47K	$63K	$81K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$47K	$63K	$81K	98	7.15%
Dover, DE	$47K	$63K	$82K	100	6.6%
San Antonio, TX	$46K	$62K	$81K	87	None ✓
Garland, TX	$46K	$62K	$81K	91	None ✓
Midland, TX	$46K	$62K	$80K	92	None ✓
Bakersfield, CA	$46K	$62K	$81K	95	9.3%
Buffalo, NY	$46K	$62K	$80K	88	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$46K	$62K	$80K	93	None ✓
Orlando, FL	$46K	$62K	$81K	100	None ✓
St. Petersburg, FL	$46K	$62K	$81K	105	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$46K	$62K	$81K	95	4.95%
Mesa, AZ	$46K	$62K	$80K	98	2.5%
Glendale, AZ	$46K	$62K	$81K	95	2.5%
Colorado Springs, CO	$46K	$62K	$80K	102	4.55%
Athens, GA	$46K	$62K	$80K	92	5.75%
Virginia Beach, VA	$46K	$62K	$81K	98	5.75%
Norfolk, VA	$46K	$62K	$81K	95	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$46K	$62K	$81K	95	5.75%
Cincinnati, OH	$46K	$62K	$80K	88	3.99%
Allentown, PA	$46K	$62K	$81K	95	3.07%
Kansas City, MO	$46K	$62K	$80K	90	5.3%
St. Louis, MO	$46K	$62K	$81K	86	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$46K	$62K	$80K	88	3.23%
Milwaukee, WI	$46K	$62K	$81K	90	5.3%
Duluth, MN	$46K	$62K	$80K	92	6.8%
Las Vegas, NV	$46K	$62K	$80K	102	None ✓
Reno, NV	$46K	$62K	$81K	108	None ✓
Huntsville, AL	$46K	$62K	$80K	88	5%
Charleston, SC	$46K	$62K	$81K	105	6.5%
North Charleston, SC	$46K	$62K	$81K	95	6.5%
Greenville, SC	$46K	$62K	$80K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$46K	$62K	$80K	92	None ✓
Grand Prairie, TX	$45K	$61K	$79K	90	None ✓
Pasadena, TX	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	6.85%
Tallahassee, FL	$45K	$61K	$79K	90	None ✓
Gainesville, FL	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$45K	$61K	$79K	90	4.95%
Greensboro, NC	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	None ✓
Sterling Heights, MI	$45K	$61K	$79K	90	4.25%
Green Bay, WI	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	5.3%
Kenosha, WI	$45K	$61K	$79K	90	5.3%
Lexington, KY	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	5%
Great Falls, MT	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	None ✓
Fargo, ND	$45K	$61K	$79K	90	2.5%
Bismarck, ND	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$45K	$61K	$79K	88	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	None ✓
Killeen, TX	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	None ✓
Waco, TX	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$44K	$60K	$77K	102	9.3%
Rockford, IL	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	4.95%
Spokane, WA	$44K	$60K	$77K	95	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$44K	$60K	$77K	90	2.5%
Pueblo, CO	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	5.75%
Macon, GA	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	5.75%
Winston-Salem, NC	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	4.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	None ✓
Cleveland, OH	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	3.99%
Akron, OH	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	3.99%
Detroit, MI	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	4.25%
Grand Rapids, MI	$44K	$60K	$77K	90	4.25%
Warren, MI	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	4.25%
Erie, PA	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	5.3%
Independence, MO	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	3.23%
South Bend, IN	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	3.23%
Louisville, KY	$44K	$60K	$77K	85	5%
Bowling Green, KY	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	5%
Mobile, AL	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$44K	$60K	$77K	88	6.5%
Norman, OK	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	4.75%
Broken Arrow, OK	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	4.75%
Lafayette, LA	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	6%
Des Moines, IA	$44K	$60K	$77K	88	4.82%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	4.82%
Davenport, IA	$44K	$60K	$77K	82	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	5.7%
Omaha, NE	$44K	$60K	$77K	88	5.84%
Lincoln, NE	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	5.84%
Las Cruces, NM	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	5.9%
Rio Rancho, NM	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	5.9%
Gulfport, MS	$44K	$60K	$77K	80	5%
Fayetteville, AR	$45K	$60K	$78K	85	4.9%
El Paso, TX	$43K	$59K	$76K	82	None ✓
Corpus Christi, TX	$43K	$59K	$76K	84	None ✓
Brownsville, TX	$43K	$59K	$76K	75	None ✓
Abilene, TX	$44K	$59K	$76K	78	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$43K	$59K	$76K	85	None ✓
Toledo, OH	$44K	$59K	$76K	78	3.99%
Evansville, IN	$44K	$59K	$76K	78	3.23%
Birmingham, AL	$43K	$59K	$76K	82	5%
New Orleans, LA	$43K	$59K	$76K	92	6%
Baton Rouge, LA	$43K	$59K	$76K	88	6%
Shreveport, LA	$44K	$59K	$76K	78	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$43K	$59K	$76K	88	5.9%
Jackson, MS	$44K	$59K	$76K	78	5%
Fort Smith, AR	$43K	$59K	$76K	75	4.9%
Charleston, WV	$44K	$59K	$76K	78	6.5%
Huntington, WV	$43K	$59K	$76K	75	6.5%
Lubbock, TX	$42K	$57K	$74K	78	None ✓
Savannah, GA	$42K	$57K	$74K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$42K	$57K	$74K	82	None ✓
Oklahoma City, OK	$42K	$57K	$74K	82	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$42K	$57K	$74K	82	5.7%
Little Rock, AR	$42K	$57K	$74K	82	4.9%
Tulsa, OK	$41K	$56K	$72K	80	4.75%
Laredo, TX	$41K	$55K	$71K	76	None ✓

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $65K Special Education Teacher salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Special Education Teacher Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Special Education Teacher is $65,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $48,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $84,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Special Education Teachers nationally earn $108,000+.

Education and requirements

Bachelor's in Special Education; state certification. This role is 8% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Special Education Teacher compensation is growing at 3.5% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.

Special Education Teacher salary FAQ

How much does a Special Education Teacher make?

The median Special Education Teacher salary in the US is $65,000 per year — about $31/hour. Most earn between $48,000 (25th percentile) and $84,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Special Education Teacher?

Entry-level Special Education Teacher positions typically start around $48,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Special Education Teachers earn?

The top 10% of Special Education Teachers earn $108,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Special Education Teachers the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Special Education Teacher salary at $85K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Special Education Teacher salaries going up?

Yes — Special Education Teacher pay is growing about 3.5% year over year, near the US average wage-growth rate.

Special Education Teacher Salaryby City (2026)