Special Education Teacher (Secondary) earn $74,260 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $60,180 and $93,730. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
Also known as:
Special Education Teacher (Secondary) earn $74,260 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,180 and $93,730. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Above the national median for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Special Education Teacher (Secondary) roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects -1.6% employment change for Special Education Teacher (Secondary) through 2034, a declining trend, below the national average of +5%. About 11,100 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Declining employment projected.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Special Education Teacher (Secondary) professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $74,260 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 17,030 | $91,830 | +23.7% |
| 2 | California | 12,190 | $101,250 | +36.3% |
| 3 | Ohio | 10,570 | $74,420 | +0.2% |
| 4 | Texas | 10,490 | $62,710 | -15.6% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 10,090 | $75,330 | +1.4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Special Education Teacher (Secondary) positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Special Education | 34,843 | $50,499 | 1,010 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 3 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 4 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN | 90 | $15,846 | $91,565 |
| 5 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
| 6 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FL | 90 | $10,411 | $58,308 |
Once you've sized up Special Education Teacher (Secondary), these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Special Education Teacher (Secondary) pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
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Special Education Teacher (Secondary) has real financial strengths, but declining employment projections deserve careful consideration. The 1 upsides and 2 concerns below are all data-sourced.
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