How Much Does a SPED Teacher Make in 2025?
A Special Education Teacher educates children with disabilities and formulates personalized education programs. They also tackle classroom difficulties, offer behavioral assistance, and may supervise teaching assistants or execute therapeutic programs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that SPED teachers show little or no change from 2023 to 2033.
According to Salary.com report, the average SPED teacher earns $64,800 per year, as of June 26, 2025. However, pay varies by experience, industry, location, and certifications, which will be discussed later.
What is the Average SPED Teacher’s Salary?
As of June 26, 2025, the average special education teacher salary in the United States is $64,800 per year. For the hourly wage, SPED teachers have an average salary of $31 per hour, with rates ranging from $19 to $50 per hour.
2025 SPED Teachers Average Salary: $64,800 per year ($31 per hour)
Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for a SPED teacher are $1,246 and $5,400, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a SPED Teacher?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the salary range for this job title starts at $38,589 and can reach as high as $103,124 per year, with most earnings falling between $51,080 and $84,860 per year.
However, as noted earlier, the salary range for SPED teachers varies based on factors such as education, experience level, and location.
SPED Teacher Salary Range: $38,589 to $103,124 per year ($19 to $50 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19 | $742 | $3,216 | $38,589 |
| 25th | $25 | $982 | $4,257 | $51,080 |
| 50th (Median) | $31 | $1,246 | $5,400 | $64,800 |
| 75th | $41 | $1,632 | $7,072 | $84,860 |
| 90th | $50 | $1,983 | $8,594 | $103,124 |
SPED Teacher Salary Factors
Several factors influence a SPED teacher's salary, including education, location, experience, and skills. Below is a breakdown of each factor and its impact on earnings.
Years of Experience
The average salary for a special education teacher varies by experience, ranging from $59,274 per year for entry-level positions to $72,530 per year for those with over eight years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Salary per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level SPED Teacher | <1 | $59,274 |
| Intermediate Level SPED Teacher | 1-2 | $60,280 |
| Senior Level SPED Teacher | 2-4 | $65,172 |
| Specialist Level SPED Teacher | 5-8 | $71,058 |
| Expert Level SPED Teacher | 8+ | $72,530 |
Place of Work
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that a SPED teacher's salary largely depends on where they work. Those working in high-demand industries such as special education teachers in secondary school compared to those in preschool.
| Place of Work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Special education teachers, secondary school | $69,590 |
| Special education teachers, all other | $67,430 |
| Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school | $63,000 |
| Special education teachers, preschool | $62,190 |
Skill Set
SPED teachers with in-demand skills can increase their salaries. Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report showed that teachers with structured query language (SQL) skills can earn 8.68% more than those without.
Also, a SPED teacher with application programming interface (API) skills is more likely to experience a salary increase of 8.01%, followed by skills like cloud platforms and scripting languages.
| Skill | Demand | Salary Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Structured Query Language (SQL) | 22.84% | +8.68% |
| Application Programming Interfaces (API) | 21.67% | +8.01% |
| Cloud Platform | 18.48% | +8.01% |
| Scripting Languages | 10.36% | +7.98% |
| Python | 18.34% | +6.02% |
| Git | 9.64% | +5.25% |
SPED Teacher Salary by City and State
The location of a SPED teacher can impact their salary. This information is valuable for analyzing salary trends, negotiating pay, or planning a career in the industry.
Highest Paying States for SPED Teacher
Based on Salary.com compensation data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for a special education teachers in the United States, at $71,740 per year, followed by California at $71,470.
- District of Columbia: $71,740 ($34 per hour)
- California: $71,470 ($34 per hour)
- Washington: $70,260 ($34 per hour)
- New Jersey: $70,230 ($34 per hour)
- Massachusetts: $70,520 ($34 per hour)
SPED Teacher Salary by State
| State/Territory | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $70,140 |
| Alabama | $59,530 |
| Arkansas | $58,540 |
| Arizona | $63,140 |
| California | $71,470 |
| Colorado | $66,110 |
| Connecticut | $69,250 |
| District of Columbia | $71,740 |
| Delaware | $65,620 |
| Florida | $61,310 |
| Georgia | $62,500 |
| Hawaii | $67,720 |
| Iowa | $62,010 |
| Idaho | $60,490 |
| Illinois | $66,050 |
| Indiana | $62,200 |
| Kansas | $61,700 |
| Kentucky | $60,970 |
| Louisiana | $61,610 |
| Massachusetts | $70,520 |
| Maryland | $66,810 |
| Maine | $63,180 |
| Michigan | $63,810 |
| Minnesota | $66,300 |
| Missouri | $61,560 |
| Mississippi | $57,780 |
| Montana | $61,170 |
| North Carolina | $61,580 |
| North Dakota | $64,000 |
| Nebraska | $61,040 |
| New Hampshire | $65,500 |
| New Jersey | $70,230 |
| New Mexico | $60,010 |
| Nevada | $64,130 |
| New York | $68,880 |
| Ohio | $63,090 |
| Oklahoma | $59,910 |
| Oregon | $65,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,500 |
| Rhode Island | $67,180 |
| South Carolina | $60,710 |
| South Dakota | $58,890 |
| Tennessee | $60,550 |
| Texas | $63,200 |
| Utah | $62,050 |
| Virginia | $65,250 |
| Vermont | $63,600 |
| Washington | $70,260 |
| Wisconsin | $63,740 |
| West Virginia | $58,350 |
| Wyoming | $62,140 |
Highest Paying Cities for SPED Teachers
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest salary for a special education teachers at $81,720 per year or $39 per hour. The top six highest-paying cities for SPED teachers are:
- San Jose, California: $81,720 ($39 per hour)
- San Francisco, California: $80,920 ($39 per hour)
- Oakland, California: $79,130 ($38 per hour)
- New York, New York: $75,090 ($36 per hour)
- Queens Village, New York: $74,600 ($36 per hour)
- Paramus, New Jersey: $74,090 ($36 per hour)
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a SPED Teacher
SPED teachers can boost their salary by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing within their roles.
- Gain industry experience: More experience in communication and interpersonal skills leads to higher pay. Entry-level client relationship managers earn about $59,274 per year, while those with 8+ years make around $72,530 per year, according to Salary.com reports. Over time, building strong connections with students, parents, and school staff can also enhance your professional reputation and open new salary opportunities.
- Develop high-demand skills: Improve and develop skills like structured query languages (SQL), application programming interfaces (API), and programming. Salary.com data indicates that the demand for these skills is high. It may be hard to learn these at first but mastering them can significantly increase your earning potential.
- Negotiate your compensation: Know the average salary for your role and location. Show how you help the company grow and ask for a raise. As of June 26, 2025, the average SPED teacher salary in the United States is $64,800 per year.
- Work in high-paying locations: Some cities offer higher salaries than others. Data from Salary.com indicates that San Jose, California provides the highest salary for a special education teachers, amounting to $81,720 annually or $39 hourly.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of June 26, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for SPED teachers in the United States is $66,955.2 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$64,800/year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$98,610/year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$62,000/year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$48,268/year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$61,098/year
