State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School Salary (2026): Data, Outlook & How to Become One
The median pay for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School is $74,260 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 1.6% through 2034, with about 11,100 openings a year (BLS EP, 2024–2034). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
SOC 25-2058Educational Instruction and LibraryLast updated August 23, 2026
- Median pay
- $74,260
- Projected growth
- -1.6%
- Openings a year
- 11,100
- Typical education
- Bachelor's
BLS OEWS, May 2025
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
BLS EP, 2024–2034
Also advertised as: Education Specialist, Emotional Disability Special Education Teacher (ED SPED Teacher), Exceptional Student Education Teacher (ESE Teacher), Handicapped Teacher, HS SPED Teacher (High School Special Education Teacher), Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher (LD Special Education Teacher).
How much do Special Education Teachers, Secondary School make?
10th percentile$49,800
Entry / lowest-paid tenth
25th percentile$60,180
Lower quartile
Median (50th)$74,260
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile$93,730
Upper quartile
90th percentile$109,100
Top-paid tenth
| Median annual wage | $74,260 |
|---|---|
| Median hourly wage | N/A |
| Mean annual wage | $77,260 |
| People employed | 163,930 |
Versus all US occupations
At $74,260, Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn 46% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $23,280 a year.
Versus educational instruction and library occupations
Inside the Educational Instruction and Library group, where the middle occupation pays $77,355, this is 4% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $109,100 or more while the bottom 10% earn $49,800, a gap of 2.2×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 58% of the 923 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Washington pays the most at $101,120, and still leads at $94,493 once local prices are taken into account.
Which states pay Special Education Teachers, Secondary School the most?
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $101,120 | $94,493 | 2,510 |
| California | $101,060 | $91,275 | 12,100 |
| District of Columbia | $99,670 | $90,691 | 440 |
| Maryland | $93,530 | $89,111 | 1,560 |
| Rhode Island | $92,990 | $90,917 | 830 |
| New York | $89,310 | $82,755 | 15,250 |
| Massachusetts | $83,890 | $79,323 | 5,470 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 | $76,991 | 7,520 |
| Connecticut | $81,710 | $78,863 | 1,920 |
| Alaska | $80,580 | $78,723 | 590 |
Is Special Education Teacher, Secondary School a growing career?
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School-1.6%
All US occupations3.1%
-1.6% projected growth vs 3.1% for all occupations.
Declining
BLS projects employment of Special Education Teachers, Secondary School to change -1.6% over 2024–2034, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.1%. That is 2,600 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 11,100 openings are projected each year, 6.8% of the 164,200 jobs that existed in 2024. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of special education teachers is projected to grow 1 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Projected employment of special education teachers varies by occupation (see table).
Demand for special education teachers will be driven by school enrollments and the need for special education services.
How to become a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School
Every state requires special education teachers in public schools to hold a state teaching licence, and the special education part is a distinct authorisation on top of a general licence rather than a variant of it. Two things make this harder than a general secondary licence. First, the special education authorisation is normally banded by the type and level of student support you are qualified for, not by subject. Second, several states now also require you to hold or demonstrate the content-area certification for each subject you teach as teacher of record, which means a special education teacher can need two certifications where a general education teacher needs one.
The credential path, step by step
- Earn a bachelor's degree4 years
All states require special education teachers in public schools to have at least a bachelor's degree. Some require a degree specifically in special education; others allow a major in education or in a content area such as mathematics or science with a minor in special education. Private schools typically require a bachelor's degree in special education but do not require a licence.
- Complete a state-approved preparation program with student teaching
Programs teach the different types of disabilities and how to present information so students will understand, and typically include a student-teaching placement with a mentor. California's Education Specialist Instruction preparation programs take about two years and lead to a Preliminary credential.
- Choose your special education authorisation area
This is the part that differs from a general licence. California issues the Education Specialist Instruction credential in five specialty areas: Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Extensive Support Needs, Early Childhood Special Education, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Visual Impairments. Each authorises teaching any subject, but only so long as the credential matches the disability areas of your students, and each carries its own age or grade span.
- Pass the tests your state requires
Requirements generally include a general teaching certification test plus a test demonstrating knowledge of the subject the candidate will teach. Which tests those are is decided by your state, so confirm before you register.
- Cover the content areas you will teach as teacher of record
Texas adopted rules in February 2025 (19 TAC Chapter 231, Subchapter F, section 231.701) requiring all special education teachers to hold a valid special education certificate and requiring special education teachers of record to hold the appropriate grade-banded content certification for each area they are assigned. Those who do not must demonstrate content competency through the Texas Content Competency Worksheet, completed with an authorised district or school administrator; the older HOUSSE route expired on 1 September 2025.
- Clear the background check and clear your credential
Passing a background check is part of certification in every state. Many states then issue a provisional credential that must be upgraded: in California the Preliminary Education Specialist credential is cleared by completing an induction programme, a mentoring and support programme for beginning teachers, after which the Clear credential is renewed online every five years.
- How long the training takes
4 years for a bachelor's degree, plus a preparation program of about 2 years where it is taken separately
Career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree can use the alternative certification route every state offers; those programs cover teaching methods and child development and may award a master's degree on completion. Some states additionally require a master's in special education to be completed after you already have the job, in order to become fully certified.
- Continuing education
Set by each state
Set by each state. A common pattern is a term-limited credential that must be renewed on a fixed cycle: California's Education Specialist Instruction credential is issued for five years and renewed online at the end of each cycle once cleared. Some states require a master's degree to be completed after certification.
Licensing and state variation
Licensed state by state
All states require public school teachers to be licensed in the specific grade level they teach, and licence requirements generally involve a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average, completion of a student-teaching program, passing a background check, and passing a general teaching certification test plus a subject-knowledge test. What varies for special education specifically is the structure of the authorisation. California grants the Education Specialist Instruction credential in five named specialty areas defined by student support needs and disability categories, tied to age and grade spans, and moves teachers from a Preliminary to a Clear credential through an induction programme. Texas instead pairs a special education certificate with grade-banded content certification for every area a teacher of record is assigned, and requires a documented content competency determination when that pairing is missing. Some states require a master's degree to be completed after certification and employment. Private-school special education teachers typically do not need to be licensed at all.
Who governs the credential
- Texas Education Agency and the State Board for Educator Certification (TEA and SBEC) — Issues Texas educator certificates and sets the special education personnel assignment rules. Under the rules SBEC adopted in February 2025, a special education teacher of record must hold both a valid special education certificate and the appropriate grade-banded content certification for each assigned area, or complete the Texas Content Competency Worksheet with a district administrator.
- California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) — Issues California's Education Specialist Instruction credential in five specialty areas, sets the Preliminary to Clear progression through induction, and allows entry through an emergency permit, an Intern credential that lets you teach while completing preparation, or a Preliminary credential after completing it.
Credential detail for special education teacher, secondary schools is researched by hand from the bodies that issue it, not derived from BLS or O*NET. Sources last checked August 23, 2026. Requirements change: confirm with your own state board before enrolling in anything.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook — Special Education Teachers, How to Become One · checked August 23, 2026
- Texas Education Agency — Special Education Personnel Assignment Guidance (19 TAC Chapter 231, Subchapter F, section 231.701) · checked August 23, 2026
- California Commission on Teacher Credentialing — Education Specialist Instruction Quick Facts · checked August 23, 2026
What the federal data says
Special education teachers in public schools are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree and a state-issued certification or license. Private schools typically require teachers to have a bachelor’s degree, but the teachers are not required to be licensed or certified.
| Typical entry-level education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Preparation needed (O*NET job zone) | Medium preparation |
| Work experience in a related occupation | None |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as special education teachers, secondary school.
- Bachelor's Degree42.4%
- Master's Degree42.2%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate15.0%
- Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)0.2%
- Post-Master's Certificate0.2%
What does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School do?
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.
Special education teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills to students with severe disabilities.
Day-to-day tasks
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Attend staff meetings and serve on committees, as required.
- Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
- Confer with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Special education teachers typically work during school hours. In addition to providing instruction during this time, they grade papers, update students’ records, and prepare lessons. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers or specialists before and after classes.
Many work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. They also have a short midwinter break. Some teachers work in summer programs.
Working with people
- Constant contact with other people
- Face-to-face discussions every day
Pressure and stakes
- Handling conflict situations at least monthly
Autonomy
- A lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2024–2034 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey, showing only the signals people in the job report decisively one way or the other.
Core skills
- Learning Strategies4.1/5
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Active Learning3.4/5
Transferable skills
- Instructing4.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Coordination3.9/5
- Service Orientation3.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Time Management3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Persuasion3.0/5
Tools and software
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Computer based training software
- Device drivers or system software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
What personality type suits a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School?
Interest profile: O*NET Occupational Interests, scored 1–7
Realistic2.4
Investigativeprimary3.8
Artisticprimary3.8
Socialprimary7.0
Enterprising1.9
Conventional3.5
Day to day this is work built around teaching, helping and working directly with other people, combined with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data.
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School: frequently asked questions
How much do Special Education Teachers, Secondary School make?
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn a median of $74,260 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 46% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. The middle half earn between $60,180 and $93,730. The top 10% earn $109,100 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 42.4% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Special Education Teacher, Secondary School a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 1.6% over 2024–2034, a loss of 2,600 jobs (BLS EP, 2024–2034). BLS still projects about 11,100 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School do?
Special education teachers work with students who have learning, mental, emotional, or physical disabilities. A core O*NET task: teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement. Employers most often ask for Data base user interface and query software, Desktop publishing software, Document management software.
Which states pay Special Education Teachers, Secondary School the most?
The highest state medians for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School are Washington ($101,120), California ($101,060), District of Columbia ($99,670) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School?
O*NET scores Special Education Teachers, Secondary School highest on the Social, Investigative and Artistic interest areas, so the work mixes teaching, helping and working directly with other people with investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ENFJ, ENFP, INFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 923 occupations in the bank.
How long does it take to become a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School?
4 years for a bachelor's degree, plus a preparation program of about 2 years where it is taken separately. Career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree can use the alternative certification route every state offers; those programs cover teaching methods and child development and may award a master's degree on completion. Some states additionally require a master's in special education to be completed after you already have the job, in order to become fully certified.
Do you need a license to work as a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School?
Yes, and it is issued by the state you work in, not nationally. All states require public school teachers to be licensed in the specific grade level they teach, and licence requirements generally involve a bachelor's degree with a minimum grade point average, completion of a student-teaching program, passing a background check, and passing a general teaching certification test plus a subject-knowledge test. What varies for special education specifically is the structure of the authorisation. California grants the Education Specialist Instruction credential in five named specialty areas defined by student support needs and disability categories, tied to age and grade spans, and moves teachers from a Preliminary to a Clear credential through an induction programme. Texas instead pairs a special education certificate with grade-banded content certification for every area a teacher of record is assigned, and requires a documented content competency determination when that pairing is missing. Some states require a master's degree to be completed after certification and employment. Private-school special education teachers typically do not need to be licensed at all.