Special education teacher salary is a key consideration for anyone exploring a rewarding and in-demand career in special education. Special education teachers play a crucial role in their students’ lives, assessing each student’s unique needs and capabilities, and developing educational plans tailored to foster learning and growth.
Professionals interested in special education jobs should understand the typical salary for special education teachers, the role’s responsibilities, and the necessary steps to pursue the required credentials. They can then develop the knowledge and skills needed to help children and adolescents with special needs meet their full potential. Earning a master’s in special education, like the online Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education: Learning Disabilities from American University (AU), can prepare individuals to take a thoughtful, multidisciplinary approach to supporting students with learning challenges.
Special Education Teacher Job Description
Special education teachers work with children and adolescents who have physical, cognitive, and/or emotional disabilities. These educators also collaborate with students’ parents, psychologists, social workers, and school psychologists, among others, to develop individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to each student’s unique strengths and challenges.
Although the specific day-to-day responsibilities of special education teachers can vary based on where they work and their students’ ages, common daily duties include the following:
- Assessing students’ skills and educational needs
- Adapting lesson plans to meet each student’s individualized needs
- Tracking students’ performance
- Developing, modifying, and updating IEPs
- Discussing students’ progress with their other teachers
Special education teachers should also possess certain skills and abilities to assist special education students with various needs. These include:
- Effective communication to maintain positive relationships with students and their parents
- Adaptability to pick up and apply new teaching methods
- Compassion and patience to support students
- Ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds and with different abilities
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Educational Requirements for Special Education Teachers
Individuals interested in pursuing special education jobs must hold at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as mathematics, science, English, or special education; individuals wanting to work in Connecticut, Maryland, or New York must also hold a master’s degree. Additionally, public schools in all 50 states require special education teachers to be licensed; many private schools do not impose this requirement.
To become licensed, aspiring special education teachers typically must earn a bachelor’s degree, complete a set number of student teaching hours, pass a background check, and pass a general teaching certification test. The minimum grade point average (GPA), quality point average (QPA) and the number of student teaching hours they must complete before they can sit for their licensing exam vary from state to state.
Licensing terms also vary by state. Some states require teachers to renew their licenses every two years, while others have five-year licensing terms. To renew a license, teachers must complete a set number of continuing education credits. The specific requirements for each state are established by each state’s department of education.
Possible Work Environments for Special Education Teachers
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 531,600 special education jobs throughout the United States in 2023. Most professionals working in this field were employed in kindergartens and elementary schools (a total of 212,700), while approximately 159,500 were employed by secondary schools.
Although public institutions employed 85 percent of all special education teachers, the BLS notes that a small percentage of individuals were employed elsewhere, e.g., in students’ homes, residential care facilities, and hospitals.
Most special education teachers work Monday through Friday during school hours. Many work the traditional 10-month school year, with two months off during the summer. Educators typically have short breaks during the winter and spring. However, some educators work a year-round schedule, which often entails nine weeks of working followed by three weeks off, and some choose to work in summer programs.
In addition to traditional classroom roles, professionals with a special education degree can also pursue careers outside the classroom, including positions such as educational coordinator, corporate trainer, advocacy manager, and educational consultant.
Special Education Teacher Salary and Job Outlook
The BLS projects that the number of special education jobs will show little or no change between 2023 and 2033, which is slightly better than the 1 percent decline projected for many other teaching occupations. Despite the minimal growth, approximately 35,900 positions are expected to become available each year during that period, primarily driven by student enrollment and demand for special education services.
The BLS further reports that, as of May 2024, the median annual wage for special education teachers was $64,270, with teachers in the top 10th percentile earning more than $103,290 annually.
A special education teacher’s salary can vary depending on several factors. These include the teacher’s experience level, whether they’ve completed advanced education, and the geographical region where they work. For example, the salary of a special education teacher employed in a high-cost-of-living state, such as California, is often higher than a special education salary in a lower cost-of-living state, such as Kentucky.
Pursue Your Dream of Teaching the Next Generation
Professionals interested in making a difference in the lives of students facing challenges are likely to find that earning a master’s in special education, such as AU’s online Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education: Learning Disabilities (SELD), prepares them to meet the individual needs of students living with or at risk for learning disabilities.
The SELD program provides hands-on training in diagnostic-prescriptive teaching, grounded in the Sally L. Smith Methodology and informed by The Lab School of Washington’s successful model. Coursework in this 100-percent-online program includes classes such as Learning and the Brain, Overview of All Exceptionalities: The Arts in Special Education, and Foundations of Special Education for Exceptional Children.
Upon completing the program, graduates will be prepared to pursue special education jobs in various settings, including public, private, and independent schools, clinics, treatment centers, government agencies, and research institutions. Connect with an enrollment advisor to discover how AU’s online SELD program prepares you for rewarding special education jobs or to get help choosing the right master’s in teaching program for your career goals.
