Occupational Outlook - Career Choices in Special Education - National Clearinghouse for Professions in Special Education

Occupational Outlook and Typical Salaries

Occupational Outlook

The employment opportunities in special education teaching are expected to grow 21-35% through 2010, an increase of over 150,000 positions.

Demand for Special Education Teachers (1987-2008).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2002-03 edition.

Additional information is available in our Research Library.

Typical Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2000 the median salary for special education teachers was $40,880 at the preschool, kindergarten, and elementary level; $38,600 at the middle school level; and $41,290 at the secondary level. The range of salaries was from less than $26,640 to over $67,000.

Salaries for public school teachers are set by the local school districts and so will vary from state to state and even within a particular state. In general, teacher salaries are determined by the teacher's education level and length of service, not the subject taught. However, because special education is a critical need area, some local school districts have begun offering stipends or signing bonuses to qualified special educators.

Average Salaries of Public School Teachers 2000-2001

Rank	State	Average Salary	Rank	State	Average Salary
1	Connecticut	53,507	27	New Hampshire	38,301
2	California	52,480	28	Vermont	38,254
3	New Jersey	51,955	29	Florida	38,230
4	New York	51,020*	30	South Carolina	37,938
5	Michigan	50,515*	31	Alabama	37,606*
6	Rhode Island	50,400*	32	Tennessee	37,413
7	Pennsylvania	49,528	33	Idaho	37,109
8	Washington, DC	48,488*	34	Kentucky	36,688
9	Alaska	48,123	35	Arizona	36,502
10	Illinois	47,865	36	Iowa	36,479
11	Massachusetts	47,789	37	Utah	36,441
12	Delaware	47,047	38	Maine	36,373
13	Maryland	45,963	39	West Virginia	35,888
14	Oregon	44,988	40	Kansas	35,766
15	Nevada	44,234	41	Missouri	35,091
16	Indiana	43,000	42	Arkansas	34,729
17	Ohio	42,892	43	Wyoming	34,678*
18	Minnesota	42,212	44	Nebraska	34,258
19	Washington	42,143	45	Louisiana	33,615
20	Georgia	42,141	46	New Mexico	33,531*
21	North Carolina	41,496	47	Montana	33,249
22	Wisconsin	40,939	48	Oklahoma	32,545
23	Hawaii	40,536	49	Mississippi	31,954
24	Virginia	40,247	50	North Dakota	30,891
25	Colorado	39,184	51	South Dakota	30,265
27	Texas	38,359

* estimated
Source: American Federation of Teachers

For further information on teacher's salaries, you may wish to investigate the following:

American Federation of Teachers
Center for Special Education Finance
Educational Research Service
National Education Association
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wages