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Salary comparison

Special Education Teachers, All Other vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?

Special Education Teachers, All Other out-earn Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by $13K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Special Education Teachers, All Other land at $76,580 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education at $63,970. The education gap is real: special education teachers, all other programs typically require bachelor's degree, while elementary school teachers, except special education programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Special Education Teachers, All Other is California ($103,050); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education it's Washington ($102,350).

Special Education Teachers, All Other
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$76,580
$63,970
Hourly rate
$null/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$48,440
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$120,080
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
33,930
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
1.1%
-2%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
California
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Special Education Teachers, All Other median pay.

State
Special Education Teachers, All Other
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
California
$103,050
$99,650
Delaware
$85,040
$75,920
Oregon
$82,240
$77,130
Rhode Island
$80,080
$90,930
Massachusetts
$78,440
$94,000
Washington
$76,790
$102,350
Pennsylvania
$76,530
$77,060
Maryland
$76,100
$77,680
District of Columbia
$71,130
$96,580
New Jersey
$71,110
$78,200
Minnesota
$69,470
$76,350
New York
$65,970
$85,760
Illinois
$64,850
$75,320
Connecticut
$61,480
$80,600
Ohio
$51,230
$77,370

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Special Education Teachers, All Other or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Special Education Teachers, All Other earn more nationally. The median is $76,580 for Special Education Teachers, All Other versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, a difference of $13K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Special Education Teachers, All Other or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Special Education Teachers, All Other has the better 10-year outlook at 1.1% projected growth, compared to -2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Special Education Teachers, All Other or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Special Education Teachers, All Other typically requires bachelor's degree. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Special Education Teachers, All Other get paid the most?

California is the top-paying state for Special Education Teachers, All Other at $103,050/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Special Education Teachers, All Other vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Special Education Teachers, All Other earn $103,050 vs. $99,650 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Special Education Teachers, All Other salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for Special Education Teachers, All Other by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education by take-home payExplore →How to become a special education teachers, all otherGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →