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Salary comparison

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: Who Earns More?

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools out-earn Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations by $1K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools land at $65,120 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations at $63,970. The education gap is real: special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school 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, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools is District of Columbia ($97,910); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations it's Washington ($102,350).

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$65,120
$63,970
Hourly rate
$null/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$49,350
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$103,010
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
260,870
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
1%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Washington

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School median pay.

State
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
District of Columbia
$97,910
$96,580
California
$97,170
$99,650
Washington
$95,040
$102,350
Massachusetts
$91,350
$94,000
Rhode Island
$84,300
$90,930
Connecticut
$82,950
$80,600
New York
$81,260
$85,760
Alaska
$80,230
$79,260
Maryland
$78,850
$77,680
Oregon
$77,700
$77,130
New Jersey
$76,660
$78,200
Ohio
$73,970
$77,370
Pennsylvania
$72,680
$77,060
Minnesota
$67,620
$76,350
Delaware
$65,990
$75,920

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations?

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools earn more nationally. The median is $65,120 for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations, a difference of $1K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School or Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School 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, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools at $97,910/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, Kindergarten and Elementary School vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools earn $97,910 vs. $96,580 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations by take-home payExplore →How to become a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schoolGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →