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

Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools out-earn Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations by $10K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools land at $74,260 and Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations at $63,970. The education gap is real: special education teachers, secondary 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, Secondary Schools is Washington ($101,120); for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations it's Washington ($102,350).

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median salary
$74,260
$63,970
Hourly rate
$null/hr
$null/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$49,800
$47,960
Senior level (90th %)
$109,100
$104,340
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
163,930
1,388,390
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
1%
Category
Education
Education
Top-paying state
Washington
Washington

Pay by state

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

State
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Washington
$101,120
$102,350
California
$101,060
$99,650
District of Columbia
$99,670
$96,580
Maryland
$93,530
$77,680
Rhode Island
$92,990
$90,930
New York
$89,310
$85,760
Massachusetts
$83,890
$94,000
New Jersey
$83,770
$78,200
Connecticut
$81,710
$80,600
Alaska
$80,580
$79,260
Delaware
$78,490
$75,920
Oregon
$77,400
$77,130
Pennsylvania
$77,000
$77,060
Minnesota
$76,600
$76,350
Ohio
$76,180
$77,370

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

Common questions

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

Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools earn more nationally. The median is $74,260 for Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools versus $63,970 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations, a difference of $10K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

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

Special Education Teachers, Secondary 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, Secondary Schools get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools at $101,120/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, Secondary School vs. Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools earn $101,120 vs. $102,350 for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educations. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary breakdownView →Full Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary breakdownView →Best cities for Special Education Teachers, Secondary 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, secondary schoolGuide →How to become a elementary school teachers, except special educationGuide →