Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, secondary school in Hawaii is $65,980/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.17), so that salary is closer to $59,889 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,240/month, about 52% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Hawaii. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $66K get you in Hawaii?
About special education teachers, secondary schools
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Hawaii
Pay for special education teachers, secondary school in Hawaii runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $74K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,240/month, which is 53.4% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost-of-living overall is 10% above the national average (BEA RPP 110.17), so groceries and services cost more too. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for special education teachers, secondary schools.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Hawaii
Entry-level special education teachers, secondary schools (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K. Top earners bring in $93K or more, a $35K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary by metro in Hawaii
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $63K | -4% | 570 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, secondary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Hawaii numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, secondary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Hawaii?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $66K, rent takes 53.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,240/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, secondary schools in Hawaii?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, secondary schools typically earn — is $58K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,495/month. At HUD’s $2,240/month FMR, rent would take 64% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is special education teachers, secondary school a high-paying job in Hawaii?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $66K here vs. $74K nationally.
How does Hawaii compare to the national average for special education teachers, secondary schools?
Hawaii pays $66K median vs. the U.S. average of $74K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 110.17), the purchasing-power equivalent is $60K — below the national median.
How much do special education teachers, secondary schools make in Hawaii?
The median is $65,980 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,250, and experienced special education teachers, secondary schools can clear $93,170. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Hawaii?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,191/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,240/month, which eats 53.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a special education teachers, secondary school salary go in Hawaii?
Hawaii has a Regional Price Parity of 110.17 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special education teachers, secondary school salary is worth about $59,889 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, secondary schools get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.