Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, secondary school in New York is $89,310/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $134K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.21), that's roughly $90,938 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,917/month, about 34.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New York. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $89K get you in New York?
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 New York
New York sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, secondary school, local pay runs about 20% higher than the U.S. median of $74K. Rent runs $1,917/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.4% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.21) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, New York
Entry-level special education teachers, secondary schools (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $134K or more, a $74K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary by metro in New York
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $100K | +12% | 14,700 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $94K | +5% | 560 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $82K | -8% | 740 |
| Kingston | $82K | -8% | 170 |
| Elmira | $78K | -12% | 60 |
| Binghamton | $78K | -13% | 160 |
| Syracuse | $77K | -13% | 640 |
| Utica-Rome | $77K | -14% | 270 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $74K | -18% | 740 |
| Glens Falls | $74K | -18% | 80 |
| Ithaca | $71K | -21% | 90 |
| Rochester | $63K | -29% | 1,270 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | $62K | -30% | 120 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, secondary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, secondary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in New York?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 34.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,917/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,700/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 New York?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, secondary schools typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,644/month. At HUD’s $1,917/month FMR, rent would take 53% 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 New York?
Local pay is 20% above the national median — $89K here vs. $74K nationally.
How does New York compare to the national average for special education teachers, secondary schools?
New York pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $74K — that’s +20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.21), the purchasing-power equivalent is $91K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, secondary schools make in New York?
The median is $89,310 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,740, and experienced special education teachers, secondary schools can clear $134,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in New York?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,576/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,917/month, which eats 34.4% 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 New York?
New York has a Regional Price Parity of 98.21 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special education teachers, secondary school salary is worth about $90,938 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.