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Special education teacher salary in California
- $63,180lowest 10% earn less
- $76,70025th percentile
- $97,170median
- $108,32075th percentile
- $123,590top 10% earn more
The median pay for special education teachers in California was $97,170 a year in May 2025[1]. That was $32,050 higher than the US median[6].
How much do special education teachers make in California?
Special education teachers (kindergarten and elementary school) in California had a median wage of $97,170 a year[1]. Half of them earned more and half earned less. The average was $93,510 a year[7]. BLS publishes only yearly wages for this job, not hourly wages[8].
The US median was $65,120, so California ran $32,050 (49.2%) higher[6]. California had the 2nd highest median of the 50 states and DC[5]. Against all jobs in the state, the median for this job was $38,930 above the $58,240 all-occupation median[9][10].
The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $63,180, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $123,590[2]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont had the highest median among the 22 metro areas with a published figure, at $105,290[11]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim was at $96,970 and Bakersfield-Delano at $75,250[12].
OEWS counts people paid a wage or salary, part time or full time. It leaves out the self-employed and owners, and it does not include bonuses or the cost of benefits to employers[13].
California vs US pay
Pay for special education teachers in California next to the national figures[1][3].
Pay by metro area in California
Metro areas in California with the most jobs for special education teachers, and the median pay in each[12].
| Metro area | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA[12] | $96,970 | 6,410 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $105,290 | 3,440 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $91,840 | 3,140 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $97,860 | 1,970 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $98,330 | 1,700 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $75,250 | 800 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,640 | 790 |
| Fresno, CA | $95,950 | 700 |
Pay in nearby states
Median pay for special education teachers in the states that border California, highest first[15].
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon[15] | $77,700 | 1,520 |
| Nevada | $65,110 | 430 |
| Arizona | $56,030 | 2,450 |
Job outlook and training
Across the US, jobs for special education teachers are projected to decline 0.4% from 2025 to 2035[16]. BLS does not publish this projection by state. The typical education for entry is: bachelor's degree[17].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a special education teacher make in California?
- The median for kindergarten and elementary school special education teachers was $97,170 a year in May 2025[1]. The average was $93,510 a year[7].
- How much does a special education teacher make an hour in California?
- BLS publishes only annual wages for this job, not hourly wages[8]. The yearly median was $97,170[1].
- Which city in California pays special education teachers the most?
- San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont had the highest median of the 22 metro areas with a published figure, at $105,290 a year[11].
- Is California a good state for special education teachers?
- California ranked 2nd of the 50 states and DC on median pay for this job[5]. Its median was $32,050 above the US median[6] and $38,930 above the median for all jobs in the state[9].
- What do you need to become a special education teacher in California?
- This is a US figure, not a California one. Across the US, the typical entry education is a Bachelor's degree, with no work experience or on-the-job training needed[17].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California was $97,170 per year. Half of these workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California: 10th percentile $63,180, 25th percentile $76,700, 75th percentile $108,320, 90th percentile $123,590. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less, the 90th means 10% earned more. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the US as a whole was $65,120 per year, with about 260,870 jobs nationwide. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 23,280 people worked as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: California had the 2nd highest median annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School out of the 50 states and DC with a published median. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California ($97,170) was $32,050 (49.2%) higher than the US median ($65,120). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California was $93,510 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS publishes only annual wages for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- CareerFacts calculation from BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California was $38,930 higher than the median for all occupations in the state ($58,240). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in California was $58,240. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: of the 22 metro areas in or partly in California with a published median for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median annual wage, $105,290. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Metro areas with the most jobs in this occupation, with median annual wage, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the US: 10th percentile $49,350, 25th percentile $59,710, 75th percentile $80,280, 90th percentile $103,010. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, median annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in states that border California (highest first): Oregon $77,700; Nevada $65,110; Arizona $56,030. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state): employment of Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School is projected to decline 0.4% nationwide from 2025 to 2035, with about 16,400 openings a year on average. All occupations are projected to grow 3.5%. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections (US, not by state), typical path into Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections