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Middle school special education teacher: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 29, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$66,810median pay per year, May 2025[1]
  1. $49,420lowest 10% earn less
  2. $60,00025th percentile
  3. $66,810median
  4. $82,80075th percentile
  5. $102,510top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

Middle school special education teachers had a median pay of $66,810 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to dip 0.4% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
-0.4%[2]
Openings per year
6,000[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do middle school special education teachers make?

BLS counts this job as Special Education Teachers, Middle School. The median wage was $66,810 a year[1]. That means half the workers made more than this and half made less[1]. The average was $73,780 a year[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[4]. BLS publishes only annual wages for this job, so there is no hourly figure to quote[8].

Pay has a wide spread. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $49,420 a year, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $60,000[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $82,800, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $102,510[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS does not publish a starting salary[9].

Measure Annual wage
10th percentile[3] $49,420
25th percentile[3] $60,000
Median[1] $66,810
75th percentile[3] $82,800
90th percentile[3] $102,510

These figures cover full-time and part-time wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not include benefits or bonuses outside regular production[10]. About 95,200 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest median annual wage at $101,530[12]. Washington followed at $99,520, then Rhode Island at $93,970 and New York at $93,820[12]. Texas had the most jobs at 12,580[13]. New York (7,870) and Ohio (7,540) came next[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $121,070[14]. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA followed at $110,850, then Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA at $101,560[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, with 8,330 jobs and a median of $94,740[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[12]$101,5304,860
Washington$99,5201,550
Rhode Island$93,970380
New York$93,8207,870
Connecticut$92,9001,260
Massachusetts$84,5503,110
Alaska$81,000200
District of Columbia$79,170520
New Jersey$79,1105,660
Utah$78,920690
Oregon$78,360590
Delaware$77,420n/a
Pennsylvania$77,0403,710
Maryland$76,4101,540
Michigan$76,0401,410
Illinois$74,7304,460
Ohio$74,5907,540
New Mexico$74,4401,090
Vermont$73,110470
Georgia$70,5503,740
New Hampshire$66,760650
Colorado$66,1302,020
Wisconsin$65,8402,650
Montana$63,960190
Virginia$63,8203,000
Minnesota$63,6301,930
Iowa$63,590990
Nebraska$63,460680
Maine$63,440310
Texas$63,36012,580
Nevada$63,280290
Alabama$62,850460
Wyoming$62,770330
South Carolina$62,310980
Arizona$62,130580
Hawaii$61,750380
Florida$60,4402,630
Kentucky$60,2001,530
Idaho$60,170300
Tennessee$60,0001,310
Kansas$59,780550
Louisiana$59,4201,130
North Carolina$59,3602,470
Indiana$58,9001,070
North Dakota$57,680200
Arkansas$56,830750
West Virginia$56,4401,080
South Dakota$51,360310
Mississippi$50,7501,020
Oklahoma$50,450930
Missouri$50,3701,050

How to become a middle school special education teacher

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education, with no related work experience or on-the-job training needed[6]. In an ONET survey of 29 workers, 83% said a bachelor's degree was required and 15% said a master's degree[16]. ONET places the job in a zone where considerable preparation is needed[17].

The training details below come from a BLS profile that covers a wider group of special education teachers, not only middle school[18].

Requirements vary by state. They generally involve a minimum grade point average, student teaching, a background check, and passing a general teaching test and a subject test[22][23][24][25][26]. Some states want a degree in special education. Others allow a major in education or a content area with a special education minor[19]. All states offer an alternative route for people who already hold a bachelor's degree[27]. States may also require a master's degree in special education after you get a job[20].

What middle school special education teachers do

They teach academic, social and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional or physical disabilities[28]. Typical tasks include:

Job titles reported by workers include Learning Support Teacher and Middle School Resource Teacher[30].

Where they work

For the wider group of special education teachers, BLS lists elementary and secondary schools run by local governments as the largest employer, at 86%[31]. A small number work in residential facilities, hospitals or students' homes[32]. Teachers typically work during school hours and also grade papers, update records and prepare lessons[33]. Many follow the traditional 10-month school year with a summer break[34]. BLS notes that helping students with disabilities can be stressful and demanding emotionally and physically[35].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 94,800 to 94,400 jobs, a change of 400[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[36]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS still expects about 6,000 openings a year on average[5]. Openings come from retirements and moves to other occupations as well as new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.1% of workers leave the labor force and 3.3% move to a different occupation[37].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is above the median for all occupations[1][4]. The job needs a bachelor's degree and, in public schools, a license[6][21]. Employment is projected to dip slightly while openings continue each year[2][5]. Pay differs a lot by state[12]. The facts do not say how long qualifying takes or what it costs.

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a middle school special education teacher make?
The median was $66,810 a year in May 2025, and the average was $73,780[1][7]. BLS publishes only annual wages for this job[8].
What degree do you need to be a middle school special education teacher?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. Public schools in all states also require a license[21].
Is middle school special education teaching in demand?
Employment is projected to decline 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% growth for all occupations, with about 6,000 openings a year[2][36][5].
What is the highest paying state for middle school special education teachers?
California had the highest median annual wage at $101,530[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in the US was $66,810 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Special Education Teachers, Middle School is projected to decline 0.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 94,800 to 94,400 jobs (a change of -400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Special Education Teachers, Middle School: 10th percentile $49,420, 25th percentile $60,000, 75th percentile $82,800, 90th percentile $102,510. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 6,000 openings for Special Education Teachers, Middle School are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Special Education Teachers, Middle School: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Special Education Teachers, Middle School was $73,780 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS publishes only annual wages for Special Education Teachers, Middle School, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. 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
  11. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 95,200 people were employed as Special Education Teachers, Middle School in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. Median annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Middle School in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Special Education Teachers, Middle School jobs: Texas 12,580; New York 7,870; Ohio 7,540; New Jersey 5,660; California 4,860. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Special Education Teachers, Middle School (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $121,070; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $110,850; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $101,560; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $100,350; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $99,190; Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $97,980; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $97,360; Salt Lake City-Murray, UT $96,210. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Special Education Teachers, Middle School jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 8,330 (median $94,740); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 5,610 (median $65,870); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 3,190 (median $77,840); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 2,780 (median $78,860); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 2,540 (median $77,050); Cleveland, OH 2,490 (median $79,890). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. O*NET 25-2057.00 survey of workers (29 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 83%, Master's Degree 15% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. O*NET 25-2057.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
  18. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Special Education Teachers" covers Special Education Teachers, Middle School together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Special Education Teachers, Middle School. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Special Education Teachers, Middle School. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET 25-2057.00 sample job titles reported by workers: ED SPED Teacher (Emotional Disabilities Special Education Teacher), Interrelated SPED Teacher (Interrelated Special Education Teacher), Learning Disabilities Teacher (LD Teacher), Learning Support Teacher, Middle School Resource Teacher, MS SPED Teacher (Middle School Special Education Teacher), Self-Contained SPED Teacher (Self-Contained Special Education Teacher), SLD Teacher (Specific Learning Disability Teacher). O*NET OnLine
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of special education teachers in 2025: Elementary and secondary schools; local 86%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Special Education Teachers, Middle School: 3.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.