Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary (2025)
Based on 260,870 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $49,350 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $59,710 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $65,120 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $80,280 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $103,010 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$49K
25th
$60K
Median
$65K
75th
$80K
90th
$103K
Highest Paying States for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,970 |
| Washington | $93,970 |
| California | $93,510 |
| New York | $91,610 |
| Massachusetts | $89,550 |
| Connecticut | $84,040 |
| Maryland | $83,370 |
| Rhode Island | $80,910 |
| New Jersey | $80,520 |
| Alaska | $80,110 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is District of Columbia at an average of $94,970 per year, while Alaska has an average of $80,110 — a difference of $14,860. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 260,870 workers were employed as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Educational Instruction and Library Occupations. The annual mean wage of $72,650 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 25-2052