Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
BLS OES May 2025 · SOC 25-2052As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
US Salary Overview
The national median wage for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the United States is $65,120 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025). Around 261,000 people are employed in this occupation nationally. UK data is not available for this occupation — the UK's SOC 2020 classification has no direct equivalent. Signing an offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,350 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $59,710 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $65,120 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $80,280 | Experienced |
| 90th | $103,010 | Senior / highest decile |
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| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 | $94,970 | 1,000 |
| California | $97,170 | $93,510 | 23,000 |
| Washington | $95,040 | $93,970 | 3,000 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 | $89,550 | 7,000 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 | $80,910 | 1,000 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 | $84,040 | 3,000 |
| New York | $81,260 | $91,610 | 21,000 |
| Alaska | $80,230 | $80,110 | 320 |
| Maryland | $78,850 | $83,370 | 3,000 |
| Illinois | $77,960 | $77,170 | 14,000 |
| Oregon | $77,700 | $78,310 | 2,000 |
| New Jersey | $76,660 | $80,520 | 12,000 |
| New Mexico | $76,420 | $74,740 | 880 |
| Michigan | $74,600 | $75,380 | 4,000 |
| Colorado | $74,290 | $73,510 | 4,000 |
| Vermont | $74,200 | $72,160 | 770 |
| Ohio | $73,970 | $71,630 | 10,000 |
| Georgia | $72,880 | $72,090 | 9,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $72,680 | $72,340 | 8,000 |
| Virginia | $67,740 | $72,890 | 7,000 |
| Minnesota | $67,620 | $70,350 | 4,000 |
| Delaware | $65,990 | $70,000 | 1,000 |
| New Hampshire | $65,160 | $66,620 | 1,000 |
| Nevada | $65,110 | $67,760 | 430 |
| Alabama | $64,520 | $65,270 | 870 |
| Idaho | $63,610 | $66,070 | 620 |
| Tennessee | $62,560 | $63,380 | 4,000 |
| Nebraska | $62,420 | $65,160 | 2,000 |
| South Carolina | $62,360 | $64,750 | 3,000 |
| Texas | $62,330 | $63,310 | 57,000 |
| Maine | $61,880 | $64,220 | 1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $61,520 | $64,400 | 4,000 |
| Utah | $61,290 | $65,210 | 2,000 |
| Hawaii | $60,940 | $68,060 | 1,000 |
| Wyoming | $60,930 | $64,310 | 650 |
| Iowa | $60,440 | $59,940 | 3,000 |
| Kentucky | $60,060 | $58,580 | 4,000 |
| Kansas | $59,970 | $60,550 | 2,000 |
| Florida | $58,850 | $60,600 | 9,000 |
| Louisiana | $58,800 | $58,260 | 4,000 |
| Indiana | $58,760 | $59,860 | 4,000 |
| North Carolina | $58,260 | $57,160 | 4,000 |
| Puerto Rico | $58,220 | $57,200 | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | $57,950 | $57,450 | 590 |
| Montana | $57,630 | $59,320 | 560 |
| Missouri | $57,260 | $59,660 | 3,000 |
| Arizona | $56,030 | $57,470 | 2,000 |
| Arkansas | $54,290 | $56,160 | 1,000 |
| South Dakota | $51,090 | $53,530 | 790 |
| Oklahoma | $50,630 | $55,380 | 2,000 |
| Mississippi | $50,570 | $53,290 | 3,000 |
| West Virginia | $50,380 | $52,870 | 2,000 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the US?
The US national median wage for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school is $65,120 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the US?
Pay ranges from $49,350 at the 10th percentile to $103,010 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school the most?
The highest-paying states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school include District of Columbia ($97,910), California ($97,170), Washington ($95,040). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — District of Columbia ($97,910) pays roughly 94% more than West Virginia ($50,380). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · Page built 2026-09-02