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College Associate Professor - Special Education Salary in the United States

How much does a College Associate Professor - Special Education make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a College Associate Professor - Special Education in the United States is $83,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.

However, a College Associate Professor - Special Education's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $106,607
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $74,200 to $95,500
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $65,915
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View as table View as graph 25% $74,200 10% $65,915 90% $106,607 75% $95,500 $83,300 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

College Associate Professor - Special Education Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $95,500 $7,958 $1,837 $46
Average $83,300 $6,942 $1,602 $40
25th Percentile $74,200 $6,183 $1,427 $36
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Key Factors That Influence College Associate Professor - Special Education Salaries

A College Associate Professor - Special Education's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects College Associate Professor - Special Education Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a College Associate Professor - Special Education's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • College Instructor - Special Education (0-0 years): $59,866
  • College Assistant Professor - Special Education (0-0 years): $68,133
  • College Associate Professor - Special Education (0-0 years): $83,209
  • College Professor - Special Education (0-0 years): $106,143
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
College Instructor - Special Education0-0 years$59,866
College Assistant Professor - Special Education0-0 years$68,133
College Associate Professor - Special Education0-0 years$83,209
College Professor - Special Education0-0 years$106,143
$59,866 College I...
$68,133 College A...
$83,209 College A...
$106,143 College P...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for College Associate Professor - Special Educations

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $105,000
  • San Francisco: $104,000
  • Oakland: $101,700

What Skills Can Increase a College Associate Professor - Special Education's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Collaboration (Mentioned in 6.32% Job Postings): Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 1.35% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 6.32%
First Aid 2.26%
CPR 1.35%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a College Associate Professor - Special Education's salary.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 38%.
  • Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 37%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 33%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Partnering
$114,954
38%
Analysis
$114,121
37%
Patient Care
$110,789
33%
Google Drive
$109,956
32%
Organizing
$105,791
27%
Collaboration
$105,791
27%
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How Education impacts a College Associate Professor - Special Education's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many College Associate Professor - Special Educations enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a College Associate Professor - Special Education with a Bachelor's Degree is between $76,843 and $85,382).

College Associate Professor - Special Education Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for College Associate Professor - Special Education
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.3%
High School 5.3%
Associates 5.3%
Bachelors 10.5%
Masters 42.1%
Doctorate 36.8%
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College Associate Professor - Special Education Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a College Associate Professor - Special Education's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

College Associate Professor - Special Education Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a College Associate Professor - Special Education, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

College Associate Professor - Special Education Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
College Professor - Architecture $116,000 39%
College Professor - Biology $101,500 22%
College Professor - Chemical Engineering $140,600 69%
College Professor - Civil Engineering $140,200 68%

Salary Trends for College Associate Professor - Special Education

Salaries for a College Associate Professor - Special Education can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,867 in 2023 to around $53,962 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of College Associate Professor - Special Education salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of College Associate Professor - Special Education Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,867
2024
$55,153
2025
$53,962
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,867
2024 $55,153
2025 $53,962
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for College Associate Professor - Special Education

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for College Associate Professor - Special Education

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current College Associate Professor - Special Education job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about College Associate Professor - Special Education

1. Do you need a PhD to be a Professor?

To become a College Associate Professor in Special Education, a PhD is typically required, especially at four-year institutions. While some two-year schools may accept instructors with a master's degree, most four-year colleges expect a doctorate. Salaries for this position range from $70,200 to $106,800, with a median salary of $82,600.

2. Do college professors get paid more than high school teachers?

College professors generally earn more than high school teachers. For example, an Associate Professor in Special Education has a salary range from $70,200 to $106,800, with a mid-salary of $82,600. Salaries can vary based on factors like field of study, rank, and the type of institution.

3. Is associate professor a high rank?

Yes, an associate professor is considered a high rank in academia. It is a mid-level, often tenured position that typically follows the assistant professor role. Salaries for associate professors in special education range from $70,200 to $106,800, with a median salary of $82,600, reflecting the importance and expertise required for this role.

4. What is the difference between a full time professor and an associate professor?

Full professors have achieved a higher level of recognition for their teaching, research, and service, while associate professors are typically in a transitional phase, working towards that goal. In terms of salary, associate professors in Special Education earn between $70,200 and $106,800, with a median salary of $82,600.

5. What is the highest salary of an associate professor?

The highest salary that an Associate Professor in Special Education can earn is $106,800 per year.

6. How much do American College of Education professors make?

American College of Education professors, specifically in the role of Associate Professor - Special Education, can expect salaries ranging from $70,200 to $106,800, with a median salary of $82,600. This reflects the competitive compensation for faculty in this field, aligning with industry standards for higher education professionals.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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