Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Special Needs Teacher in New Jersey is $55,635 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.
However, a Special Needs Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered HR
Special Needs Teacher Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $62,907 | $5,242 | $1,210 | $30 |
| Average | $55,635 | $4,636 | $1,070 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,226 | $3,852 | $889 | $22 |
BrainStorm Tutoring, LLC - Franklin Lakes, NJ
Kindly Direct Care - Freehold, NJ
Monroe Township School District - Williamstown, NJ
Autism Movement Project - Red Bank, NJ
A Special Needs Teacher'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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Special Needs Teacher'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Special Needs Teacher | $54,720 |
| Intermediate Level Special Needs Teacher | $55,374 |
| Senior Level Special Needs Teacher | $58,137 |
| Specialist Level Special Needs Teacher | $60,306 |
| Expert Level Special Needs Teacher | $60,848 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Special Needs Teachers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Special Needs Teacher roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Special Needs Teacher positions in Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Special Needs Teacher as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $72,325 | $35.0 | 30% |
Understanding how a Special Needs Teacher'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $62,907 | $5,242 | $1,210 | $30 |
| Average | $55,635 | $4,636 | $1,070 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,226 | $3,852 | $889 | $22 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Special Needs Teacher job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Mass Transportation Services LLC
East Orange, NJ
Mass Transportation Services LLC | East Orange, NJ
Job Description. Job Description. We are looking for immediate HIRE school bus drivers for our growing company. If you are tired of the hassle of no consis... more
4 Days Ago
THE FUTURE YEARS INC
Boonton, NJ
THE FUTURE YEARS INC | Boonton, NJ
Job Description. Job Description. We’re currently hiring a. Direct Support Professional (DSP). to support an individual who lives in. Boonton, NJ. They are... more
5 Days Ago
BelovED Community & Empowerment Academy Charter Schools
Jersey City, NJ
BelovED Community & Empowerment Academy Charter Schools | Jersey City, NJ
Job Description. Job Description. Empowerment Academy Charter School is hiring Special Education teachers to join our growing High School next year. The ro... more
4 Days Ago
Bright Harbor Healthcare
Bayville, NJ
Bright Harbor Healthcare | Bayville, NJ
Job Description. Job Description. Ocean Academy a private special education school located in Bayville, Ocean County, NJ seeks a Math Teacher. Duties inclu... more
4 Days Ago
ATC Travelers A
Plainfield, NJ
ATC Travelers A | Plainfield, NJ
Job Description. Job Description. We are seeking a dedicated and adaptable Special Education Teacher to provide tailored instruction and support to student... more
4 Days Ago
Uncommon Schools
Riverside, NJ
Uncommon Schools | Riverside, NJ
Company DescriptionUncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education i... more
6 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
