Middle School Special Education Teacher Salary in the United States

How much does a Middle School Special Education Teacher make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Middle School Special Education Teacher in the United States is $54,754 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $26.

However, a Middle School Special Education Teacher's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,355
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $46,854 to $61,873
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,662
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View as table View as graph 25% $46,854 10% $39,662 90% $68,355 75% $61,873 $54,754 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Middle School Special Education Teacher Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $61,873 $5,156 $1,190 $30
Average $54,754 $4,563 $1,053 $26
25th Percentile $46,854 $3,905 $901 $23
Check out Middle School Special Education Teacher Job Openings in the United States
Special Education Teacher

Telesis Center for Learning, Inc - LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ

Special Education Teacher (Moderate/Severe)

Morgan Autism Center - SAN JOSE, CA

Special Education Teacher

Easter Seals New York, Inc - ROCHESTER, NY

Special Education Teacher - $2,500 Sign-On Bonus ($32-$35/hr)

LearnWell - MADISON, WI

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Key Factors That Influence Middle School Special Education Teacher Salaries

A Middle School Special Education 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Middle School Special Education Teacher Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Middle School Special Education 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $51,570
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $51,812
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $54,754
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $57,685
  • Expert (over 8 years): $57,895
Levels Salary
Entry Level Middle School Special Education Teacher$51,570
Intermediate Level Middle School Special Education Teacher$51,812
Senior Level Middle School Special Education Teacher$54,754
Specialist Level Middle School Special Education Teacher$57,685
Expert Level Middle School Special Education Teacher$57,895
$51,570 0 yr
$51,812 < 2 yrs
$54,754 2-4 yrs
$57,685 5-8 yrs
$57,895 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Middle School Special Education Teacher Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Middle School Special Education Teachers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $60,623.
  • California: $60,393.
  • Massachusetts: $59,588.

Top Paying Cities for Middle School Special Education Teachers

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: $69,061
  • San Francisco: $68,382
  • Oakland: $66,865

What Skills Can Increase a Middle School Special Education Teacher's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.13% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Special Education (Mentioned in 5.55% Job Postings): Special education is the practice of educating students in a way that accommodates their individual differences, disabilities, and special needs.
  • Physical Education (Mentioned in 2.46% Job Postings): Physical education, often abbreviated to Phys Ed. or P.E., is a subject taught in schools around the world. It is usually taught during primary and secondary education, and encourages psychomotor learning.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.13%
Special Education 5.55%
Physical Education 2.46%
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 Middle School Special Education Teacher's salary.
  • Accountability: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Physical Education: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Accountability
 $58,039
6%
Collaboration
 $57,491
5%
Physical Education
 $56,396
3%
Analysis
 $55,849
2%
Coaching
 $55,849
2%
Dedication
 $55,849
2%
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How Education impacts a Middle School Special Education Teacher's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Middle School Special Education Teachers 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 Middle School Special Education Teacher with a Bachelor's Degree is between $54,827 and $60,665).

Middle School Special Education Teacher Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Middle School Special Education Teacher
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.1%
High School 2.6%
Associates 2.2%
Bachelors 45.4%
Masters 46.3%
Doctorate 3.4%
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Middle School Special Education Teacher Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Middle School Special Education 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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on January 01, 2026
$46,854
Average $54,754/year
$61,873
$3,905
Average $4,563/month
$5,156
$901
Average $1,053/week
$1,190
$23
Average $26/hour
$30
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $61,873 $5,156 $1,190 $30
Average $54,754 $4,563 $1,053 $26
25th Percentile $46,854 $3,905 $901 $23

Salaries of jobs related to Middle School Special Education Teacher

Salary Trends for Middle School Special Education Teacher

Salaries for a Middle School Special Education Teacher can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $55,251 in 2023 to around $54,034 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Middle School Special Education Teacher salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Middle School Special Education Teacher Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$55,251
2024
$54,473
2025
$54,034
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $55,251
2024 $54,473
2025 $54,034
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Middle School Special Education Teacher

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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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.)

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