As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Special Educator in the United States is $52,963 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $25.
However, a Special Educator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Special Educator'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Special Educator'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 Educator | $50,933 |
| Intermediate Level Special Educator | $51,530 |
| Senior Level Special Educator | $54,077 |
| Specialist Level Special Educator | $56,146 |
| Expert Level Special Educator | $56,663 |
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 Educators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Analysis | 8.08% |
| Child Development | 1.83% |
| Early Childhood Education | 1.59% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
LMS
|
$57,730 |
9%
|
|
Applied Behavior Analysis
|
$55,611 |
5%
|
|
Goal Oriented
|
$55,082 |
4%
|
|
Analysis
|
$55,082 |
4%
|
|
Coaching
|
$54,552 |
3%
|
|
Initiative
|
$54,022 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Special Educators 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 Special Educator with a Bachelor's Degree is between $58,261 and $66,637).
Special Educator Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.1% |
| High School | 2.3% |
| Associates | 3.8% |
| Bachelors | 28.2% |
| Masters | 63.4% |
| Doctorate | 1.1% |
Understanding how a Special Educator'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, 2026Salaries for a Special Educator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $54,488 in 2023 to around $53,287 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Special Educator salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $54,488 |
| 2024 | $53,720 |
| 2025 | $53,287 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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