Special Education Teachers (Middle School) Salary by State
The national median pay for special education teachers (middle school) is $66,810 a year. By state, it ranges from $50,370 in Missouri to $101,530 in California.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $49,420
- 25th percentile
- $60,000
- Median
- $66,810
- 75th percentile
- $82,800
- Top 10%
- $102,510
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 95,200 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $101,530 | +52% | $68,110 | $127,720 | 4,860 |
| 2 | Washington | $99,520 | +49% | $67,650 | $127,390 | 1,550 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $93,970 | +41% | $48,830 | $97,450 | 380 |
| 4 | New York | $93,820 | +40% | $59,720 | $132,490 | 7,870 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $92,900 | +39% | $61,370 | $107,660 | 1,260 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $84,550 | +27% | $60,080 | $108,440 | 3,110 |
| 7 | Alaska | $81,000 | +21% | $61,620 | $98,380 | 200 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $79,170 | +19% | $66,840 | $127,280 | 520 |
| 9 | New Jersey | $79,110 | +18% | $63,570 | $103,520 | 5,660 |
| 10 | Utah | $78,920 | +18% | $48,410 | $113,830 | 690 |
| 11 | Oregon | $78,360 | +17% | $51,470 | $98,090 | 590 |
| 12 | Delaware | $77,420 | +16% | $52,240 | $95,410 | Not published |
| 13 | Pennsylvania | $77,040 | +15% | $52,300 | $106,140 | 3,710 |
| 14 | Maryland | $76,410 | +14% | $51,100 | $122,710 | 1,540 |
| 15 | Michigan | $76,040 | +14% | $46,790 | $93,350 | 1,410 |
| 16 | Illinois | $74,730 | +12% | $49,660 | $102,200 | 4,460 |
| 17 | Ohio | $74,590 | +12% | $47,630 | $98,120 | 7,540 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $74,440 | +11% | $60,070 | $89,760 | 1,090 |
| 19 | Vermont | $73,110 | +9% | $49,040 | $99,320 | 470 |
| 20 | Georgia | $70,550 | +6% | $48,170 | $95,970 | 3,740 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $66,760 | 0% | $48,290 | $81,260 | 650 |
| 22 | Colorado | $66,130 | −1% | $50,750 | $98,620 | 2,020 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $65,840 | −1% | $47,480 | $94,660 | 2,650 |
| 24 | Montana | $63,960 | −4% | $42,050 | $80,690 | 190 |
| 25 | Virginia | $63,820 | −4% | $51,360 | $100,010 | 3,000 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $63,630 | −5% | $49,100 | $93,820 | 1,930 |
| 27 | Iowa | $63,590 | −5% | $46,490 | $90,460 | 990 |
| 28 | Nebraska | $63,460 | −5% | $46,640 | $78,990 | 680 |
| 29 | Maine | $63,440 | −5% | $47,560 | $81,550 | 310 |
| 30 | Texas | $63,360 | −5% | $50,530 | $77,720 | 12,580 |
| 31 | Nevada | $63,280 | −5% | $36,210 | $80,240 | 290 |
| 32 | Alabama | $62,850 | −6% | $34,360 | $76,730 | 460 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $62,770 | −6% | $52,190 | $79,060 | 330 |
| 34 | South Carolina | $62,310 | −7% | $48,900 | $81,280 | 980 |
| 35 | Arizona | $62,130 | −7% | $47,010 | $77,520 | 580 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $61,750 | −8% | $59,120 | $80,570 | 380 |
| 37 | Florida | $60,440 | −10% | $50,160 | $73,210 | 2,630 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $60,200 | −10% | $44,070 | $75,970 | 1,530 |
| 39 | Idaho | $60,170 | −10% | $50,190 | $76,200 | 300 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $60,000 | −10% | $48,640 | $75,490 | 1,310 |
| 41 | Kansas | $59,780 | −11% | $48,620 | $75,480 | 550 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $59,420 | −11% | $48,210 | $64,080 | 1,130 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $59,360 | −11% | $44,580 | $73,670 | 2,470 |
| 44 | Indiana | $58,900 | −12% | $46,500 | $78,160 | 1,070 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $57,680 | −14% | $47,350 | $82,930 | 200 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $56,830 | −15% | $48,840 | $66,560 | 750 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $56,440 | −16% | $45,380 | $63,710 | 1,080 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $51,360 | −23% | $46,680 | $60,120 | 310 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $50,750 | −24% | $45,830 | $62,120 | 1,020 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $50,450 | −24% | $45,400 | $73,160 | 930 |
| 51 | Missouri | $50,370 | −25% | $39,990 | $81,110 | 1,050 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Special Education Teachers (Middle School) salary questions
Which state pays special education teachers (middle school) the most?
California, with a median of $101,530 a year (+52% vs. the national median of $66,810). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays special education teachers (middle school) the least?
Missouri, with a median of $50,370 a year (−25% vs. national).
Where do most special education teachers (middle school) work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 12,580, with a median of $63,360.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.