Special Education Teachers (Preschool) Salary by State
The national median pay for special education teachers (preschool) is $64,830 a year. By state, it ranges from $35,580 in Arkansas to $99,070 in Massachusetts.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $45,620
- 25th percentile
- $52,210
- Median
- $64,830
- 75th percentile
- $91,660
- Top 10%
- $130,040
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 29,510 jobs.
Median pay in 45 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $99,070 | +53% | $62,400 | $126,340 | 710 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $92,060 | +42% | $61,880 | $138,050 | 1,720 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $87,960 | +36% | $58,140 | $116,380 | 380 |
| 4 | Washington | $86,580 | +34% | $65,240 | $125,040 | 820 |
| 5 | Maryland | $85,010 | +31% | $70,730 | $106,080 | 70 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $83,510 | +29% | $49,510 | $121,750 | 490 |
| 7 | Alaska | $80,390 | +24% | $51,760 | $98,240 | 110 |
| 8 | Vermont | $79,000 | +22% | $66,350 | $89,860 | 70 |
| 9 | Colorado | $78,040 | +20% | $54,200 | $102,630 | 810 |
| 10 | Virginia | $77,570 | +20% | $50,350 | $122,530 | 650 |
| 11 | Oregon | $77,490 | +20% | $61,830 | $95,460 | 400 |
| 12 | Minnesota | $75,880 | +17% | $43,020 | $101,100 | 1,250 |
| 13 | Michigan | $75,860 | +17% | $47,050 | $103,290 | 430 |
| 14 | Hawaii | $75,120 | +16% | $58,170 | $95,300 | 230 |
| 15 | Georgia | $72,310 | +12% | $49,650 | $98,450 | 380 |
| 16 | New York | $68,180 | +5% | $45,760 | $170,200 | 6,220 |
| 17 | New Mexico | $66,010 | +2% | $35,560 | $82,520 | 270 |
| 18 | Texas | $65,680 | +1% | $39,090 | $94,410 | 2,010 |
| 19 | Iowa | $63,540 | −2% | $36,250 | $72,980 | Not published |
| 20 | Nebraska | $62,760 | −3% | $36,690 | $82,010 | 80 |
| 21 | Illinois | $62,580 | −3% | $42,320 | $100,460 | 1,080 |
| 22 | Missouri | $62,250 | −4% | $35,960 | $119,570 | 940 |
| 23 | New Hampshire | $61,720 | −5% | $49,430 | $84,270 | 80 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | $60,870 | −6% | $46,580 | $82,200 | 240 |
| 25 | Ohio | $60,700 | −6% | $45,630 | $101,580 | 1,150 |
| 26 | Maine | $60,680 | −6% | $48,050 | $74,870 | 40 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $60,180 | −7% | $42,300 | $73,780 | 640 |
| 28 | Arizona | $60,130 | −7% | $45,920 | $80,680 | 330 |
| 29 | North Dakota | $60,060 | −7% | $50,160 | $81,240 | 50 |
| 30 | South Carolina | $59,800 | −8% | $30,580 | $79,190 | 170 |
| 31 | California | $59,550 | −8% | $38,050 | $117,700 | 2,510 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $59,550 | −8% | $44,210 | $77,900 | 330 |
| 33 | Rhode Island | $59,310 | −9% | $34,750 | $97,740 | 120 |
| 34 | Delaware | $59,250 | −9% | $46,600 | $63,430 | 100 |
| 35 | Kansas | $59,220 | −9% | $47,510 | $75,380 | 350 |
| 36 | Florida | $58,240 | −10% | $50,100 | $78,340 | 1,370 |
| 37 | Utah | $58,230 | −10% | $50,630 | $93,410 | 110 |
| 38 | Louisiana | $56,890 | −12% | $37,750 | $61,200 | 960 |
| 39 | Kentucky | $54,220 | −16% | $35,690 | $64,000 | Not published |
| 40 | Mississippi | $52,420 | −19% | $48,660 | $62,710 | 110 |
| 41 | Wyoming | $52,100 | −20% | $45,300 | $61,980 | 80 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $49,720 | −23% | $40,000 | $58,020 | 60 |
| 43 | Idaho | $49,610 | −23% | $31,720 | $89,540 | 180 |
| 44 | Indiana | $48,680 | −25% | $35,620 | $76,530 | 380 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $35,580 | −45% | $27,800 | $53,990 | 510 |
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 (Preschool) salary questions
Which state pays special education teachers (preschool) the most?
Massachusetts, with a median of $99,070 a year (+53% vs. the national median of $64,830). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays special education teachers (preschool) the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $35,580 a year (−45% vs. national).
Where do most special education teachers (preschool) work?
New York has the most jobs, about 6,220, with a median of $68,180.
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.