Special Education Teacher: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Special Education Teachers earn a national median of $67,430/yr with 1.1% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Education and Training, Psychology, English Language.

Median Salary

$67,430

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

1.1%

Slower than average

Employed Nationally

39,350

2024 data

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Special Education Teacher

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Special Education Teacher candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Instructing 2 Active Listening 3 Speaking 4 Active Learning 5 Social Perceptiveness 6 Reading Comprehension 7 Writing 8 Critical Thinking 9 Learning Strategies 10 Monitoring

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Special Education Teacher performance, based on verified occupational data.

Education and Training Psychology English Language Therapy and Counseling Customer and Personal Service

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 1.1% for Special Education Teacher roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's slower than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
39,350
Projected Growth
1.1%
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Special Education Teacher do?
Special Education Teachers apply expertise in Education and Training, Psychology, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Instructing, Active Listening, Speaking, Active Learning.
How much does a Special Education Teacher make?
The national median salary for a Special Education Teacher is $67,430 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Special Education Teacher a good career in 2026?
Employment for Special Education Teacher roles is projected to grow 1.1% over the 2024–2034 decade — slower than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 39,350 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Special Education Teacher?
The typical entry-level education for a Special Education Teacher is Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Special Education Teachers need?
The most important skills for Special Education Teacher roles based on verified occupational data: Instructing, Active Listening, Speaking, Active Learning, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Critical Thinking, Learning Strategies, Monitoring.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.