Special Education Teachers
Overview
Introduction
Special education teachers teach students ages three to 21 who have a variety of disabilities. They design individualized education plans and work with students one-on-one to help them learn academic subjects and life skills. Approximately 490,780 special education teachers are employed in the United States, mostly in public schools.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
In May 2019, the median annual salary for special education teachers working in preschools was $60,000, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Special education teachers working in kindergarten and elementary schools earned an average salary of $60,460. Those working in middle schools had median annual earnings of $61,440, and those in secondary schools earned $61,710. The lowest paid 10 pe...
Work Environment
Special education teachers usually work from 7:30 or 8:00 A.M. to 3:00 or 3:30 P.M. Like most teachers, however, they typically spend several hours in the evening grading papers, completing paperwork, or preparing lessons for the next day. Altogether, most special education teachers work more than the standard 40 hours per week.
Although some schools offer y...
Outlook
The field of special education is expected to grow by 3 percent through 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), or more slowly than the average for all careers. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way teachers work, with many, including those in special education, teaching online classes from their homes until schools are safe to reopen. The long-term effect of the pandemic ...