Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Illinois (2024)

How does Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary grow from entry-level to senior in Illinois? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

105% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Illinois salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$49,890
$4,158/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$76,840
$6,403/mo
Senior (P90)
$102,460
$8,538/mo

Illinois vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$49,890
National: $46,739
+6.7%
Mid-Career (Median)
$76,840
National: $64,432
+19.3%
Senior (P90)
$102,460
National: $87,841
+16.6%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Illinois spans from $49,890 at entry-level to $102,460 at senior level — a difference of $52,570 per year.

P10
$49K
P25
$60K
Median
$76K
P75
$95K
P90
$102K

Career Growth Premium: +105%

Senior Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools in Illinois earn $52,570 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$52,570
Monthly Difference
+$4,381
Hourly Difference
+$25.27
Growth Multiple
2.1x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary increases with experience in Illinois, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $49,890 $4,158 $23.99
Early Career P25 $60,320 $5,027 $29.00
Mid-Career Median $76,840 $6,403 $36.94
Experienced P75 $95,280 $7,940 $45.81
Senior / Expert P90 $102,460 $8,538 $49.26
Key Insight

Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Illinois has a moderate salary progression with a 105% growth from entry-level ($49,890) to senior ($102,460). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($76,840) and P90 ($102,460) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Illinois Compares to Other States

Where does Illinois rank for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School senior-level salaries? Compare Illinois's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$135,600
Entry: $58K
+133%
2
$134,130
Entry: $55K
+142%
3
$124,210
Entry: $56K
+121%
4
$118,020
Entry: $47K
+149%
5
$117,100
Entry: $64K
+82%
6
$110,140
Entry: $52K
+111%
7
$109,800
Entry: $55K
+99%
8
$105,290
Entry: $46K
+127%
9
$104,480
Entry: $60K
+73%
10
$103,360
Entry: $48K
+113%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?

Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools (10th percentile) earn approximately $49,890 per year, or $4,157 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $60,320. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make?

Senior Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools (90th percentile) earn approximately $102,460 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $95,280. This represents a career premium of 105% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?

The career salary growth potential for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools is 105%. Entry-level professionals start at $49,890, while senior-level can earn up to $102,460 — a difference of $52,570 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools?

The highest-paying state for senior Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $102,460 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Illinois from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Illinois.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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