Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 50 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in All 50 States
Compare Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $90,530 | $89,850 | $57,780 | $123,900 | 17,920 |
| Washington | $85,340 | $90,550 | $63,890 | $122,340 | 3,290 |
| Connecticut | $81,220 | $83,090 | $54,740 | $107,360 | 2,570 |
| New York | $80,750 | $90,000 | $57,380 | $132,100 | 20,500 |
| Massachusetts | $78,820 | $80,140 | $54,690 | $102,820 | 6,650 |
| Oregon | $78,320 | $81,650 | $50,020 | $127,200 | 1,730 |
| Rhode Island | $77,930 | $76,350 | $59,110 | $95,280 | 1,210 |
| Alaska | $77,220 | $77,320 | $57,220 | $94,160 | 370 |
| Illinois | $76,170 | $75,030 | $48,830 | $100,620 | 12,550 |
| New Jersey | $75,660 | $77,670 | $59,790 | $101,930 | 10,700 |
| Maryland | $75,550 | $78,380 | $56,410 | $103,950 | 3,640 |
| Michigan | $75,520 | $74,380 | $46,890 | $113,700 | 3,600 |
| Georgia | $67,710 | $70,340 | $46,760 | $98,260 | 9,700 |
| New Mexico | $66,490 | $70,530 | $56,280 | $94,160 | 1,000 |
| Virginia | $65,000 | $71,430 | $49,290 | $103,160 | 7,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,520 | $69,630 | $48,500 | $92,520 | 6,850 |
| Ohio | $64,060 | $69,380 | $45,110 | $98,530 | 10,050 |
| Wyoming | $63,520 | $66,020 | $51,160 | $77,270 | 610 |
| Colorado | $63,500 | $67,920 | $48,490 | $93,980 | 4,050 |
| Nevada | $63,340 | $69,520 | $38,430 | $104,380 | 490 |
| Minnesota | $63,320 | $66,760 | $47,190 | $90,940 | 3,850 |
| Vermont | $63,220 | $67,710 | $48,070 | $91,360 | 910 |
| New Hampshire | $62,420 | $64,070 | $45,480 | $82,680 | 980 |
| Idaho | $62,210 | $67,090 | $46,240 | $93,920 | 720 |
| Nebraska | $61,140 | $60,760 | $45,840 | $76,640 | 1,460 |
| Alabama | $61,100 | $60,250 | $48,520 | $74,030 | 660 |
| Tennessee | $61,080 | $60,000 | $48,020 | $76,160 | 4,100 |
| South Carolina | $60,530 | $60,310 | $45,760 | $77,260 | 2,580 |
| Texas | $60,270 | $60,680 | $47,890 | $73,440 | 41,010 |
| Montana | $60,200 | $60,860 | $39,100 | $81,320 | 560 |
| Maine | $59,860 | $60,090 | $42,930 | $78,720 | 890 |
| Wisconsin | $59,860 | $61,600 | $46,740 | $77,770 | 3,340 |
| Kansas | $59,060 | $59,180 | $47,910 | $75,840 | 1,590 |
| Delaware | $58,990 | $64,240 | $49,710 | $83,410 | 880 |
| Utah | $58,920 | $59,340 | $29,800 | $79,990 | 2,080 |
| Indiana | $57,910 | $58,750 | $45,710 | $77,430 | 3,710 |
| North Dakota | $57,820 | $57,790 | $44,480 | $80,230 | 720 |
| Kentucky | $57,090 | $56,100 | $41,370 | $71,250 | 3,660 |
| North Carolina | $56,330 | $55,310 | $41,140 | $72,120 | 4,640 |
| Hawaii | $55,760 | $54,680 | $46,500 | $57,090 | 500 |
| Iowa | $55,350 | $55,200 | $44,020 | $72,410 | 1,820 |
| Louisiana | $54,410 | $56,710 | $46,100 | $70,020 | 3,510 |
| Florida | $52,700 | $58,980 | $50,960 | $78,560 | 8,450 |
| Missouri | $52,140 | $56,590 | $38,830 | $77,120 | 2,240 |
| Arkansas | $51,590 | $54,390 | $45,600 | $63,980 | 1,310 |
| South Dakota | $50,380 | $52,000 | $45,770 | $61,250 | 800 |
| Arizona | $49,760 | $54,670 | $43,760 | $74,400 | 2,220 |
| West Virginia | $49,760 | $52,090 | $43,970 | $62,040 | 2,280 |
| Oklahoma | $49,030 | $54,620 | $39,110 | $81,280 | 2,180 |
| Mississippi | $48,860 | $51,420 | $44,920 | $60,320 | 2,310 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary FAQs
Which state pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools the most?
California pays the highest median salary for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools at $90,530 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: California ($90,530), Washington ($85,340), Connecticut ($81,220), New York ($80,750), Massachusetts ($78,820).
What is the average Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary nationally?
The average median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary across all 50 states is $63,644 per year. The salary ranges from $48,860 in Mississippi to $90,530 in California — a difference of $41,670.
Which state pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary Schools the least?
Mississippi has the lowest median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary at $48,860 per year. However, cost of living in Mississippi may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.