Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Employment & Job Outlook in California (2024)

California employs 19,870 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
19,870
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
19.87
workers
Location Quotient
4.76
vs national avg
Average Salary
$89K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 4.76 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
19,870
National: 212,820
9.3% of national
Jobs per 1,000
19.87
National: 4.17
+376.5%
Average Salary
$89K
National: $66K
+35.2%

Top States by Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Employment

#1
23,990
23,990
employed
#2
19,870
19,870
employed
#3
18,740
18,740
employed
#4
12,560
12,560
employed
#5
11,300
11,300
employed
#6
10,750
10,750
employed
#7
9,430
9,430
employed
#8
8,390
8,390
employed
#9
6,880
6,880
employed
#10
6,130
6,130
employed

What Does a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California is $89,560. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 19,870 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School jobs (LQ: 4.76). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California?

The average (mean) salary for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California is $89560/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School professionals?

The top state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School employment is Texas with 23,990 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School (SOC 252052) in California.

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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary After-Tax Take-Home Pay Cost of Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Hourly Wage Employment Outlook
Rankings
Highest Paying Jobs Jobs Over $100K Average Salary All Jobs in California Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook