Special Education Teachers, Preschool: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Illinois (2024)

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

144% career growth potential

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

Entry-Level (P10)
$40,680
$3,390/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$48,860
$4,072/mo
Senior (P90)
$99,360
$8,280/mo

Illinois vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$40,680
National: $42,722
-4.8%
Mid-Career (Median)
$48,860
National: $60,974
-19.9%
Senior (P90)
$99,360
National: $86,208
+15.3%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Illinois spans from $40,680 at entry-level to $99,360 at senior level — a difference of $58,680 per year.

P10
$40K
P25
$44K
Median
$48K
P75
$68K
P90
$99K

Career Growth Premium: +144%

Senior Special Education Teachers, Preschools in Illinois earn $58,680 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$58,680
Monthly Difference
+$4,890
Hourly Difference
+$28.21
Growth Multiple
2.4x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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 $40,680 $3,390 $19.56
Early Career P25 $44,410 $3,701 $21.35
Mid-Career Median $48,860 $4,072 $23.49
Experienced P75 $68,570 $5,714 $32.97
Senior / Expert P90 $99,360 $8,280 $47.77
Key Insight

Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Illinois shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $40,680, while senior-level professionals earn $99,360 — a 144% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($48,860) and experienced level ($68,570), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

How Illinois Compares to Other States

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

1
$156,830
Entry: $58K
+169%
2
$133,120
Entry: $60K
+119%
3
$127,470
Entry: $56K
+126%
4
$122,460
Entry: $48K
+152%
5
$115,540
Entry: $57K
+99%
6
$109,670
Entry: $48K
+125%
7
$106,430
Entry: $30K
+248%
8
$105,140
Entry: $41K
+151%
9
$103,370
Entry: $28K
+264%
10
$100,620
Entry: $46K
+114%

Ready to Advance Your Special Education Teachers, Preschool Career?

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool?

Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Preschools (10th percentile) earn approximately $40,680 per year, or $3,390 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $44,410. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Special Education Teachers, Preschool make?

Senior Special Education Teachers, Preschools (90th percentile) earn approximately $99,360 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $68,570. This represents a career premium of 144% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Special Education Teachers, Preschool?

The career salary growth potential for Special Education Teachers, Preschools is 144%. Entry-level professionals start at $40,680, while senior-level can earn up to $99,360 — a difference of $58,680 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Special Education Teachers, Preschools?

The highest-paying state for senior Special Education Teachers, Preschools is Illinois, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $99,360 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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

Explore More in Illinois

Related Analysis
Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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 Illinois Career Progression Hourly Wages Employment Outlook