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Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in Iowa

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Special Education Teachers, Secondary School make in Iowa?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$60,780
Median Annual Salary
▲ +3.4% vs 2024
$63,800
Mean Salary
$60,780
Median Salary
$29.22
Hourly Rate
1,570 people work as Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary by percentile in Iowa

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Iowa — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa.10thBottom 10% earn less than $46,840$46,84025th25% earn less than $51,430$51,430MedianHalf earn more than $60,780$60,78075th75% earn less than $75,600$75,60090thTop 10% earn more than $81,570$81,570

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa earn a median salary of $60,780 per year ($5,065/month). This is 13.5% below the national average of $70,272. Iowa ranks #40 out of 51 states for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School pay. Approximately 1,570 people work in this occupation across Iowa. Salaries increased by 3.4% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

Top Skills

Learning Strategies
4.12
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Writing
4.0
Speaking
4.0

Key Knowledge Areas

English Language
4.62
Education and Training
4.5
Computers and Electronics
3.97
Mathematics
3.89
Customer and Personal Service
3.8
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree (65.1% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa

Salaries for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa range from $46,840 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $81,570 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $51,430 and $75,600.

Median $60,780
P10: $46,840 P25: $51,430 P75: $75,600 P90: $81,570
10th
$46,840
25th
$51,430
Median
$60,780
75th
$75,600
90th
$81,570
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $46,840 $22.52 $3,903
25th Percentile $51,430 $24.73 $4,285
Median (50th) $60,780 $29.22 $5,065
75th Percentile $75,600 $36.35 $6,300
90th Percentile (Experienced) $81,570 $39.22 $6,797

Note: The mean (average) salary of $63,800 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#40
Iowa ranks #40 of 51 states
$70,272
National avg. for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
-13.5%
vs. national average
Below Average

What does this salary really buy? See Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Iowa adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Special Education Teachers, Secondary School take-home pay in Iowa after taxes →

Explore Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Data in Iowa

After-Tax Take-Home Pay Hourly Wage Breakdown Cost-of-Living Adjusted Entry-Level vs Senior Salary Employment Outlook & Job Demand

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary by State

Compare Special Education Teachers, Secondary School pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

Washington $101,120 California $101,060 District of Columbia $99,670 Maryland $93,530 Rhode Island $92,990 New York $89,310 Massachusetts $83,890 New Jersey $83,770 Connecticut $81,710 Alaska $80,580

View all 50 states →

Related Careers in Iowa

Explore similar occupations and their salaries in Iowa.

Teaching Assistants, Except PostsecondarySimilar $30,510 Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationSimilar $33,830 Self-Enrichment TeachersSimilar $35,670 TutorsSimilar $36,790 Substitute Teachers, Short-TermSimilar $37,230 Library TechniciansSimilar $38,590 Teaching Assistants, PostsecondarySimilar $38,960 Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language InstructorsSimilar $48,010 Farm and Home Management EducatorsSimilar $48,200 Museum Technicians and ConservatorsSimilar $51,740

View all jobs in Iowa →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Special Education Teachers, Secondary School make in Iowa?
The median annual salary for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa is $60,780 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $63,800.
What is the salary range for a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa?
Salaries for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa range from $46,840 at the 10th percentile to $81,570 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $51,430 and $75,600.
What is the starting salary for a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa?
Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Secondary School positions in Iowa typically start around $46,840 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $51,430 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 1,570 people are employed as Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa.
What is the hourly rate for a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa is approximately $29.22 per hour.

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More About Iowa

Salary Data
All Salaries in Iowa Average Salary in Iowa Highest Paying Jobs in Iowa
Salary Thresholds
Jobs Over $100K in Iowa $100K+ Jobs Without a Degree in Iowa
Top Cities in Iowa
Des Moines Cedar Rapids Davenport Sioux City
Top Colleges in Iowa
Allen College Briar Cliff University Buena Vista University Capri College-Dubuque

Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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