What Special Education Teachers, Middle School do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Special Education Teachers, Middle School this way: "Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle 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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students"; "Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations"; "Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities"; "Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, and professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development"; "Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree.
Job outlook for Special Education Teachers, Middle School
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 94,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 94,400 in 2035, a decrease of 400 jobs (-0.4%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 6,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 6.3% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $66,810, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Special Education Teachers, Middle School earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $89,427 in New York to $89,928 in New Jersey, a gap of $502 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $66,810 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 12,000, which is 50.7% of the 23,680 counted across them. New York follows with 11,680.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($89,928) and New York ($89,427) lead the ranking, while New York ($89,427) and New Jersey ($89,928) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Special Education Teachers, Middle School
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (25-2000) include Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education, Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education and Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education.
Frequently asked questions about Special Education Teachers, Middle School
How much do Special Education Teachers, Middle School earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $66,810. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $89,427 to $89,928.
Which state pays Special Education Teachers, Middle School the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $89,928. New York is next at $89,427.
Is Special Education Teachers, Middle School a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 0.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 6,000 openings a year.
What education do Special Education Teachers, Middle School need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.