What Special Education Teachers, Secondary School do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Special Education Teachers, Secondary School this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations"; "Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement"; "Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities"; "Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students"; "Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development".
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, Secondary School
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 164,800 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 164,500 in 2035, a decrease of 300 jobs (-0.2%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 10,400 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 $74,260, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn the most
Across the 4 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $74,841 in Indiana to $93,517 in New Jersey, a gap of $18,676 (1.25 times). 4 of those 4 states average above the BLS national median of $74,260 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 22,130, which is 33.8% of the 65,410 counted across them. New York follows with 20,860.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($93,517), New York ($92,962) and Illinois ($76,380) lead the ranking, while Indiana ($74,841) and Illinois ($76,380) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School: pay against the cost of living
We compare 4 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $43,671. The smallest margin is $33,341 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 4 of the 4 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 22.0% and 44.1% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Special Education Teachers, Middle 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, Secondary School
What is the national median wage for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $74,260. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $74,841 to $93,517.
Which state pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $93,517. New York is next at $92,962.
What is the job outlook for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
BLS projects employment to shrink by 0.2% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 10,400 openings a year.
What education do Special Education Teachers, Secondary School need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, according to BLS.
Where can Special Education Teachers, Secondary School afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $43,671 on a median wage of $100,430.