Special Education Teachers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$64,830
- 25th Percentile — Junior$82,090
- 50th Percentile — Median$103,050
- 75th Percentile — Senior$120,860
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$126,210
Half of Special Education Teachers in California earn more than $103,050. The top 10% make $126,210 or more, while entry-level workers start around $64,830.
Special Education Teachers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 1st of 42 states for Special Education Teachers pay, at $101,160 per year (26.8% above the U.S. average of $79,750).
- 8,920 people work as Special Education Teachers in California — 26.3% of all U.S. Special Education Teachers jobs.
- Location quotient 2.24: Special Education Teachers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $64,830; the top 10% earn over $126,210.
- Hourly equivalent: $48.63 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- Among education jobs in California, Chemistry Professors pays the most ($154,490).
Special Education Teachers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Special Education Teachers here earn $101,160 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $101,160 is roughly equivalent to $71,239 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($94,040), Oregon ($86,380), Delaware ($84,030) are the closest alternatives for Special Education Teachers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Education Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chemistry Professors $154,490/yr California +52.7% vs this role
- Biological Science Professors $146,810/yr California +45.1% vs this role
- Mathematical Science Professors $141,340/yr California +39.7% vs this role
- Business Professors $140,670/yr California +39.1% vs this role
- Computer Science Professors $137,170/yr California +35.6% vs this role
- English Language Professors $134,950/yr California +33.4% vs this role
- Education Professors $113,870/yr California +12.6% vs this role
- Secondary School Teachers $105,880/yr California +4.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Special Education Teachers salary in California?
The average Special Education Teachers salary in California is $101,160 per year (median $103,050), which is 26.8% above the national average of $79,750.
How does California rank for Special Education Teachers pay?
California ranks 1st out of 42 states. The highest-paying state is California ($101,160/yr).
How much do entry-level Special Education Teachers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Special Education Teachers in California earn about $64,830 per year and the 25th percentile is $82,090.
How much do Special Education Teachers make per hour in California?
About $48.63 per hour, based on the $101,160 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Special Education Teachers work in California?
BLS counts 8,920 Special Education Teachers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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