Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary
The median special education teachers, preschool salary in the United States is $64,830 per year. Salaries range from $45,620 at the entry level to $130,040+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 29,510 special education teachers, preschool jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to grow 1.4% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$64,830
per year
Employment
29,510
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$45,620
25th percentile
$52,210
Median
$64,830
75th percentile
$91,660
90th percentile
$130,040
Job Growth (2024-2034)
+1.4%
Slower than average
Annual Openings
2,100
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$36K$99K■ No data
Top Paying States
Massachusetts
$99K
+53%
New Jersey
$92K
+42%
Connecticut
$88K
+36%
Washington
$87K
+34%
Maryland
$85K
+31%
Pennsylvania
$84K
+29%
Alaska
$80K
+24%
Vermont
$79K
+22%
Colorado
$78K
+20%
Virginia
$78K
+20%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $99,070 | +52.8% |
| New Jersey | $92,060 | +42.0% |
| Connecticut | $87,960 | +35.7% |
| Washington | $86,580 | +33.5% |
| Maryland | $85,010 | +31.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $83,510 | +28.8% |
| Alaska | $80,390 | +24.0% |
| Vermont | $79,000 | +21.9% |
| Colorado | $78,040 | +20.4% |
| Virginia | $77,570 | +19.7% |
Showing 1–10 of 45
Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $119,560 | +84.4% |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $117,200 | +80.8% |
| Akron, OH | $100,650 | +55.3% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $99,440 | +53.4% |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $94,240 | +45.4% |
| Fresno, CA | $93,800 | +44.7% |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $92,660 | +42.9% |
| New Haven, CT | $90,440 | +39.5% |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $89,180 | +37.6% |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $86,120 | +32.8% |
Showing 1–10 of 97
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A special education teachers, preschool earning $64,830/year would need 919 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 987 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how special education teachers, preschool salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary trend (2011–2024) →