Compensation
Median Pay
$65,120
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$65,120
Projected Growth
-1.8%
Annual Openings
15,400
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
230,200
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
-1.8%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
15,400
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Bachelor's degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Interpersonal
94 / 100
94%
Speaking & listening
91 / 100
91%
Adaptability
90 / 100
90%
Leadership
90 / 100
90%
Creativity & innovation
87 / 100
87%
Computers & information technology
83 / 100
83%
Project management
83 / 100
83%
Writing & reading
83 / 100
83%
Mathematics
81 / 100
81%
Science
73 / 100
73%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
PRO
Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school a Good Career?
Special education teachers at the kindergarten and elementary levels work in a field that combines education, communication, and adaptability. Nationally, this occupation has about 230,000 workers, indicating a sizable professional community. The typical entry point is a bachelor’s degree, so it is accessible to those prepared to complete an undergraduate program. While projected employment growth is -1.8%, there are still an estimated 15,000 annual openings, showing ongoing turnover and hiring activity. Strong interpersonal, speaking and listening, and adaptability skills are central to success, supported by leadership, creativity, and use of computers and information technology. Writing and reading, along with mathematics and science, round out the core competencies. People interested in related work might also consider roles such as special education teachers at the secondary level, or other K–12 teaching positions listed as similar occupations. Overall, this career offers a defined educational pathway, a substantial workforce, and continuing job opportunities despite modest negative growth projections.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, earn a national median annual salary of $63,000. Pay varies notably by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $74,290 in Colorado up to $97,170 in California. Massachusetts and Washington also show high median pay, at $91,350 and $95,040 respectively, while New York stands at $81,260. Metro area data highlights even higher salaries in certain locations. For example, San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA reports a median of $105,290, and San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA reports $98,640. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro shows $91,610, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton offers $97,410. These figures suggest that earnings can be substantially higher in specific states and metro areas compared with the national median, so geographic choice is a key factor in potential compensation.
Job Outlook for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
This occupation currently employs about 230,000 special education teachers at the kindergarten and elementary levels nationwide. Projected employment growth is -1.8%, indicating a slight expected decline over the projection period. However, there are still an estimated 15,000 annual openings. This combination suggests that while total employment is projected to edge downward, there will continue to be regular hiring needs. The consistent annual openings are important for students and career changers to consider, as they point to ongoing opportunities even in the context of negative growth. The uniform -1.8% growth rate shown across highlighted states and metro areas also indicates that the overall trend is similar in many regions. People exploring this field should weigh the steady flow of openings against the modestly declining employment projection when planning long-term career moves or geographic relocation.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Location makes a substantial difference for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, both in pay and in CareerGPS opportunity scores. Among states, California stands out with a median salary of $97,170, employment of 23,280, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York follow closely with opportunity scores just above 65 and median salaries of $91,350 and $81,260. Colorado and Washington also appear among the top states, with median pay of $74,290 and $95,040 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ show the highest opportunity scores, both above 77, with median salaries of $98,640 and $91,610. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA offers the highest listed metro median salary at $105,290. Washington–Arlington–Alexandria and Boston–Cambridge–Newton also provide strong combinations of salary and opportunity score, giving candidates multiple high-opportunity urban regions to consider.
Education for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
The typical education requirement for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, is a bachelor’s degree. This means most people will need to complete an undergraduate program to enter the field. Beyond formal education, certain skills are especially important. Interpersonal skills and strong speaking and listening abilities support effective interaction in educational settings. Adaptability and leadership are also key, helping teachers adjust and guide others. Creativity and innovation play a role alongside competence with computers and information technology, reflecting the importance of both flexible thinking and comfort with digital tools. Writing and reading skills are central to preparing materials and working with documentation, while mathematics and science round out the core academic skill set. Taken together, the education level and skill profile indicate a career that relies on a solid generalist bachelor’s education combined with strong communication, adaptability, and basic technical and analytical abilities.
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