What Does a Special Education Teacher Do?
Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects to students with mild to moderate disabilities, and teach basic academic, life, and social skills to students with more severe disabilities. Special education teachers develop individualized education programs (IEPs) tailored to each student.
Other Job Titles for This Work
Workers in this occupation report titles such as Adapted Physical Activity Specialist, Adapted Physical Education Specialist (APE Specialist), Adapted Physical Education Teacher (Adapted PE Teacher), Adapted Physical Educator, Certified Adapted Physical Educator, DAPE Specialist (Developmental Adapted Physical Education Specialist), DAPE Teacher (Developmental Adapted Physical Education Teacher).
Special Education Teacher Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a special education teacher include:
- Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student with a disability.
- Adapt curriculum materials and teaching strategies to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities.
- Assess students academic, behavioral, and functional abilities using formal and informal evaluation tools.
- Provide direct instruction in academic skills, social skills, and daily living skills based on IEP goals.
- Collaborate with general education teachers to implement accommodations and modifications in inclusive settings.
- Communicate regularly with parents and guardians about student progress, IEP updates, and educational strategies.
- Manage student behavior using positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) and individualized behavior plans.
- Coordinate with related service providers such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and psychologists.
- Maintain detailed records of student performance, IEP compliance, and special education documentation.
- Participate in IEP meetings, multidisciplinary team evaluations, and transition planning for students.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a special education teacher, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- IEP development and implementation
- Differentiated and adaptive instruction
- Behavioral intervention strategies
- Assessment and progress monitoring
- Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams
- Patience and emotional resilience
- Assistive technology knowledge
- Special education law and compliance
Education and Training
Special education teachers must earn a bachelor degree in special education or a related field, with many programs requiring coursework in disability categories, assessment, behavior management, and inclusive practices. All states require licensure or certification in special education, which typically involves completing an approved teacher preparation program and passing relevant Praxis or state exams. Many states offer endorsements for specific disability areas such as learning disabilities, emotional disturbance, or autism. A master degree in special education is increasingly expected and may be required for certification renewal.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $60,930 - $99,690 per year, with a median of $76,580.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Special Education Teachers, All Other.
There is a persistent nationwide shortage of qualified special education teachers, making this one of the most in-demand teaching specialties. The increasing identification of students with autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, and emotional-behavioral disorders drives demand. Special education teachers with expertise in autism, applied behavior analysis, or assistive technology will find the best opportunities.
Special Education Teacher Pay Range
| Earners | Annual pay |
|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $48,440 |
| Bottom 25% earn less than | $60,930 |
| Median (half earn more, half less) | $76,580 |
| Top 25% earn more than | $99,690 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $120,080 |
Highest-Paying States for Special Education Teachers
The states with the highest median pay for this occupation are California ($103,050), New Mexico ($86,520), Delaware ($85,040), Oregon ($82,240), Rhode Island ($80,080). Pay is lowest in Vermont ($46,980), Mississippi ($46,700), West Virginia ($39,920).
Median pay in all 42 states with BLS data
| State | Median annual pay |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,520 |
| Arizona | $59,500 |
| Arkansas | $61,690 |
| California | $103,050 |
| Colorado | $79,290 |
| Connecticut | $61,480 |
| Delaware | $85,040 |
| District of Columbia | $71,130 |
| Florida | $68,690 |
| Georgia | $76,130 |
| Illinois | $64,850 |
| Indiana | $60,920 |
| Iowa | $71,050 |
| Kentucky | $63,140 |
| Louisiana | $61,170 |
| Maine | $56,780 |
| Maryland | $76,100 |
| Massachusetts | $78,440 |
| Michigan | $78,540 |
| Minnesota | $69,470 |
| Mississippi | $46,700 |
| Missouri | $49,610 |
| Nebraska | $59,760 |
| Nevada | $64,410 |
| New Hampshire | $66,670 |
| New Jersey | $71,110 |
| New Mexico | $86,520 |
| New York | $65,970 |
| North Carolina | $65,170 |
| North Dakota | $61,500 |
| Ohio | $51,230 |
| Oregon | $82,240 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,530 |
| Rhode Island | $80,080 |
| Tennessee | $63,300 |
| Texas | $65,710 |
| Utah | $67,860 |
| Vermont | $46,980 |
| Virginia | $77,280 |
| Washington | $76,790 |
| West Virginia | $39,920 |
| Wisconsin | $66,910 |
What the Work Is Like
O*NET surveys people who work as special education teachers, all other about their daily conditions. Of those surveyed:
- 90% spend more than half the workday on their feet
- 90% say teamwork is very or extremely important in their job
- 81% use email every day
- 67% spend more than half the day walking or moving around
- 55% have a lot of freedom to make decisions
- 52% work indoors in a climate-controlled space every day
- 48% speak in front of groups at least once a week
Education Workers Say the Job Needs
| Education level | Share of workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 38% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 33% |
| Master's degree | 29% |
Tools and Software Special Education Teachers Use
Tools and equipment
Software
Is This Job a Good Fit for You?
People who do well in this job tend to enjoy helping, teaching or caring for people as well as hands-on work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
Skills O*NET rates most important: Instructing, Active Listening, Speaking, Active Learning, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension.
Knowledge areas used most: Education and Training, Psychology, English Language, Therapy and Counseling, Customer and Personal Service.
Applying for a Special Education Teacher Job
- Teacher cover letter sample
- How to write the skills section of a resume
- How to describe your work experience
- Job interview tips
- Interview thank-you note
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
- O*NET 30.1 Database, occupation 25-2059.00 (Special Education Teachers, All Other). View on O*NET OnLine.
This page includes information from the O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. The Job Explorer has modified some of the information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these changes.