How to become special education teachers, secondary schooleducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Education Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$74,260

25th–75th pct. $60,180–$93,730

Top pay (est.)

$141,800

Top 10% $109,100

Pay in 5 years

$85,400est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$98,100est.

$84,400–$113,900

Outlook score

44/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

45%

Moderate

Job growth (10 yr)

−0.2%

10K openings / yr

How to become special education teachers, secondary school

Typical education

Bachelor's degree

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

Key skills

Learning Strategies

4.8

Monitoring

4.0

Social Perceptiveness

4.0

Writing

4.0

Speaking

4.0

Instructing

4.0

Active Listening

4.0

Reading Comprehension

4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Education and Training

5.8

English Language

4.9

Psychology

4.9

Therapy and Counseling

4.5

Customer and Personal Service

4.4

Administrative

4.3

Mathematics

4.1

Sociology and Anthropology

4.0

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkThinking CreativelyTraining and Teaching OthersCoaching and Developing Others

Important abilities

Speech ClaritySpeech RecognitionOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionWritten Comprehension

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree

42%

Master's degree

42%

Post-bachelor's certificate

15%

Training before entry

6–12 months

43%

Up to 1 month

22%

None / short demo

15%

3–6 months

1–2 years

Related work experience

6–12 months

32%

2–4 years

23%

None

20%

1–2 years

1–3 months

6–8 years

3–6 months

Over 10 years

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as special education teachers, secondary school

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Teach academic and social skills to students at the elementary school level.	$63,970	46/100	28%
2	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.	$72,040	45/100	36%
3	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Teach one or more subjects to students at the middle, intermediate, or junior high school level.	$64,370	40/100	45%
4	Substitute Teachers, Short-Term Teach students on a short-term basis as a temporary replacement for a regular classroom teacher, typically using the regular teacher's lesson plan.	$41,670	49/100	39%
5	Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.	$38,140	62/100	16%
6	Self-Enrichment Teachers Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.	$46,800	61/100	22%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.