How to Become a Special Education Teacher

Great teachers empathize with children, respect them, and believe that each one has something special that can be built on. Ann Lieberman
Group of children smiling

A career as a special education teacher will involve instructing students with emotional, physical and learning disabilities. Special education teachers may work with individuals of all ages from infants to adults. Their job will consist of helping their students develop problem solving, motor and social skills needed to complete their education and live independent lives. They may work with their students on personal and life skills in addition to academic curriculum and advancement.

Qualities of a Special Education Teacher

Special education teacher requirements include fantastic communication skills since they will be working with students, parents, and educators. They must be able to work in a one-on-one setting with students as well as in a group setting. Being able to meet the individual needs of their students is very important. Good computer skills and organization skills are important due to needing to keep detailed records of each student's progress. Being familiar with assistive technology devices in a classroom is a plus. An encouraging personality as well as the ability to be creative and flexible are all great qualities for a special education teacher.

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Job Growth for Special Education Teachers

The employment growth for special education teachers is 3% at the national level for the 10-year period ending in 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This will vary according to which state you live in, however, and be driven by increased demand for special education services, and the need to replace teachers leaving their occupations.

What are the Requirements for Special Education Teachers?

All certified special education teachers in the United States must have at least a bachelor's degree and hold a state-issued license or certificate specific to teaching special education students. However, each state has their own specific licensing requirements.

Education Requirements for Special Education Teachers

Many universities and colleges offer special education degrees at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels.

Special education teacher degree classes will include gaining knowledge of disabilities like autism, downs syndrome, visual impairment and more. Students will also learn practical procedures for teaching science, math and reading skills to students who have special needs.

Specialized classes could examine topics like technology for differentiated instruction, low incidence disabilities and more. Special education teacher training will also include curriculum development courses and supervised classroom student teaching. Most special education teachers earn a degree in Special Education or Education.

Special Education Teacher Preparation Program

If your school does not offer a degree in special education, you can enroll in a special education teacher preparation program after receiving your degree. This type of program will lead you toward becoming a certified special education teacher. Licensure/certification can be attained through the completion of a teacher education program that is accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation). Due to the high level of specialization among special education teachers, many states may require additional training before you can get a professional license.

Tests to Pass if you Want to Become a Special Education Teacher

Prospective special education teachers are also required to take and pass all special education content area assessments in order to obtain certification at the special education level. These standardized tests vary from state to state. Licensing and competency exams should be taken in the state where you wish to teach.

Find Information About Becoming a Teacher In Your State

Each state has different requirements for becoming a certified teacher. To find out specific requirements, click on your state.

Special Education Teacher by Degree Level

The tables and charts below break down the education level obtained as averaged across the U.S.

Degree LevelPercent (%)
Less Than High School Diploma0.5%
High School Diploma3.0%
Some College6.0%
Associate Degree3.6%
Bachelors Degree36.9%
Masters Degree46.8%
Doctorate Degree3.2%

Data taken from BLS Educational attainment for workers 25 years and older by detailed occupation, 2010-11 (http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_table_111.htm)

Who Will My Students Be?

Special education teachers will have students with learning, physical and emotional disabilities. Many special education students may have delayed motor and social skills and will need to be worked with in these areas on a daily basis. Special education students can range from pre-k to 12th grade, depending on your area of specialty.

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What Does A Special Education Teacher Do?

Special education teachers will work with students who have a wide range of disabilities ranging from learning, physical, mental and emotional. They are responsible for adapting general education lessons to meet the needs of their students. Subjects taught include reading, writing and math as well as basic skills like literacy and communication techniques. Their students may have disabilities ranging from mild to moderate to severe.

Job Duty Requirements for Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers must be able to meet their students' needs to ensure that each individual student receives proper attention and the assistance needed to succeed in school and life. This may include providing one-on-one assistance in the setting of a general classroom, adapting materials, providing appropriate testing opportunities and more.

Special education teachers provide the families of their students the tools they need to grow as independent individuals in their communities. These teachers work with parents, other teachers and paraprofessionals to create individual education plans (IEP) for their students in order to help meet the individual needs of each child.

Special Education Teacher Jobs & Job Description

A complex and demanding career path, the role of the special education teacher is difficult to encapsulate briefly, given that every teacher's caseload of students looks very different from the next. While there are similarities between elementary to secondary, there are differences as well.

Becoming an Elementary Special Education Teacher

Often considered a generalist (though perhaps with special interest or training in one or two areas of need) elementary special education teachers work hard to ensure that students with special needs are able to achieve all their abilities dictate that they can. Elementary special education teachers:

  • Work with students who have Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), autism, Asperger's syndrome, those who are blind, low-vision, deaf or hard-of-hearing, who have Central Auditory Processing Delays (CAP-D), physical disabilities, cognitive impairments or developmental delays.
  • Spearhead the development of an Individual Education Plan each year as a working document for teachers, support staff, administrators, guardians/parents, and other professionals to contribute to in order to ensure best outcomes for students
  • Outline accommodation and/or modification and/or alternate programming to classroom tasks
  • Meet with parents/guardians and internal and external stakeholders for an annual review of IEP particulars and program goals, known as Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) meetings
  • Mentor and advise professional support staff such as speech pathology, audiology, interpreting, psychological assessment, occupational therapy, social work and medical services
  • Ensure that accommodations or modifications during instructional time are also in place during assessments
  • Create a transition plan from year to year, and from elementary to high school with post-secondary planning being a relevant goal and timeline
  • Set academic and developmental goals for students to strive for - ensure that metrics are in place so that every success is measurable
  • Communicate proactively and professionally about student assessment and behavior with teaching and non-teaching staff, individual students, their families and associated professionals, bearing in mind the impact of confidentiality regarding vulnerable persons
  • Support the school's culture and practices for inclusion through extracurricular and co-curricular activities and staff leadership

Becoming a High School Special Education Teacher

Often considered a specialist (though perhaps a generalist due to diversity of need or size of school population) high school special education teachers work hard to ensure that students with special needs are able to achieve all their abilities dictate that they can, and then some. High school special education teachers:

  • Work with students who have Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), autism, Asperger's syndrome, those who are blind, low-vision, deaf or hard-of-hearing, who have Central Auditory Processing Delays (CAP-D), physical disabilities, cognitive impairments or developmental delays.
  • Assess student learning needs in the classroom on a holistic basis, taking into account the students current and past achievements, current cultural and familial framework, and future goals
  • Spearhead the continuation of an accurate and effective Individual Education Plan each year as an editable working document for teachers, support staff, administrators, guardians/parents, and other professionals to contribute to in order to ensure best outcomes for student growth
  • Act as a daily point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, including the student themselves as their individual need dictates
  • Act as a friendly face and advocate, helping students learn the valuable skill of self-advocacy as they approach the end of high school
  • Function as a resource for school to work transitioning
  • Advocate for and promote students for extensive co-operative education placements both in and outside of the school
  • Outline accommodation and/or modification and/or alternate programming to classroom tasks; keep rigorous metrics
  • Proactively meet with parents/guardians and internal and external stakeholders for an annual review of IEP particulars and program goals, known as Identification, Placement, and Review Committee (IPRC) meetings
  • Suggest beneficial reductions in support for the student to foster self-reliance, reduction in vulnerability, and independence
  • Understand theories of adolescent development and how special needs may alter these developmental arcs
  • Advocate on behalf of the student's needs to classroom teachers and administration, either individually and on an ad-hoc basis or in a more formal setting
  • In-service teaching staff, support staff and administration on student behavior and general best practices for interaction and engagement
  • Ensure that accommodations or modifications during instructional time are also in place during assessments
  • Create a transition plan from year to year, and from high school to post-secondary education or job training. Ensure timelines are accurate; work backward from end-goal.
  • Set academic and developmental goals for students to strive for - ensure that metrics are in place so that every small success is measurable
  • Support the school's culture and practices for inclusion through extracurricular and co-curricular activities and staff leadership

Certified special education teachers have many employment avenues open to them, including consultation, policy development, advocacy and administration.

Where Can Certified Special Education Teachers Teach?

Special education teachers can work in elementary schools, charter schools and private schools.

Public Schools

Public schools are required to admit any student who lives within the district, regardless of ability, ethnicity or socioeconomic backgrounds. In public schools, special education teachers tend to work with a diverse group of children with varying needs. Prospective public special education teachers are often required to apply directly to the district prior to seeking employment at a specific school.

Private Schools

Since private schools charge tuition for a child to attend, special education services are generally not free. Many smaller private schools do not even offer special education services. With that said, families of students with special needs may be required to hire a private one-on-one aide to assist the child. These schools are generally governed by a private school board or organization and may have religious affiliations.

If a prospective special education teacher is interested in teaching at a private school, they should check with the school in which they wish to teach to find out specific criteria. Many private schools do not have the same requirements for special education teachers as their public school counterparts. In some cases, relevant experience or a bachelor's degree will suffice.

Charter Schools

Charter schools are independent schools that do not require tuition. They have more flexibility than public schools, but are expected to perform better and have a greater accountability. Charter schools are typically smaller and more selective. They may have additional requirements for their education teachers. However, some charter schools may not have dedicated special education services. To inquire, contact the charter school of your interest.

Special Education Teacher Organizations & Associations

NASET - National Association of Special Education Teachers: NASET is a national membership organization dedicated to providing support and assistance to those preparing for or teaching in the field of special education.

CEC - Council for Exception Children: The Council for Exceptional Children is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of children and youth with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.

IASE - International Association of Special Education: The IASE works to improve the quality of life and service delivery for all individuals with special needs.

NAPSEC - National Association of Private Special Education Centers: NAPSEC is a nonprofit association that supports access to appropriate special education programs with more than 200 programs nationally and over 400 at the state level through the Council of Affiliated State Associations.

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What is the Salary of a Special Education Teacher?

The median annual wage for special education teachers was $61,030 in 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with entry-level teachers earning less than $40,730, and the highest 10% of experienced teachers earning more than $98,530 per year.

In addition to the salary, educators get great health and retirement benefits. Given the degree of specialty training that a special education teacher receives, he or she has an average salary that is somewhat higher than their mainstream counterparts, although private school teachers do earn less than public school teachers. Like other teaching roles, salaries are based mostly on experience and education.

Visit our Teacher Salary-What to Expect? page to find out more.

(Salary data for special education teachers reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2019. Figures represent state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Information accessed March 2021.)

Salary (2022) and Job Outlook (2012 to 2020) by State

According to the published BLS data from 2022, the national average salary for Special Education Teachers (Preschool) is $69,620, with an estimated 22,970 being employed nationwide. Also, the job outlook growth projection from 2012 to 2020 is expected to increase by 16.2%.

StateProjected Growth (%)Avg Salary
Alabama35.3%$38,350
Alaska8.4%$60,270
Arizona18.6%$53,440
Arkansas27.2%$32,600
California8.7%$75,610
Colorado14.8%$63,170
Connecticut17.5%$65,650
Delaware--
Florida25.7%$60,270
Georgia24.9%$65,660
Hawaii4.9%-
Idaho--
Illinois0.2%$66,510
Indiana20.6%$46,900
Iowa5.5%$40,890
Kansas10.4%$55,650
Kentucky-$57,070
Louisiana6.1%$51,630
Maine5.1%$44,320
Maryland4.6%-
Massachusetts7.8%$85,540
Michigan-$65,710
Minnesota2.7%$69,560
Mississippi-$45,900
Missouri6.9%$45,630
Montana30.0%-
Nebraska12.9%$57,750
Nevada6.0%$55,300
New Hampshire-$56,650
New Jersey1.3%$85,260
New Mexico19.6%$63,340
New York17.1%$99,620
North Carolina20.2%$52,010
North Dakota-$63,100
Ohio6.6%$64,560
Oklahoma11.3%$45,930
Oregon10.4%$64,530
Pennsylvania4.3%$63,310
Rhode Island5.0%$64,000
South Carolina16.6%$46,560
South Dakota5.9%-
Tennessee-$45,620
Texas21.3%$63,300
Utah-$58,170
Vermont-$68,930
Virginia11.2%$74,990
Washington15.7%$76,550
Washington, DC-$79,240
West Virginia-$47,560
Wisconsin-$57,970
Wyoming21.0%$51,790

Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Special Education Teachers (Preschool) (SOC Code: 25-2051)

Salary (2022) By Largest Metropolitan Areas

AreaEmployedAvg Salary
90$56,800

Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Special Education Teachers (Preschool) (SOC Code: 25-2051)

Salary (2022) and Job Outlook (2012 to 2020) by State

According to the published BLS data from 2022, the national average salary for Special Education Teachers (Kindergarten and Elementary School) is $68,580, with an estimated 195,010 being employed nationwide. Also, the job outlook growth projection from 2012 to 2020 is expected to increase by 6.2%.

StateProjected Growth (%)Avg Salary
Alabama4.6%$53,510
Alaska10.2%$71,570
Arizona14.6%$55,680
Arkansas8.7%$51,040
California6.8%$86,440
Colorado12.7%$61,470
Connecticut7.9%$81,330
Delaware1.9%$66,110
Florida26.0%$57,780
Georgia24.4%$67,570
Hawaii4.7%$36,800
Idaho7.5%$61,090
Illinois-$72,270
Indiana9.3%$59,410
Iowa5.0%$56,630
Kansas9.1%$62,390
Kentucky11.1%$54,510
Louisiana6.2%$51,900
Maine-$58,430
Maryland5.3%$71,650
Massachusetts4.5%$82,230
Michigan-$64,910
Minnesota2.0%$63,110
Mississippi8.5%$47,300
Missouri3.4%$47,860
Montana2.6%$60,980
Nebraska10.1%$57,300
Nevada4.8%$65,180
New Hampshire4.6%$63,940
New Jersey0.2%$73,640
New Mexico19.5%$65,650
New York5.4%$86,920
North Carolina9.2%$51,250
North Dakota10.1%$59,990
Ohio6.3%$69,900
Oklahoma4.7%$52,280
Oregon12.7%$85,990
Pennsylvania-$69,450
Rhode Island-$71,310
South Carolina7.2%$54,970
South Dakota2.5%$49,540
Tennessee13.8%$56,900
Texas20.2%$60,870
Utah20.6%$58,840
Vermont-$62,180
Virginia11.1%$69,480
Washington18.6%$83,460
Washington, DC-$78,700
West Virginia-$49,360
Wisconsin1.3%$59,000
Wyoming7.1%$61,780

Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Special Education Teachers (Kindergarten and Elementary School) (SOC Code: 25-2052)

Salary (2022) By Largest Metropolitan Areas

AreaEmployedAvg Salary
9,820$74,670

Data taken from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oes/) for Special Education Teachers (Kindergarten and Elementary School) (SOC Code: 25-2052)