Special Education Teachers, Middle School

SOC code 25-2057 · O*NET-SOC 25-2057.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Education and library

Special Education Teachers, Middle School pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$66,810

a year

Hourly

—

per hour

10th$49,420Median$66,81090th$102,510

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$73,780

— per hour

Middle 50%

$60,000 – $82,800

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$49,420 – $102,510

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

95,200

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $49,420; —/hr
25th percentile: $60,000; —/hr
Median percentile: $66,810; —/hr
75th percentile: $82,800; —/hr
90th percentile: $102,510; —/hr

What do special education teachers, middle school do?

Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Develop or write Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students.
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation.
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
Modify the general education curriculum for students with disabilities, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and instructional technology.
Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 83% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed

Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

See all zone 4 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Bachelor's Degree83%
Master's Degree15%
Post-Baccalaureate Certificate1%
First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.0%

Common questions

How much does a special education teachers, middle school earn?

The national median is $66,810 a year. The full range runs from $49,420 at the 10th percentile to $102,510 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a special education teachers, middle school without a degree?

Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Learning Strategies4.1/5
Reading Comprehension4.0/5
Active Listening4.0/5
Writing4.0/5
Speaking4.0/5
Critical Thinking4.0/5
Active Learning4.0/5
Monitoring4.0/5

Knowledge areas

English Language4.3/5
Education and Training4.3/5
Mathematics4.0/5
Administrative3.5/5
Customer and Personal Service3.4/5
Psychology3.4/5
Public Safety and Security3.4/5
Sociology and Anthropology3.2/5

Transferable strengths: Instructing, Social Perceptiveness.