Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in California
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in California earn a median of $97,170 a year, based on BLS data for 23,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,590 for the top 10%. That is 49% higher than the national median of $65,120. California ranks 2nd of 51 states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.3 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $93,510, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,180 |
| 25th percentile | $76,700 |
| Median | $97,170 |
| 75th percentile | $108,320 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,590 |
| Average (mean) | $93,510 |
Half of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,097.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,048.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,737.31 |
| Weekly | $1,868.65 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $105,290 | 3,440 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $104,810 | 490 |
| El Centro, CA | $99,020 | 180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $98,940 | 300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,640 | 790 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $98,330 | 1,700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $98,260 | 210 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $97,860 | 1,970 |
| Merced, CA | $97,340 | 160 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $97,260 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $96,970 | 6,410 |
| Fresno, CA | $95,950 | 700 |
| Yuba City, CA | $94,260 | 130 |
| Napa, CA | $92,970 | 60 |
| Redding, CA | $92,820 | 170 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $91,840 | 3,140 |
| Chico, CA | $91,510 | 160 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $81,910 | 250 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $81,750 | 150 |
| Modesto, CA | $80,570 | 270 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $79,760 | 400 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $75,250 | 800 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 |
| California | $97,170 |
| Washington | $95,040 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 |
| New York | $81,260 |
| Alaska | $80,230 |
| Maryland | $78,850 |
| Illinois | $77,960 |
See Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,650 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,370 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,950 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $101,060 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $103,050 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $82,550 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $101,530 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $80,620 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $59,550 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,490 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Tutor | $45,100 | $21.69 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in California?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in California is $97,170 a year. Pay ranges from $63,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in California?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in California earn at least $123,590 a year. The top 25% earn $108,320 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,180 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $76,700 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in California?
About 23,280 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.