Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Lancaster, PA
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn a median of $78,470 a year, based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,700 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $65,120. Pay here is 8% higher than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $72,680. 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 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $75,080, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Lancaster, PA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,170 |
| 25th percentile | $63,420 |
| Median | $78,470 |
| 75th percentile | $81,110 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,700 |
| Average (mean) | $75,080 |
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 | $6,539.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,269.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,018.08 |
| Weekly | $1,509.04 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $78,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA | $77,230 | 280 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $76,120 | 300 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $75,190 | 530 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $74,290 | 5,660 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $67,510 | 80 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $64,640 | 440 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $63,200 | 990 |
| State College, PA | $62,730 | 70 |
| Altoona, PA | $62,430 | 50 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $61,940 | 290 |
| Williamsport, PA | $61,830 | 80 |
| Erie, PA | $61,160 | 170 |
| Johnstown, PA | $60,980 | 90 |
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 or the Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lancaster, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $78,360 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $80,820 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $80,960 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $35,240 | $16.94 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $81,040 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $78,480 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $78,560 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $77,800 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $34,900 | — |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $81,180 | $39.03 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $60,240 | $28.96 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $76,450 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Lancaster, PA
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 Lancaster, PA?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Lancaster, PA metro area is $78,470 a year. Pay ranges from $59,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Lancaster, PA?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Lancaster, PA metro area earn at least $95,700 a year. The top 25% earn $81,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Lancaster, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,170 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $63,420 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Lancaster, PA?
About 340 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in the Lancaster, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.