Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in New York
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in New York earn a median of $81,260 a year, based on BLS data for 21,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,280 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $65,120. New York ranks 7th of 51 states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school pay. There are 2.2 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $91,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in New York
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,460 |
| 25th percentile | $66,300 |
| Median | $81,260 |
| 75th percentile | $117,540 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,280 |
| Average (mean) | $91,610 |
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 | $6,771.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,385.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,125.38 |
| Weekly | $1,562.69 |
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 $81,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in cities in New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $91,610 | 22,270 |
| Kingston, NY | $81,540 | 170 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $80,730 | 640 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $77,210 | 710 |
| Syracuse, NY | $75,690 | 560 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $71,570 | 1,290 |
| Binghamton, NY | $66,300 | 330 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $64,280 | 260 |
| Elmira, NY | $63,370 | 70 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $62,920 | 130 |
| Ithaca, NY | $61,910 | 80 |
| Rochester, NY | $60,760 | 1,320 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $58,810 | 60 |
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 New York
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in New York is $81,260 a year. Pay ranges from $59,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in New York?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in New York earn at least $133,280 a year. The top 25% earn $117,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,460 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $66,300 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in New York?
About 21,130 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.