Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Pennsylvania
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Pennsylvania earn a median of $72,680 a year, based on BLS data for 7,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,170 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $65,120. Pennsylvania ranks 19th of 51 states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school pay. 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 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $72,340, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,730 |
| 25th percentile | $59,080 |
| Median | $72,680 |
| 75th percentile | $81,580 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,170 |
| Average (mean) | $72,340 |
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 | $6,056.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,028.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,795.38 |
| Weekly | $1,397.69 |
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.
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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lancaster, PA | $78,470 | 340 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Pennsylvania
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Pennsylvania is $72,680 a year. Pay ranges from $51,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Pennsylvania earn at least $98,170 a year. The top 25% earn $81,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,730 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $59,080 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Pennsylvania?
About 7,640 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.