Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Rochester, NY
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $60,760 a year, based on BLS data for 1,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,960 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $65,120. Pay here is 25% lower than the New York statewide median of $81,260. There are 2.7 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,190 |
| 25th percentile | $58,070 |
| Median | $60,760 |
| 75th percentile | $77,310 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,960 |
| Average (mean) | $65,720 |
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 | $5,063.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,531.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,336.92 |
| Weekly | $1,168.46 |
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 $60,760 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Rochester, NY metro area is $60,760 a year. Pay ranges from $49,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $83,960 a year. The top 25% earn $77,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,190 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $58,070 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Rochester, NY?
About 1,320 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.