Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in Rockford, IL
Special Education Teachers, Middle School in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median of $75,540 a year, based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,040 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $66,810. Pay here is 1% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $74,730. There are 1.0 special education teachers, middle school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,270, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, middle school in Rockford, IL
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,190 |
| 25th percentile | $60,790 |
| Median | $75,540 |
| 75th percentile | $91,870 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,040 |
| Average (mean) | $74,270 |
Half of special education teachers, middle 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 | $6,295 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,147.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,905.38 |
| Weekly | $1,452.69 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, middle 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 $75,540 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,840 | 3,190 |
| Springfield, IL | $74,590 | 110 |
| Bloomington, IL | $64,060 | 30 |
| Decatur, IL | $63,520 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $62,820 | 140 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $62,140 | 100 |
| Peoria, IL | $61,260 | 150 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,040 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $58,850 | 340 |
| Kankakee, IL | $57,620 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, middle school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $101,530 |
| Washington | $99,520 |
| Rhode Island | $93,970 |
| New York | $93,820 |
| Connecticut | $92,900 |
| Massachusetts | $84,550 |
| Alaska | $81,000 |
| District of Columbia | $79,170 |
| New Jersey | $79,110 |
| Utah | $78,920 |
See Special Education Teachers, Middle School pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $64,200 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $78,500 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $76,920 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $72,910 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $78,070 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $73,830 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $65,310 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $78,600 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $32,020 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| Tutor | $31,200 | $15.00 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Rockford, IL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2057. 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, middle school make in Rockford, IL?
The median salary for special education teachers, middle school in the Rockford, IL metro area is $75,540 a year. Pay ranges from $47,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, middle school make in Rockford, IL?
The top 10% of special education teachers, middle school in the Rockford, IL metro area earn at least $105,040 a year. The top 25% earn $91,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, middle school in Rockford, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,190 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, middle school earn $60,790 or less.
How many special education teachers, middle school work in Rockford, IL?
About 140 special education teachers, middle school are employed in the Rockford, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.