Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in California
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in California earn a median of $101,060 a year, based on BLS data for 12,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,600 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $74,260. California ranks 2nd of 51 states for special education teachers, secondary school pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.66 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $102,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,390 |
| 25th percentile | $79,740 |
| Median | $101,060 |
| 75th percentile | $123,840 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,600 |
| Average (mean) | $102,780 |
Half of special education teachers, secondary 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 | $8,421.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,210.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,886.92 |
| Weekly | $1,943.46 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, secondary 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, Secondary School salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $117,640 | 400 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $115,160 | 1,220 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $105,160 | 1,260 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $104,090 | 290 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $103,730 | 1,630 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $101,060 | 70 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,900 | 3,920 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $100,880 | 150 |
| Salinas, CA | $100,450 | 150 |
| Vallejo, CA | $99,930 | 110 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $99,900 | 700 |
| Fresno, CA | $98,860 | 490 |
| Modesto, CA | $98,170 | 220 |
| Merced, CA | $98,040 | 120 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $97,310 | 230 |
| El Centro, CA | $97,000 | 90 |
| Yuba City, CA | $96,260 | 90 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $76,610 | 70 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $74,690 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, secondary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $101,120 |
| California | $101,060 |
| District of Columbia | $99,670 |
| Maryland | $93,530 |
| Rhode Island | $92,990 |
| New York | $89,310 |
| Massachusetts | $83,890 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 |
| Connecticut | $81,710 |
| Alaska | $80,580 |
See Special Education Teachers, Secondary School pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $99,650 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,370 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $98,950 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $97,170 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $103,050 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $82,550 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $101,530 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $80,620 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $59,550 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $46,490 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $60,300 | $28.99 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Tutor | $45,100 | $21.69 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2058. 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, secondary school make in California?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in California is $101,060 a year. Pay ranges from $63,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in California?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in California earn at least $131,600 a year. The top 25% earn $123,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,390 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $79,740 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in California?
About 12,100 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.