Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Columbia, SC
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $58,860 a year, based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,660 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $74,260. Pay here is 5% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $62,150. There are 0.58 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $63,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,680 |
| 25th percentile | $58,230 |
| Median | $58,860 |
| 75th percentile | $73,030 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,660 |
| Average (mean) | $63,600 |
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 | $4,905 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,452.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,263.85 |
| Weekly | $1,131.92 |
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.
Buying a home? On a $58,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $66,260 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $64,720 | 160 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $63,700 | 180 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $63,040 | 390 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $61,420 | 200 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,070 | 1,070 |
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 or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in the Columbia, SC metro area is $58,860 a year. Pay ranges from $49,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $77,660 a year. The top 25% earn $73,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,680 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $58,230 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in Columbia, SC?
About 230 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.