Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $59,360 a year, based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,560 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $74,260. Pay here is 4% higher than the Arkansas statewide median of $57,000. There are 0.80 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $59,350, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,350 |
| 25th percentile | $52,310 |
| Median | $59,360 |
| 75th percentile | $66,200 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,560 |
| Average (mean) | $59,350 |
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 | $4,946.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,473.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,283.08 |
| Weekly | $1,141.54 |
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 $59,360 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $60,580 | 280 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $60,500 | 290 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $59,220 | 60 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $58,220 | 30 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $57,400 | 330 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $53,360 | 30 |
| Lawton, OK | $51,540 | 50 |
| Tulsa, OK | $49,280 | 320 |
| Enid, OK | $49,270 | 30 |
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 Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $52,620 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $60,960 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $58,960 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $59,050 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $40,710 | $19.57 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $59,110 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $66,310 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $56,430 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $29,370 | — |
| Instructional Coordinator | $69,000 | $33.17 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $62,770 | $30.18 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $57,080 | $27.44 |
| Library Technician | $26,790 | $12.88 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $32,900 | $15.82 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $59,360 a year. Pay ranges from $47,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $76,560 a year. The top 25% earn $66,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,350 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $52,310 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 80 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.