Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Iowa
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Iowa earn a median of $60,780 a year, based on BLS data for 1,570 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,570 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $74,260. Iowa ranks 40th of 51 states for special education teachers, secondary school pay. There are 1.0 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,840 |
| 25th percentile | $51,430 |
| Median | $60,780 |
| 75th percentile | $75,600 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,570 |
| Average (mean) | $63,800 |
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 | $5,065 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,532.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,337.69 |
| Weekly | $1,168.85 |
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 $60,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $63,600 | 550 |
| Iowa City, IA | $62,760 | 80 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $62,110 | 200 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $61,830 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,710 | 170 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $60,310 | 580 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $59,760 | 70 |
| Dubuque, IA | $58,950 | 50 |
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 Iowa
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in Iowa is $60,780 a year. Pay ranges from $46,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in Iowa?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in Iowa earn at least $81,570 a year. The top 25% earn $75,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,840 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $51,430 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in Iowa?
About 1,570 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.