Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Modesto, CA
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $98,170 a year, based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,590 for the top 10%. That is 32% higher than the national median of $74,260. Pay here is 3% lower than the California statewide median of $101,060. There are 1.1 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $97,500, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,040 |
| 25th percentile | $82,340 |
| Median | $98,170 |
| 75th percentile | $103,880 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,590 |
| Average (mean) | $97,500 |
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 | $8,180.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,090.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,775.77 |
| Weekly | $1,887.88 |
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 $98,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $101,640 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,890 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,250 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $80,570 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $103,790 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $96,940 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $101,030 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $96,500 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $47,990 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Tutor | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $65,290 | $31.39 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, CA
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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in the Modesto, CA metro area is $98,170 a year. Pay ranges from $72,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $125,590 a year. The top 25% earn $103,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,040 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $82,340 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in Modesto, CA?
About 220 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.