Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Pennsylvania
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Pennsylvania earn a median of $77,000 a year, based on BLS data for 11,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,880 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $74,260. Pennsylvania ranks 16th of 51 states for special education teachers, secondary school pay. There are 1.8 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,080, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in Pennsylvania
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,110 |
| 25th percentile | $61,210 |
| Median | $77,000 |
| 75th percentile | $90,160 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,880 |
| Average (mean) | $76,080 |
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 | $6,416.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,208.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,961.54 |
| Weekly | $1,480.77 |
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 $77,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in Pennsylvania at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in cities in Pennsylvania
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg, PA | $98,860 | 100 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $83,280 | 270 |
| Lancaster, PA | $81,040 | 540 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $80,060 | 110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $79,760 | 5,790 |
| Reading, PA | $78,670 | 380 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $77,850 | 780 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,160 | 1,850 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $72,600 | 320 |
| Erie, PA | $71,660 | 180 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $64,780 | 660 |
| Williamsport, PA | $63,450 | 90 |
| Altoona, PA | $62,050 | 120 |
| Johnstown, PA | $59,190 | 80 |
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 Pennsylvania
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in Pennsylvania is $77,000 a year. Pay ranges from $51,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in Pennsylvania?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in Pennsylvania earn at least $101,880 a year. The top 25% earn $90,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in Pennsylvania?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,110 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $61,210 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in Pennsylvania?
About 11,040 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in Pennsylvania, not counting the self-employed.