Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Washington
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Washington earn a median of $101,120 a year, based on BLS data for 2,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $67,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,090 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $74,260. Washington ranks 1st of 51 states for special education teachers, secondary school pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.71 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $97,960, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,880 |
| 25th percentile | $80,620 |
| Median | $101,120 |
| 75th percentile | $112,750 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,090 |
| Average (mean) | $97,960 |
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 | $8,426.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,213.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,889.23 |
| Weekly | $1,944.62 |
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 $101,120 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $103,420 | 60 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $102,890 | 80 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $102,290 | 1,270 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $101,060 | 90 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $97,540 | 220 |
| Bellingham, WA | $96,940 | 70 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $93,380 | 30 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $90,340 | 120 |
| Yakima, WA | $85,590 | 90 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $82,880 | 800 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $81,830 | 40 |
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 Washington
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in Washington is $101,120 a year. Pay ranges from $67,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in Washington?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in Washington earn at least $128,090 a year. The top 25% earn $112,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $67,880 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $80,620 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in Washington?
About 2,510 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.