The median annual wage for special education teachers was $56,800 in May 2015. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,410, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $90,260.

Median annual wages for special education teachers in May 2015 were as follows:

Special education teachers typically work during school hours. They also use that time to grade papers, update students' records, and prepare lessons. They may meet with parents, students, and other teachers before and after classes.

Many work the traditional 10-month school year and have a 2-month break during the summer. Some teachers may work for summer programs.

Teachers in districts with a year-round schedule typically work 8 weeks in a row then are on break for 1 week. They also have a 5-week midwinter break.

Union Membership

Most special education teachers belonged to a union in 2014.