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Job outlook for special educators in the United States
Special educator job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected special educator job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.
About 20,600 new jobs for special educators are projected over the next decade.
Special educator salaries have increased 6% for special educators in the last 5 years.
There are over 196,648 special educators currently employed in the United States.
There are 62,545 active special educator job openings in the US.
The average special educator salary is $53,565.
Are special educator jobs in demand?
Special Educator job and salary trends over time
Special Educator jobs over time
Special Educator job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 196,648 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 201,667 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 207,481 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 198,059 | 0.06% |
| 2017 | 201,639 | 0.06% |
Average special educator salary over time
Special Educator salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,565 | $25.75 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $53,424 | $25.68 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $52,478 | $25.23 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | $51,780 | $24.89 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $50,402 | $24.23 | +2.2% |
Special Educator jobs by state
Most common states for special educators
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 179 | 29% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 356 | 27% |
| 3 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 441 | 23% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 209 | 22% |
| 5 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 152 | 22% |
| 6 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 629 | 21% |
| 7 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 224 | 21% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 113 | 20% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 140 | 19% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 652 | 18% |
| 11 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,201 | 17% |
| 12 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 744 | 17% |
| 13 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 146 | 17% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 275 | 16% |
| 15 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 215 | 16% |
| 16 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 118 | 16% |
| 17 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 831 | 15% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 156 | 15% |
| 19 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 874 | 14% |
| 20 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 845 | 14% |
Most common cities for special educators
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apache Junction | 1 | 3% | $43,087 |
| 2 | Atascadero | 1 | 3% | $63,607 |
| 3 | Oak Park | 1 | 2% | $53,289 |
| 4 | Stratford | 1 | 2% | $75,564 |
| 5 | Appleton | 1 | 1% | $45,148 |
| 6 | Rockville | 1 | 1% | $74,018 |
| 7 | Gilbert | 1 | 0% | $43,121 |
| 8 | Indianapolis | 1 | 0% | $41,820 |
| 9 | Saint Louis | 1 | 0% | $50,717 |
Special Educator job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of special educator experts
University of Maine
Texas Tech University
California State University - Fullerton
Alverno College
University of Alaska Anchorage
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of California - San Diego
University of Utah
Georgia College and State University
Auburn University Main Campus
Saint Xavier University
New York University
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Jennifer Lesh Ph.D.: Exercise discernment in your job selection: As a special education teacher, the range of positions available to you will be diverse and plentiful. Remember, a job interview is a two-way street. While school administrators will inquire about your qualifications, it’s equally important for you to evaluate the support and resources the school offers. Inquire about the school's induction programs for new teachers, mentorship opportunities, and the student-teacher ratio. Request a tour of the classrooms. It’s crucial that you feel a sense of belonging and alignment with both the environment and the team. The right fit for your initial teaching role can greatly enhance your capacity for resilience in this rewarding career. Never Stop Learning: Treat every day as an opportunity to learn something new. The most successful special educators are those who continue to grow their knowledge base and skill set long after formal education ends. Build Genuine Connections: Networking is more about building real relationships than accumulating contacts. Seek out educators as mentors whose work or path you admire and do are they are generally positive about teaching. Join a special education professional organization such as Council for Exceptional Children and get involved in the association at the local level. Maintain Work-Life Balance: It's crucial to find a balance that allows you to be productive at school while also taking care of your personal well-being. Burnout is real in the special education profession, and preventing it starts with recognizing the importance of your own health and happiness. Cultivate Your Personal Brand: Think about how you want to be perceived professionally as a special educator and make efforts to build your personal brand around those qualities. Whether it's through social media, blogging, or professional engagements, make sure your personal brand reflects your professional goals and values. Starting your career is the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovery, growth, and fulfillment. By staying curious, resilient, and connected, you'll set the stage for a rewarding and successful career.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Lesh Ph.D.: Technological Proficiency: With the ongoing integration of technology in educational settings, teachers will need to be adept at using assistive technology to support students with special needs. This includes both hardware and software that facilitate communication, learning, and accessibility. Definitely include the use of generative AI in your teacher preparation practices for positive time saver! Data Literacy: Being able to collect, interpret, and apply data to tailor educational approaches to individual student needs will be crucial. Data-driven decision-making can help in creating effective IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) and monitoring student progress. Cultural Competency: As classrooms continue to diversify, understanding and respecting cultural differences and incorporating culturally responsive teaching methods will be essential. Collaboration and Teamwork: Special education often involves working closely with general education teachers, parents, and other professionals such as speech therapists or psychologists. Skills in collaboration and co-teaching will be vital. Emotional Intelligence: The ability to recognize and respond to students' emotional needs, as well as manage your own emotions, will be increasingly important in creating a supportive learning environment. Flexibility and Adaptability: With the fast pace of change in educational policies, practices, and student populations, special education teachers will need to be able to adapt their teaching styles and strategies quickly and effectively. Advocacy Skills: Being able to advocate for the rights and needs of students with disabilities will remain an important skill, including navigating the legal aspects of special education and working with families to ensure that students receive the services and support which they are entitled. Behavior Management: Developing strategies to effectively support positive behavior and address challenging behavior will continue to be a critical skill in the special education field. These skills will support a holistic and adaptive approach to special education, ensuring that educators are well-equipped to meet the evolving challenges and opportunities in the field.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Jennifer Lesh Ph.D.: Pursue Advanced Certifications: Beyond the required education, obtaining specialized certifications can make you more valuable to employers. Certifications in high-demand areas of special education can lead to higher pay, such as obtaining a reading dyslexia certification. Gain Experience in High-Need Areas: Some regions or schools may offer higher salaries or signing bonuses to attract teachers to high-need areas or in subjects with a shortage of qualified professionals. Develop a Niche Expertise: Specializing in a particular area of special education, such as autism spectrum disorders or assistive technology, can set you apart and potentially command a higher salary. Improve Your Educational Credentials: Consider pursuing a master's degree or doctorate. Higher educational attainment is often correlated with increased salary scales in educational institutions. Look for Leadership Opportunities: Positions with additional responsibilities, such as department head or program coordinator, often come with higher pay. Be proactive in seeking out these roles. Be Willing to Relocate: Sometimes the best opportunities for salary growth are in different cities or states. Being open to relocation can widen your options considerably. Continuously Enhance Your Skillset: Engage in professional development to stay current with best practices and emerging trends in special education. Schools may pay more for teachers who are at the cutting edge of their field. Document Your Successes: Keep a comprehensive record of your achievements and the progress of your students. Demonstrable success can be a powerful lever in salary discussions. Promote your accomplishments through social media and branding.
Dr. Pamela Brillante
ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Dr. Pamela Brillante: Attaining additional certifications and credentials while in your first few years of teaching will grow your salary quickly.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Pamela Brillante: Understanding that disability is a natural part of the human experience, and that we all fall on some part of the continuum or spectrum of learning.
Being able to self-reflect on our own ableist views and change our mindset to believe that children are more alike than different.
Understanding a medical diagnosis doesn’t drive educational practices.
The need for initiative, persistence, creativity and problem solving in both ourselves and our students.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Pamela Brillante: View the profession as a puzzle you need to take time to solve. Never give up on a child. Given time and “outside of the box thinking” you will find what works. Understanding how someone learns is not black or white / right or wrong. We all do learn differently and it is our job as special educators to find that path for that specific child.
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.
Professor, Literacy, Language and CultureUniversity of Maine
Education
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.: As these new graduates begin to feel included in the culture of the school, as they become more comfortable with the curriculum, as they gain a better understanding of their learners' strengths and weaknesses, as they develop a management plan that works for them, and as they get better at their pacing and time management, they will transition into a master teacher and an excellent professional in the field of education.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.: Hi William. Just following up. Would you, or can you recommend a professor from University of Maine, to provide answers for our expert panel on starting a career with a degree in Education? We need someone who can give insights into what it's like entering the workforce this year.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. William Nichols Ph.D.: Future graduating education majors can expect to immediately enter the 'survival phase of teaching.' Up to this point, they have had university faculty, university mentors, collaborating teacher mentors, and their peer candidates all supporting their development into excellent professionals in the field of education. However, upon the first minute of the first day of teaching, they will enter the survival phase and, in many cases, they will fight for personal and professional existence.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Dr. Valerie Paton Ph.D.: Leaders who know how to lead others to higher levels of understanding and performance tend to enjoy the satisfaction of being generative and investing in the next generation of learners and leaders. But leadership has a cost in every sector and those who want to take on these roles invest deeply of themselves in others, so healthy life balance is always important.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Valerie Paton Ph.D.: Education is always a great profession to pursue because we have a 'learning society'. Individuals who know how to teach diverse learners are invaluable in all sectors of our society. As more corporations integrate learning goals as essential components to achieve their strategic goals, more opportunities are available for those who are expert educators, trainers, and facilitators. So education programs are transferrable across many types of leadership roles and are generating higher levels of compensation.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Valerie Paton Ph.D.: There are many different types of learning leadership roles across the business sectors in the U.S. and globally. Depending upon the nature of the role, different types of skill sets are needed. If the employee is leading the learning enterprise in a global corporation and the students are employees who need specific training and professional development to achieve their goals, then the 'educator' is using teaching, facilitation, and collaboration skills to support the delivery and application of specific skills, knowledge, and attitudes. While we most often think of 'Educators' as serving as K-12 teachers, the learning leadership needs of all economic sectors are creating increased numbers of employment opportunities for education of adult learners.
Tiffany Row Ph.D.
Program Coordinator, MMSN and ESNCalifornia State University - Fullerton
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Tiffany Row Ph.D.: It's a great idea to begin working as a special education instructional aide to gain experience with students and in navigating school dynamics. These are usually part-time jobs, with hours available in the mornings or afternoons. You may gain experience in multiple settings, especially if you are hired as a substitute instructional aide, which allows you to learn about working with different grade levels and varying levels of student support needs. This is helpful as you decide whether you want to become a teacher for students with mild to moderate support needs, extensive support needs, or early childhood, and whether you might prefer working with younger or older students.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tiffany Row Ph.D.: There has been an increasing focus on social emotional learning in schools, and these skills are just as important for teachers to grow within themselves so they can best support and guide students in learning to regulate their emotions and navigate social relationships. And of course it's always crucial for teachers to have strong skills in literacy instruction.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Tiffany Row Ph.D.: Earning a Master's degree after your credential puts you significantly higher on the pay scale and increases your earning power exponentially as you continue in the field.
Thor Stolen PhD
Associate Professor & program director of Special EducationAlverno College
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Thor Stolen PhD: Know that being a special education is difficult and can be stressful, but it can be extremely rewarding. If you are able to make a connection and reach one student, it is worth it. Take pride in small achievements and smiles you get from your students. Growth and change can be slow but with persistence, you can make a difference. Make sure to take time to enjoy your students, classroom, co-workers and school. Use your creativity/passions to create meaningful learning experiences that give access to education to non-traditional students. Take teaching as an opportunity to make meaningful connections to people and make huge contributions to students' educational experiences.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thor Stolen PhD: Developing relationships with students, co-teachers, community members to create more engaging and accessible learning experiences. Utilizing, developing, and maximizing your own superpowers to create unique, accessible, and memorable learning experiences. Utilizing and staying current with technology and figuring out how to integrate it into UDL lessons to broaden access to curriculum. Collaborating with fellow teachers to design meaningful units and accommodations for your students.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Thor Stolen PhD: Special education teachers are in high demand; leverage this power to negotiate higher wages/benefits or in selecting a school/placement that you want to be at. With teacher shortages in general, now is a great time to join a Teachers Union to support your collective cause.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Dr. Natasha Griffin: It is a very rewarding field, you get to help and support so many children. It is also at times is a stressful field. The special education teachers are in charge of creating and implementing IEPs, as well as having meetings at least annually making sure that IEP’s are up-to-date. An IEP is a legally binding document, so this could be stressful for some special education teachers, especially novice teachers who first start in the field.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Natasha Griffin: Special Education is a good profession to enter now because there is a great need for it regardless of where you live. There is a global need for teachers who work with students with disabilities. Due to more assessment options, trained Special Educators can implement research-based strategies effectively, which leads to higher gains in closing achievement gaps. School districts near and far have started to offer attractive incentives to recruit Special Educators. Special Education is a field that is needed from birth to adulthood to aide in developing productive citizens.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Natasha Griffin: A special education teacher wears many hats. Their main focus is on the students with individualized education plans (IEPs) to make sure that all of their needs are met such as providing accommodations and making sure that each student has a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). With the inclusive nature of special education, the special education teacher works directly with general education /content teachers, as well as collaborating with parents, administration, related service providers such as speech and language pathologists, and other stakeholders. Special education teachers provide co-teaching within the general education setting so that all students have an opportunity to learn together.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Dr. Melissa Tapp PhD: First, I like to tell future special education teachers that teaching is a tough job, but, they are ready for it! Beginning teachers need to use the knowledge they've learned in their program and apply it in their future classrooms. The best advice I can give is to prepare, prepare, prepare! Be intentional about all aspects of the day, from classroom management to academic instruction and try to be proactive and set up systems for students to be successful.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Melissa Tapp PhD: Teachers must be prepared in the area of classroom management and approach these through an understanding of behavior. Several of my courses have an emphasis on support behavioral needs. If teachers enter the field without this background knowledge, they'll find themselves reacting instead of using a proactive approach. This leads to less time for instruction and as a result has an impact on student outcomes across all domains.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Melissa Tapp PhD: As a beginning teacher, individuals can maximize their salary potential by seeking opportunities for professional growth. There are often paid experiences available including participating in research studies, attending paid workshops, and working as a tutor or teaching in a summer school program. Beginning teachers can seek out the opportunities by asking colleagues in their building and across their district and also by reaching out to local university professors.
Krista James Ph.D.
Program Lead & Assistant Professor of Special EducationUniversity of Alaska Anchorage
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Krista James Ph.D.: Shop around to various school districts. Look at their salary scale but also at any signing bonuses they might offer.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Krista James Ph.D.: I would recommend that they find a mentor work with to assist with questions and challenges that they may encounter in their early years in the classroom and also to gain experience in a variety of different settings to see where their preferences lie. Special Education is a large field with many different specializations available. Once you determine where your interests lie then you can seek further education to gain expertise in a particular area.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Krista James Ph.D.: We have always known that inclusion is best practice and many districts have begun moving in that direction so skills in Universal Design for Learning are necessary for teaching in inclusive settings.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Dr. Kimberly Coy: The first part is to get your Master's degree, and then understand the pay scale in the district you work in as well as the districts around you. The second part is to make sure to join the teachers union and understand the bargaining process.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Kimberly Coy: In the next 3-5 years, the skills that will be most important are the ability to be reflective of your practice. Teaching is an ever-evolving skill set for each person. Make sure you can look at your teaching and learn from it by being reflective and keeping your sense of wonder. Another skill will be the ability to understand that you are going to prepare students for jobs and challenges that have not been invented yet. Teach them the important skills of cultivating curiosity and adapting to change.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kimberly Coy: A career as a special education teacher is interesting and rewarding. Also known in California as an Education Specialist, the job involves being both creative and persistent. My advice at the beginning of a career is to find the teachers you want to be most like and watch them, learn from them. They might be other special education teachers, or they might be other types of teachers. Find the positive innovators and stick with them.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Amy Kunkel Ph.D.: The need for good special education teachers is greater than ever before, thus graduates with a special education teaching license can often find teaching positions within their own communities. Take your time to look around at your options, ask questions about your caseload, and try to gauge the support provided by administration and the special education team you will be joining. Oftentimes our student teachers have multiple job offers prior to finishing up their student teaching semester. You want to choose an environment that feels welcoming and supportive.
One piece of advice that all new teachers should remember is the importance of self-care. Teaching is not an easy profession, and teachers teach because they love working with children and young adults. Special education teachers have a very unique passion, and it's helpful to always remember your reason for teaching. The kids will help you with this! I recommend new teachers keep a journal of their thoughts, keep their evenings and weekends work-free, and find time to nourish their hobbies and skills outside the classroom.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Amy Kunkel Ph.D.: Special education teachers need to develop collaboration skills with multiple audiences. In addition to teaching, special education teachers work with parents, caregivers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and general education teachers to develop comprehensive, individualized education programs (IEPs). The implementation of the IEP is a coordinated effort orchestrated by the special education case manager. Thus, skills in collaboration (listening, problem solving, empathy, and willingness to accept constructive feedback) are of the utmost importance.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Amy Kunkel Ph.D.: To maximize your salary potential, first ask to see the hiring district’s salary schedule. Most districts operate on a “step and lane” system in which you receive higher pay for each year of service (step) and receive substantial raises for additional degrees earned (lane). For example, some districts will raise your salary for every 15 graduate credits you have earned, maximizing at a terminal degree. Teachers with a master’s degree + additional credits will earn substantially more than those without a master’s degree.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Francesca Go Ph. D.: For a new Special Education teacher, the key, if possible, is to be well trained in individualizing instruction, making data-based decisions, knowing the law and students' rights, and understanding the importance of collaborating well with students and parents. A good teacher will know what the science and research say about what works and what does not, especially around instruction in areas like reading and mathematics. More broadly, what a new teacher needs, at the minimum, is empathy and understanding for the student and parents and a willingness to meet the student where they are in learning.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Francesca Go Ph. D.: Really, additional training and education will help you maximize your self-efficacy in the classroom as well as your salary potential. Doing things like getting a master's in Special Education can be especially helpful.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Francesca Go Ph. D.: I think understanding good instruction and keeping up with the science of what works will be critical. Understanding how to help students' social-emotional development will also be critical and, again, understanding the research in this area on what works for teach and support students in the area of social and emotional growth.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Dr. Marija Čolić: People love being SPED teachers because of the profound impact they can have on students' lives. Watching students make progress, achieve their goals, and seeing the joy this brings to their families is incredibly rewarding. The profession offers a sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Marija Čolić: Special Education is a vital and rewarding field. SPED teachers have the power to change lives, which is incredibly fulfilling. There is always a need for SPED teachers, making it a stable career choice. People are drawn to this profession because of the immense satisfaction that comes from seeing students improve and their happiness, as well as the joy it brings to their families. The profession offers constant opportunities for growth and learning, making it a dynamic and impactful career path.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Marija Čolić: A Special Education (SPED) Teacher’s job is incredibly important and rewarding. Every day, SPED teachers support students and their families in reaching their dreams. When SPED teachers meet the students, they first conduct assessments to understand their strengths and what support each child needs. Families are crucial in this process as they are the experts on their kids, and SPED teachers include them in developing the goals, ensuring that their insights shape the approach. SPED teachers are crucial to the IEP meetings, where they share information about the current skills they are working on and students' progress. SPED teachers’ responsibilities vary slightly depending on the grade level and setting, but they consistently teach core content tailored to each student's needs. Designing lesson plans that engage students’ senses and address academic, social, and emotional skills is a daily task. That being said, teachers are not just teaching academics; they are focusing on students' assets and using them to support the expansion of skills that are part of everyday life and prepare them for the activities or professions they prefer. Collaboration is a significant part of their role. SPED teachers work closely with other teachers, school staff, and community members, forming a team dedicated to the students’ success. A SPED teacher’s job doesn’t always end when they leave the school. SPED teachers continually think about how to teach a child who might not respond well to the strategies they’ve been using, adapting their approach as needed. This requires analysis, flexibility, and, most importantly, self-reflection. The role of a SPED teacher is dynamic and multifaceted, focusing on supporting students and their families to achieve their dreams.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Chris Halter: Like any field, education is changing and adapting to the needs of today. Anyone in education must have strong digital literacy and be able to fluidly integrate the use of technology into their work. Along with that we need data literacy. The ability to understand data and to make decisions based on the data will help guide our decisions. Cultural literacy and competency is also crucial in any social, community-based field. To truly serve others, we must understand the strengths that come from each community.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Chris Halter: My best advice for any new professional is to find yourself a mentor. Even better, have several mentors. Depending on the areas that you want to grow or excel, there may be a different mentor who could guide you towards those goals. We should also acknowledge that education is a social field. We are in service of others and should always strive to recognize the communities that we serve. Learn, be curious, and understand the values, goals, and strengths that can be found in our communities.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Chris Halter: Professional mobility and compensation in education is largely based on education, professional learning, and experience. This makes being a lifelong learner an advantage in education. If someone is curious, enjoys learning new skills, likes to explore new ideas then they will succeed in this field.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Breda O’Keeffe Ph.D.: Create connections; special education can feel isolating. You may be the only special education teacher in your building or in your content department, but you share students with virtually every teacher in the building, so move beyond your immediate team and connect with teachers in general education. It’s easier to ask a teacher to participate in a meeting when you already have that connection. Seek mentoring and ask for help from professionals in your building and beyond. Be persistent and get yourself organized. Continue to seek professional learning to grow as a teacher, but you will also find yourself as the resident expert in special education, specially designed instruction, behavior supports, assessment, and problem solving.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Breda O’Keeffe Ph.D.: In special education, inclusion, collaboration, behavior supports, mental health supports, effective instruction, providing supports for students from a wide range of backgrounds, and systems change are becoming more important. In addition, advocating for the profession is important, due to the devaluing of education and special education. Seek training that will help you provide excellent, engaging, specially designed instruction for students with disabilities, ideally in inclusive settings. Classroom behavior management and more specialized, individualized behavior supports will help you become a great teacher and a resource within your school. Working successfully with families and students from a wide range of cultural, linguistic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds is important across rural, suburban, and urban settings. In addition, special education teachers should have a voice in school wide behavior plans, multitiered systems of supports, and accessibility to activities and programs. By advocating for yourself and your position, you can create a greater platform of advocacy for the individual students you work with.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Breda O’Keeffe Ph.D.: Before even starting your career in special education, look for programs and scholarships that provide financial support for your education and teaching license/credential. Because special education teachers are in high demand, many states, districts, and institutes of higher education provide financial incentives and supports for preservice teachers. Another option is to look for programs that provide loan forgiveness for working in high need areas (e.g., special education), schools (e.g., Title I schools), or districts. Graduating with low or no debt can help maximize your take-home pay as a teacher. Also, be aware that each state has its own teacher licensing/credentialing systems and that licenses/credentials do not always transfer directly when going from one state to another. If you know what state you will be teaching in, make sure your license/credential will be easily recognized in that state (or you may face additional educational requirements and costs). In addition, be aware that teacher salaries vary widely across states, across cities within states, and across different settings (e.g., private, public, preschool, K-12, etc.). In seeking preparation to become a special education teacher, you have many options that will ultimately affect your salary potential. Alternative routes to licensure which do not include the typical supports of a traditional teacher education program may be tempting, because they tend to be shorter and less expensive. Unfortunately, special education teachers prepared through these routes leave the field sooner and at higher rates than teachers provided with higher quality training at an institute of higher education (e.g., colleges and universities). Look for accredited programs that provide hands-on instruction and multiple supervised field experiences in the settings you will be teaching in, with high quality supervision and feedback (e.g., from a faculty member with teaching experience in your area), support for preparing for licensing/credentialing requirements, and instruction in evidence-based practices in academics, classroom management, intensive behavior supports, assessment, and special education law and policy. You will be more competitive when you start and more likely to persist, which will make the costs of your education worthwhile! When you are seeking a job, district salary schedules are posted on their respective websites. If salary is of utmost interest to you, start looking for high paying districts. Typically, charter and private schools do not have posted salary schedules, but if you are applying to those institutions, you should feel comfortable asking them to match the neighboring district pay. Some districts also offer additional compensation through incentive programs, “buying out” preparation periods, or other school-related duties. Don’t jump into committees and “extra duties” right away. Look for incentive programs specifically for high needs areas, such as special education. For example, in Utah, special education teachers can access the Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP). This fund serves to reward and retain qualified educators in positions that have been identified as having staffing shortages. The state has also provided additional paid workdays outside of contract days to special education teachers to help prepare files and paperwork at the start or end of the school year. In addition, you can increase your pay by seeking further education such as a master’s degree or endorsements.
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Bailey McAlister PhD: Maximizing salary potential is a valuable point that I unfortunately don't have much positive experience in as a college teacher. I always ask for salary increase whenever I can. When I start a job, when I've been at a job a year, when I get another job offer, etc. It doesn't hurt to ask. I guess I'd advise new graduates to note quantities of money, sales, funding, etc. on their resumes. Showing in numbers how much you've grown is important.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Bailey McAlister PhD: I would advise anyone starting a new career in academia to stay humble. Gain comprehensive awareness of the systems and structures around you. Notice opportunities for professional development. Think of things as experiences rather than tasks. Ask questions. Learn people’s stories. Really listen. Practice rhetorical listening.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Bailey McAlister PhD: I think that any skills rooted in confident experimentation will be increasingly valuable in the near future. For example, you don’t need to be an AI expert, but you should be curious about AI innovations and open to experimenting with AI in your work. Technical knowledge can be learned. But there's real value in being confident to experiment, make mistakes, learn, practice, reflect.
Andrew Pendola Ph.D.
Associate Professor | Program CoordinatorAuburn University Main Campus
Education
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Andrew Pendola Ph.D.: Hi Andrew. Just following up. Would you, or can you recommend a professor from Auburn University Main Campus, to provide answers for our expert panel on starting a career with a degree in Education? We need someone who can give insights into what it's like entering the workforce this year.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Andrew Pendola Ph.D.: Hi Alex, I’d be happy to chat with you — my area is in labor markets for educators—so recruitment, hiring, retention, etc.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Andrew Pendola Ph.D.: Thanks! We've found we get better responses over email than the phone because it gives you some time to think about it. We were hoping you could answer the following questions:
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
LaSheba Hilliard Ed.D.: Pursue advanced certifications and degrees: Obtaining additional certifications or advanced degrees in special education or related fields can enhance your qualifications and increase your earning potential.
Seek out high-demand areas: Consider specializing in high-demand areas within special education, such as autism spectrum disorders, behavioral disorders, or early intervention, which may offer higher salaries and more opportunities for advancement.
Gain experience and expertise: Invest in gaining practical experience and developing expertise in specific areas of special education through field experiences in classrooms, volunteer work, or specialized training programs, which can make you more competitive in the job market.
Negotiate salary and benefits: Research salary benchmarks for special education positions in your region and negotiate salary and benefits packages with potential employers based on your qualifications, experience, and the demand for special education professionals in the area.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
LaSheba Hilliard Ed.D.: Embrace continuous learning: Special education is an incredible field with evolving best practices and methodologies. Stay updated with research, attend workshops, and pursue professional development opportunities.
Develop strong communication skills: Effective communication with students, parents, guardians, colleagues, and other stakeholders is crucial. Cultivate empathy, patience, and clarity in your interactions.
Build a support network: Connect with experienced educators, mentors, and professional communities to seek guidance, share experiences, and gain insights into navigating challenges.
Prioritize self-care: Working in special education can be emotionally demanding. Establish boundaries, engage in self-care practices, and seek support to prevent burnout and maintain well-being.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
LaSheba Hilliard Ed.D.: Technological proficiency: As technology plays a significant role in education, proficiency in educational software, assistive technologies, and adaptive learning platforms will be increasingly valuable.
Cultural competence and diversity awareness: With an increasingly diverse student population, educators need to be culturally competent and able to address the unique needs and backgrounds of their students.
Data analysis and evidence-based practices: Utilizing data to inform instructional decisions and implementing evidence-based practices will be essential for optimizing student outcomes and meeting accountability standards.
Collaboration and teamwork: Effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including other educators, therapists, and specialists, will become more critical for creating comprehensive support systems for students with special needs.
Margaret Carroll
Coordinator for Special Education ProgramsSaint Xavier University
Special Education And Teaching
What general advice would you give to a Special Educator?
Margaret Carroll: Special educators must be ready to collaborate. They collaborate with parents and other professionals when they develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each of the students they serve. They collaborate with general education teachers by co-teaching with them and supporting students with IEPs in the general education classroom.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Margaret Carroll: Take the time to invest in your students and develop an effective repertory of instructional strategies, assessment tools, and classroom management strategies. I tell new teachers not to do anything drastic during their first year of teaching: don't move, marry, have a child, divorce, or continue your education during your first year. The first year of teaching is very demanding.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Margaret Carroll: Most schools pay more for each year of experience and for additional professional education. While an increasing salary is desirable, I encourage new teachers to wait at least until they complete their first year of teaching before they begin to pursue an additional teaching credential or degree.
What Special Educator skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Diana Turk Ph.D.: The ability to reach and teach students with disabilities, students who have been trauma impacted, and students with specified language learning needs is going to be of even more importance than it is now (and it's essential now). New teachers should consider dual certifications (content area or elementary education plus teaching students with disabilities or English language learners) to maximize their skills and capacities for reaching and teaching all learners.
What will help Special Educators increase their earning potential?
Dr. Diana Turk Ph.D.: The ability to reach and teach students with disabilities, students who have been trauma impacted, and students with specified language learning needs is going to be of even more importance than it is now (and it's essential now). New teachers should consider dual certifications (content area or elementary education plus teaching students with disabilities or English language learners) to maximize their skills and capacities for reaching and teaching all learners.