Special Education Teachers

Wages & Outlook

Wages

Wages for special education teachers varies by the age of the students they teach. The wages for special education teachers by type of school are given below.

Because teachers usually work a ten-month year, their wages are reported annually.

In some schools, teachers receive extra pay for coaching sports and working with students in activities outside of the classroom. Some teachers earn extra income during the summer by working in the school system or in other jobs.

Over half of all public school teachers belong to unions -- mainly the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association. These unions negotiate with employers regarding wages, hours, and conditions of employment.

Full-time teachers usually receive typical benefits. These include sick leave, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

View the Regional Wage Comparison Chart for:

Employment

In Minnesota, about 11,605 special education teachers work in this medium-sized occupation.

Major employers:

Public and private schools

Outlook

Growth in this occupation will be spurred by several factors. First, the number of special education students needing services is expected to continue to increase. Second, new laws requiring training and employment for people with disabilities are being passed. Third, educational reform is occurring as a result of these changes. In addition, many more openings will arise from the need to replace teachers who leave this occupation. These conditions should result in a very favorable job market.

Many school districts report shortages of qualified teachers. Job outlook varies by area of the country and teacher specialty. Positions in rural areas and inner cities are most plentiful. In addition, job opportunities may be better in some specialties, such as learning disabilities. This is because there are more special education students classified under these categories.