Elementary and Preschool Special Ed Teacher Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Elementary and preschool special ed teachers need to at least have a bachelor’s degree. They also need to complete an approved training program in special education teaching. Many universities and colleges have programs in special education at the graduate, master’s and PhD levels. Most bachelors’ courses include specialized curriculum in special education.
Training and Education
Education or job training for workers typically involves a bachelor's degree. At least 87% of employees had a degree of four or more years. About 8% of elementary and preschool special ed teachers had some college below a bachelor's degree. An estimated 5% of workers had just a high-school diploma.
Job Overview
Elementary and preschool special ed teachers work with children who suffer from different kinds of disabilities, like autism and learning disorders. They teach children basic life skills and the ability to meet individual requirements.
Job Requirements
Elementary and preschool special ed teachers need a special license to practice, which is administered by the licensure advisory committee or the state board of education. Requirements to earn licensure differ from one state to another. Some states also require a master’s degree in special education. Passing a professional assessment test is also required.
Those who do not have formal training in special education can also enter this profession. Such aspirants need to have a bachelor’s degree. They then have to successfully finish a certain period of education under supervision and pass an assessment. They are then given a provisional license, which becomes a regular license after one spends one to two years working under the supervision of a licensed teacher.
It is extremely important for elementary and preschool special education teachers to be understanding and empathetic with their students. They need to be patient and accept the special requirements of each child. They should be able to inspire their students. Creativity is important as elementary and preschool special ed teachers may have to devise new ways to teach their students.
Nature of Work
Elementary and preschool special ed teachers use special strategies and methods to enhance the growth of cognition, language, recollection and sensory skills of special children. They instruct using techniques of repetition, phonetics and multi sensory learning to reinforce learning and to fulfill the pupils’ varying interests and requirements. They teach behavior which is socially acceptable and employ methods of constructive reinforcement and behavior alteration.
Elementary and preschool special ed teachers work with children who are disabled. The job can be physically and mentally taxing, but it can also be very rewarding as well. Many elementary and preschool special ed teachers work for ten months like other teachers, but some may be required to work throughout the year.
Area Job Conditions
The cities with the most employees per capita are Hinesville (Georgia), El Centro (California), and Waterbury (Connecticut), while the worst cities are Santa Cruz (California), Shreveport (Louisiana), and Huntsville (Alabama).
The highest salaries for elementary and preschool special ed teachers are in and around Visalia (California), Bethesda (Maryland), and Nassau (New York). The lowest-paying areas are Morristown (Tennessee), Iowa City (Iowa), and Prescott (Arizona).
Part-Time and Self Employment
An estimated 10% of elementary and preschool special ed teachers work part-time.
Elementary and Preschool Special Ed Teachers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anniston | $48,000 | 80 | +30% |
| Auburn | $54,000 | 60 | +1% |
| Birmingham | $50,000 | 390 | -49% |
| Decatur | $51,000 | 100 | +37% |
| Dothan | $45,000 | 60 | -25% |
| Florence | $48,000 | 50 | -29% |
| Huntsville | $52,000 | 90 | -71% |
| Mobile | $50,000 | 200 | -24% |
| Montgomery | $47,000 | 180 | -26% |
| Tuscaloosa | $47,000 | 150 | +17% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $38,000 | 160 | +108% |
| Kingman | $39,000 | 90 | +42% |
| Phoenix | $44,000 | 1,850 | -32% |
| Prescott | $39,000 | 40 | -46% |
| Tucson | $41,000 | 420 | -20% |
| Yuma | $41,000 | 60 | -21% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $56,000 | 250 | -18% |
| Fort Smith | $43,000 | 150 | -16% |
| Hot Springs | $44,000 | 40 | -15% |
| Jonesboro | $43,000 | 90 | +43% |
| Little Rock | $46,000 | 430 | -19% |
| Pine Bluff | $47,000 | 40 | +3% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $70,000 | 440 | +12% |
| El Centro | $69,000 | 150 | +123% |
| Fresno | $64,000 | 500 | +3% |
| Hanford | $53,000 | 90 | +103% |
| Los Angeles | $62,000 | 5,410 | -14% |
| Modesto | $62,000 | 250 | +9% |
| Oakland | $63,000 | 1,320 | -15% |
| Oxnard | $60,000 | 200 | -56% |
| Riverside | $67,000 | 1,570 | -16% |
| Sacramento | $58,000 | 930 | -31% |
| Salinas | $78,000 | 130 | -45% |
| San Diego | $72,000 | 1,240 | -39% |
| San Francisco | $56,000 | 980 | -36% |
| San Jose | $65,000 | 740 | -47% |
| San Luis Obispo | $67,000 | 140 | +6% |
| Santa Ana | $76,000 | 1,180 | -48% |
| Santa Barbara | $71,000 | 210 | -16% |
| Santa Cruz | $56,000 | 90 | -27% |
| Santa Rosa | $65,000 | 210 | -19% |
| Stockton | $57,000 | 380 | +21% |
| Visalia | $73,000 | 170 | -14% |
| Yuba City | $63,000 | 60 | +19% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $47,000 | 470 | +23% |
| Denver | $55,000 | 1,520 | -22% |
| Grand Junction | $54,000 | 90 | +15% |
| Greeley | $51,000 | 130 | +28% |
| Pueblo | $43,000 | 160 | +105% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $72,000 | 560 | -14% |
| Danbury | $68,000 | 110 | +16% |
| Hartford | $66,000 | 930 | +5% |
| New Haven | $68,000 | 460 | +11% |
| Norwich | $69,000 | 370 | +107% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $57,000 | 520 | +5% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $75,000 | 3,880 | +3% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | $44,000 | 60 | -94% |
| Orlando | $54,000 | 1,040 | -34% |
| Sarasota | $50,000 | 580 | +56% |
| Sebastian | 60 | -6% | |
| Tampa | $58,000 | 1,820 | +3% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $50,000 | 180 | +111% |
| Athens | $59,000 | 210 | +112% |
| Atlanta | $52,000 | 5,690 | +58% |
| Augusta | $50,000 | 260 | -16% |
| Brunswick | $49,000 | 50 | -8% |
| Columbus | $50,000 | 230 | +44% |
| Dalton | $52,000 | 150 | +59% |
| Gainesville | $44,000 | 200 | +106% |
| Macon | $53,000 | 200 | +55% |
| Savannah | $49,000 | 350 | +59% |
| Valdosta | $49,000 | 120 | +79% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $50,000 | 1,070 | +58% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $40,000 | 400 | +1% |
| Idaho Falls | $36,000 | 70 | +11% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $53,000 | 180 | +83% |
| Champaign | $39,000 | 50 | -66% |
| Chicago | $59,000 | 5,010 | -14% |
| Danville | $45,000 | 80 | +131% |
| Peoria | $43,000 | 250 | -1% |
| Rockford | $36,000 | 390 | +89% |
| Springfield | $43,000 | 280 | +80% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $46,000 | 100 | +100% |
| Bloomington | $48,000 | 70 | -28% |
| Elkhart | $54,000 | 160 | +2% |
| Evansville | $46,000 | 140 | -45% |
| Fort Wayne | $46,000 | 300 | -2% |
| Gary | $53,000 | 420 | +3% |
| Indianapolis | $48,000 | 1,040 | -25% |
| Kokomo | $50,000 | 60 | +17% |
| Lafayette | $47,000 | 50 | -53% |
| Muncie | $43,000 | 30 | -51% |
| South Bend | $50,000 | 90 | -52% |
| Terre Haute | $45,000 | 80 | -16% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $47,000 | 200 | -2% |
| Davenport | $53,000 | 290 | +4% |
| Iowa City | $42,000 | 40 | -60% |
| Sioux City | $40,000 | 80 | -22% |
| Waterloo | $50,000 | 230 | +89% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $50,000 | 180 | +13% |
| Wichita | $49,000 | 270 | -38% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown | $47,000 | 120 | +102% |
| Lexington | $48,000 | 270 | -26% |
| Louisville | $52,000 | 1,040 | +11% |
| Owensboro | $47,000 | 130 | +104% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $43,000 | 210 | +136% |
| Baton Rouge | $51,000 | 800 | +40% |
| Monroe | $49,000 | 200 | +86% |
| New Orleans | $50,000 | 950 | +16% |
| Shreveport | $47,000 | 200 | -25% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $42,000 | 170 | +101% |
| Lewiston | $44,000 | 130 | +90% |
| Portland | $48,000 | 370 | +23% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $61,000 | 2,190 | +8% |
| Bethesda | $68,000 | 630 | -29% |
| Hagerstown | $48,000 | 120 | -14% |
| Salisbury | $65,000 | 90 | +23% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $61,000 | 220 | +54% |
| Boston | $58,000 | 4,300 | +59% |
| Brockton | $62,000 | 270 | +110% |
| Framingham | $55,000 | 540 | +123% |
| Haverhill | $60,000 | 290 | +149% |
| Lawrence | $66,000 | 170 | +107% |
| Leominster | $58,000 | 140 | +109% |
| Lowell | $60,000 | 240 | +37% |
| New Bedford | $69,000 | 150 | +67% |
| Peabody | 280 | +91% | |
| Pittsfield | $76,000 | 60 | +43% |
| Springfield | $56,000 | 910 | +101% |
| Taunton | $53,000 | 100 | +67% |
| Worcester | $58,000 | 710 | +87% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $61,000 | 180 | -28% |
| Battle Creek | $51,000 | 100 | +42% |
| Bay City | $60,000 | 50 | +19% |
| Detroit | $70,000 | 870 | -16% |
| Flint | $62,000 | 140 | -27% |
| Grand Rapids | $49,000 | 390 | -33% |
| Holland | $52,000 | 130 | -6% |
| Jackson | $66,000 | 40 | -39% |
| Kalamazoo | $52,000 | 140 | -30% |
| Lansing | $52,000 | 270 | -9% |
| Monroe | $53,000 | 70 | +46% |
| Muskegon | $59,000 | 60 | -22% |
| Saginaw | $56,000 | 60 | -48% |
| Warren | $61,000 | 1,020 | -39% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $52,000 | 220 | +16% |
| Mankato | $48,000 | 110 | +43% |
| Minneapolis | $57,000 | 3,230 | +17% |
| Rochester | $49,000 | 220 | +49% |
| St Cloud | $51,000 | 260 | +89% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $46,000 | 180 | +16% |
| Hattiesburg | $43,000 | 90 | +14% |
| Jackson | $44,000 | 300 | -22% |
| Pascagoula | $45,000 | 90 | +45% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $33,000 | 200 | +235% |
| Jefferson City | $34,000 | 90 | -14% |
| Joplin | $42,000 | 180 | +61% |
| Kansas City | $49,000 | 2,180 | +38% |
| Springfield | $47,000 | 240 | -16% |
| St Joseph | $41,000 | 50 | -28% |
| St Louis | $53,000 | 2,200 | +6% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $68,000 | 210 | -12% |
| Omaha | $47,000 | 780 | +8% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $52,000 | 580 | -56% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $50,000 | 160 | +7% |
| Nashua | $54,000 | 170 | -16% |
| Portsmouth | $49,000 | 100 | +26% |
| Rochester | $51,000 | 170 | +132% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $57,000 | 310 | +45% |
| Camden | $56,000 | 1,890 | +134% |
| Edison | $63,000 | 3,410 | +114% |
| Newark | $67,000 | 2,490 | +60% |
| Ocean City | $65,000 | 110 | +101% |
| Trenton | $63,000 | 530 | +55% |
| Vineland | $56,000 | 200 | +141% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $58,000 | 430 | -27% |
| Farmington | $48,000 | 150 | +124% |
| Las Cruces | $66,000 | 340 | +282% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $55,000 | 850 | +22% |
| Binghamton | $57,000 | 210 | +28% |
| Buffalo | $58,000 | 1,790 | +110% |
| Elmira | $61,000 | 160 | +218% |
| Glens Falls | $57,000 | 180 | +153% |
| Ithaca | $60,000 | 140 | +157% |
| Kingston | $70,000 | 220 | +164% |
| Nassau | $83,000 | 4,070 | +107% |
| New York | $68,000 | 13,770 | +70% |
| Poughkeepsie | $69,000 | 940 | +152% |
| Rochester | $54,000 | 1,710 | +119% |
| Syracuse | $60,000 | 880 | +84% |
| Utica | $55,000 | 420 | +130% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $46,000 | 220 | -17% |
| Burlington | $44,000 | 180 | +131% |
| Charlotte | $46,000 | 1,780 | +34% |
| Durham | $48,000 | 630 | +50% |
| Fayetteville | $43,000 | 390 | +111% |
| Greensboro | $45,000 | 1,110 | +104% |
| Greenville | $43,000 | 50 | -47% |
| Hickory | $44,000 | 710 | +227% |
| Raleigh | $50,000 | 1,380 | +73% |
| Rocky Mount | $42,000 | 230 | +189% |
| Wilmington | $40,000 | 300 | +49% |
| Winston Salem | $43,000 | 380 | +20% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $47,000 | 90 | -1% |
| Fargo | $53,000 | 170 | -5% |
| Grand Forks | $45,000 | 110 | +69% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $56,000 | 460 | -6% |
| Canton | $49,000 | 300 | +21% |
| Cincinnati | $53,000 | 1,350 | -14% |
| Cleveland | $54,000 | 1,350 | -15% |
| Columbus | $51,000 | 1,700 | +19% |
| Dayton | $57,000 | 530 | -10% |
| Lima | $54,000 | 90 | +27% |
| Mansfield | $55,000 | 60 | -15% |
| Steubenville | $44,000 | 150 | +172% |
| Toledo | $51,000 | 460 | +3% |
| Youngstown | $50,000 | 500 | +46% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $51,000 | 800 | -10% |
| Tulsa | $43,000 | 610 | -8% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $48,000 | 180 | -13% |
| Medford | $55,000 | 100 | -9% |
| Portland | $53,000 | 810 | -49% |
| Salem | $58,000 | 150 | -32% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $58,000 | 750 | +41% |
| Altoona | $53,000 | 60 | -29% |
| Harrisburg | $62,000 | 340 | -31% |
| Johnstown | $56,000 | 150 | +95% |
| Lancaster | $60,000 | 400 | +13% |
| Lebanon | $50,000 | 60 | -2% |
| Philadelphia | $59,000 | 3,310 | +11% |
| Pittsburgh | $53,000 | 1,650 | -7% |
| Reading | $59,000 | 510 | +105% |
| Scranton | $55,000 | 320 | -19% |
| State College | $49,000 | 90 | +3% |
| Williamsport | $55,000 | 90 | +28% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $62,000 | 1,200 | +39% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $45,000 | 80 | +3% |
| Charleston | $47,000 | 240 | -45% |
| Columbia | $51,000 | 460 | -14% |
| Florence | $46,000 | 150 | +34% |
| Greenville | $41,000 | 410 | -10% |
| Spartanburg | $47,000 | 270 | +61% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $48,000 | 120 | +36% |
| Sioux Falls | $38,000 | 180 | -12% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $48,000 | 400 | +16% |
| Clarksville | $45,000 | 200 | +81% |
| Cleveland | $44,000 | 50 | +12% |
| Johnson City | $45,000 | 90 | -11% |
| Kingsport | $47,000 | 200 | +13% |
| Knoxville | $46,000 | 470 | -8% |
| Memphis | $51,000 | 980 | +3% |
| Morristown | $43,000 | 40 | -35% |
| Nashville | $47,000 | 1,260 | +10% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $46,000 | 170 | +10% |
| Austin | $48,000 | 1,320 | +8% |
| Beaumont | $48,000 | 210 | -12% |
| Brownsville | $48,000 | 350 | +83% |
| College Station | $43,000 | 130 | -2% |
| Corpus Christi | $47,000 | 260 | -2% |
| Dallas | $53,000 | 2,310 | -29% |
| El Paso | $51,000 | 360 | -13% |
| Fort Worth | $50,000 | 1,680 | +25% |
| Houston | $53,000 | 3,180 | -22% |
| Killeen | $48,000 | 200 | +6% |
| Longview | $45,000 | 120 | -13% |
| Lubbock | $44,000 | 150 | -19% |
| Mcallen | $55,000 | 390 | +13% |
| San Antonio | $54,000 | 1,020 | -25% |
| Sherman | $49,000 | 40 | -27% |
| Texarkana | $44,000 | 70 | -6% |
| Tyler | $46,000 | 100 | -23% |
| Waco | $45,000 | 60 | -58% |
| Wichita Falls | $44,000 | 40 | -47% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $48,000 | 60 | -6% |
| Ogden | $50,000 | 320 | +7% |
| Salt Lake City | $51,000 | 240 | -74% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $58,000 | 170 | +5% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $49,000 | 80 | -5% |
| Charlottesville | $56,000 | 140 | +14% |
| Lynchburg | $45,000 | 140 | -2% |
| Richmond | $54,000 | 1,110 | +17% |
| Roanoke | $52,000 | 240 | +4% |
| Virginia Beach | $59,000 | 1,310 | +12% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $55,000 | 70 | -33% |
| Bremerton | $57,000 | 100 | -15% |
| Kennewick | $58,000 | 100 | -31% |
| Longview | $50,000 | 40 | -6% |
| Mount Vernon | $58,000 | 70 | +18% |
| Olympia | $57,000 | 140 | -2% |
| Seattle | $59,000 | 1,030 | -53% |
| Spokane | $55,000 | 230 | -25% |
| Tacoma | $56,000 | 380 | -5% |
| Wenatchee | $52,000 | 30 | -41% |
| Yakima | $52,000 | 60 | -50% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $43,000 | 180 | -16% |
| Huntington | $44,000 | 340 | +105% |
| Parkersburg | $46,000 | 170 | +79% |
| Wheeling | $43,000 | 140 | +55% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $54,000 | 120 | -28% |
| Eau Claire | $47,000 | 90 | -14% |
| Fond | $47,000 | 60 | +5% |
| Green Bay | $58,000 | 260 | +4% |
| La Crosse | $52,000 | 60 | -40% |
| Madison | $46,000 | 420 | -19% |
| Milwaukee | $57,000 | 600 | -53% |
| Oshkosh | $43,000 | 100 | -20% |
| Sheboygan | $49,000 | 70 | -9% |
| Wausau | $64,000 | 40 | -57% |
Wyoming
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne | $53,000 | 110 | +95% |