Secondary School Special Education Teacher Training and Jobs
Training and Education
You'll generally want a bachelor's degree for this career path. Of current employees, 87% graduated from college with degrees. Some 8% of secondary school special education teachers attened college but did not go on to get a bachelor's degree. A high school education was sufficient for 5% of workers.
Job Overview
High School special ed teachers are responsible for teaching basic literacy and life skills to students who suffer from a variety of disabilities. They work with teenagers suffering from autism, mental retardation or poor cognitive development. It is also their responsibility to adapt general education curricula to suit the students' individual needs. They also assist general teachers in teaching students with special requirements.
High School Special Ed Teachers Schools and Degrees
A bachelor’s degree is the minimum requirement in order to become a High School Special Ed Teacher. Some states even require the teachers to have a Master's degree.
Job Requirements
All High School Special Ed Teachers are required to have license in order to get a job in the field. Many states have alternative licensures as well. Special ed teachers also need to be somewhat tech savvy. Computers, audio tapes and video tapes are now often used to assist special students in their education, so teachers should be knowledgeable about how these instruments are used.
Nature of Work
High School Special Ed Teachers get to face new challenges every day. Imparting education to students with special requirements can be very emotionally rewarding, but it is physically and mentally strenuous at the same time. Special ed teachers may sometimes have to travel to their students’ homes and in order to interact with parents. They may also work in tandem with other general ed teachers in schools, teaching them how to care after their special students. They also help general ed teachers modify the curricula in order to suit the needs of special students.
Parents of students often inquire about whether or not their children are receiving adequate attention and care. This kind of stress of the job is one of the reasons why most special ed teachers retire early.
Area Job Conditions
Finding employees is easiest in Monroe (Louisiana), Shreveport (Louisiana), and Logan (Utah), and by comparison more challenging in Salem (Oregon), Salt Lake City (Utah), and Phoenix (Arizona).
The pay is best in Nassau (New York), Washington (District of Columbia), and Bridgeport (Connecticut) and worst in Provo (Utah), Iowa City (Iowa), and Logan (Utah).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Secondary school special education teachers working part-time accounted for 10% of those employed in 2008.
Career Videos
Secondary School Special Education 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $44,000 | 30 | -21% |
| Birmingham | $49,000 | 290 | -43% |
| Dothan | $45,000 | 70 | +35% |
| Florence | $40,000 | 50 | +15% |
| Montgomery | $40,000 | 150 | -6% |
| Tuscaloosa | $43,000 | 40 | -50% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flagstaff | $49,000 | 60 | +27% |
| Phoenix | $45,000 | 470 | -74% |
| Prescott | $52,000 | 30 | -45% |
| Tucson | $43,000 | 270 | -24% |
| Yuma | $48,000 | 60 | +14% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | $46,000 | 120 | +11% |
| Hot Springs | $43,000 | 30 | -2% |
| Jonesboro | $44,000 | 60 | +43% |
| Little Rock | $50,000 | 380 | +16% |
| Pine Bluff | $42,000 | 30 | +10% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chico | $64,000 | 40 | -35% |
| El Centro | $73,000 | 140 | +221% |
| Fresno | $51,000 | 270 | -16% |
| Merced | 30 | -39% | |
| Modesto | $70,000 | 320 | +108% |
| Oakland | $68,000 | 740 | -27% |
| Oxnard | $64,000 | 300 | +5% |
| Riverside | $59,000 | 1,150 | -8% |
| Sacramento | $62,000 | 590 | -32% |
| San Diego | $72,000 | 810 | -38% |
| San Francisco | $57,000 | 360 | -63% |
| San Jose | $66,000 | 510 | -44% |
| San Luis Obispo | $51,000 | 70 | -22% |
| Santa Ana | $71,000 | 820 | -45% |
| Santa Barbara | $61,000 | 180 | +14% |
| Santa Cruz | $68,000 | 90 | +14% |
| Santa Rosa | $68,000 | 90 | -48% |
| Stockton | $63,000 | 220 | +9% |
| Vallejo | $62,000 | 280 | +149% |
| Visalia | $76,000 | 120 | -4% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $46,000 | 230 | -4% |
| Denver | $56,000 | 740 | -40% |
| Greeley | $46,000 | 60 | -10% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $74,000 | 820 | +93% |
| Danbury | $63,000 | 60 | -4% |
| Hartford | $69,000 | 620 | +10% |
| New Haven | $62,000 | 400 | +49% |
| Norwich | $63,000 | 250 | +118% |
| Waterbury | $70,000 | 130 | +117% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $61,000 | 290 | -9% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $78,000 | 3,230 | +42% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $52,000 | 930 | +58% |
| Orlando | $46,000 | 880 | -15% |
| Tallahassee | $50,000 | 110 | -28% |
| Tampa | $54,000 | 730 | -39% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $48,000 | 30 | -43% |
| Atlanta | $54,000 | 4,090 | +75% |
| Augusta | $51,000 | 300 | +54% |
| Valdosta | $48,000 | 210 | +337% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $49,000 | 120 | +93% |
| Champaign | $48,000 | 90 | +6% |
| Chicago | $73,000 | 2,570 | -32% |
| Kankakee | $49,000 | 60 | +93% |
| Peoria | $47,000 | 150 | -6% |
| Rockford | $52,000 | 120 | -15% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | $48,000 | 70 | +111% |
| Bloomington | $48,000 | 40 | -34% |
| Elkhart | $50,000 | 60 | -50% |
| Evansville | $47,000 | 80 | -51% |
| Fort Wayne | $47,000 | 160 | -21% |
| Gary | $49,000 | 260 | -3% |
| Indianapolis | $53,000 | 550 | -37% |
| Michigan City | $54,000 | 30 | -17% |
| South Bend | $48,000 | 100 | -21% |
| Terre Haute | $50,000 | 70 | +14% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $41,000 | 350 | +181% |
| Davenport | $46,000 | 200 | +16% |
| Des Moines | $45,000 | 280 | -11% |
| Iowa City | $34,000 | 60 | -5% |
| Sioux City | $40,000 | 100 | +59% |
| Waterloo | $42,000 | 230 | +200% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $45,000 | 70 | +83% |
| Topeka | $56,000 | 170 | +69% |
| Wichita | $45,000 | 140 | -52% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $47,000 | 160 | -31% |
| Louisville | $51,000 | 660 | +10% |
| Owensboro | $48,000 | 80 | +95% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $45,000 | 1,400 | +293% |
| Monroe | $44,000 | 350 | +403% |
| New Orleans | $48,000 | 1,640 | +230% |
| Shreveport | $47,000 | 780 | +372% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $45,000 | 70 | +25% |
| Lewiston | $42,000 | 60 | +43% |
| Portland | $47,000 | 250 | +30% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $60,000 | 1,410 | +10% |
| Bethesda | $61,000 | 640 | +15% |
| Hagerstown | $42,000 | 110 | +22% |
| Salisbury | $55,000 | 60 | +33% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $52,000 | 180 | +98% |
| Boston | $60,000 | 1,860 | +10% |
| Brockton | $61,000 | 70 | -13% |
| Framingham | $60,000 | 150 | -1% |
| Haverhill | $54,000 | 100 | +46% |
| Leominster | $58,000 | 90 | +111% |
| Lowell | $59,000 | 160 | +44% |
| New Bedford | $63,000 | 140 | +147% |
| Pittsfield | $56,000 | 60 | +123% |
| Springfield | $53,000 | 530 | +84% |
| Taunton | $61,000 | 40 | +2% |
| Worcester | $57,000 | 480 | +103% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $55,000 | 60 | -61% |
| Battle Creek | $56,000 | 40 | -3% |
| Detroit | $46,000 | 700 | +1% |
| Flint | $66,000 | 280 | +121% |
| Grand Rapids | $55,000 | 430 | +17% |
| Holland | $62,000 | 60 | -35% |
| Jackson | $45,000 | 50 | +12% |
| Kalamazoo | $52,000 | 70 | -44% |
| Lansing | $56,000 | 190 | +4% |
| Muskegon | $57,000 | 110 | +110% |
| Niles | $51,000 | 30 | -44% |
| Warren | $65,000 | 610 | -46% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $49,000 | 140 | +19% |
| Minneapolis | $55,000 | 2,550 | +45% |
| Rochester | $48,000 | 110 | +32% |
| St Cloud | $55,000 | 140 | +51% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport | $48,000 | 70 | -29% |
| Hattiesburg | $42,000 | 50 | +2% |
| Jackson | $46,000 | 150 | -38% |
| Pascagoula | $48,000 | 40 | +1% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $38,000 | 70 | -4% |
| Jefferson City | $41,000 | 120 | +99% |
| Joplin | $39,000 | 90 | +26% |
| Kansas City | $48,000 | 1,080 | +7% |
| Springfield | $41,000 | 220 | +19% |
| St Joseph | $39,000 | 60 | +41% |
| St Louis | $55,000 | 2,610 | +96% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $43,000 | 80 | +11% |
| Great Falls | $42,000 | 50 | +77% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $46,000 | 190 | +24% |
| Omaha | $46,000 | 360 | -20% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $49,000 | 70 | -27% |
| Nashua | $50,000 | 120 | -7% |
| Rochester | $50,000 | 30 | -39% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $62,000 | 180 | +31% |
| Camden | $61,000 | 900 | +74% |
| Edison | $62,000 | 1,400 | +38% |
| Newark | $69,000 | 1,130 | +14% |
| Trenton | $70,000 | 330 | +62% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $50,000 | 400 | +6% |
| Farmington | $48,000 | 80 | +79% |
| Las Cruces | $54,000 | 150 | +181% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $59,000 | 740 | +74% |
| Binghamton | $58,000 | 160 | +65% |
| Buffalo | $63,000 | 710 | +35% |
| Elmira | $52,000 | 60 | +107% |
| Glens Falls | $57,000 | 110 | +144% |
| Ithaca | $61,000 | 80 | +125% |
| Kingston | $69,000 | 150 | +191% |
| Nassau | $86,000 | 2,740 | +122% |
| New York | $72,000 | 7,890 | +56% |
| Poughkeepsie | $67,000 | 540 | +137% |
| Rochester | $57,000 | 1,250 | +156% |
| Syracuse | $60,000 | 600 | +101% |
| Utica | $57,000 | 200 | +70% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $45,000 | 170 | +1% |
| Charlotte | $46,000 | 420 | -52% |
| Durham | $46,000 | 140 | -47% |
| Fayetteville | $40,000 | 260 | +132% |
| Greensboro | $40,000 | 320 | -11% |
| Greenville | $44,000 | 40 | -36% |
| Hickory | $46,000 | 130 | -15% |
| Raleigh | $47,000 | 420 | -16% |
| Rocky Mount | $40,000 | 60 | +19% |
| Winston Salem | $42,000 | 250 | +22% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $49,000 | 40 | -18% |
| Fargo | $54,000 | 120 | +13% |
| Grand Forks | $50,000 | 60 | +47% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $54,000 | 730 | +124% |
| Canton | $52,000 | 390 | +139% |
| Cincinnati | $54,000 | 1,750 | +71% |
| Cleveland | $62,000 | 2,370 | +127% |
| Columbus | $58,000 | 1,620 | +77% |
| Dayton | $54,000 | 830 | +119% |
| Lima | $47,000 | 60 | +34% |
| Mansfield | $47,000 | 140 | +215% |
| Sandusky | $50,000 | 110 | +281% |
| Springfield | $55,000 | 40 | +0% |
| Toledo | $48,000 | 600 | +100% |
| Youngstown | $49,000 | 680 | +205% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $43,000 | 230 | -58% |
| Tulsa | $46,000 | 410 | -3% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bend | $47,000 | 60 | 0% |
| Eugene | $54,000 | 90 | -35% |
| Medford | $54,000 | 60 | -20% |
| Portland | $54,000 | 960 | -6% |
| Salem | $56,000 | 50 | -64% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $57,000 | 590 | +81% |
| Altoona | $51,000 | 40 | -23% |
| Erie | $54,000 | 140 | +21% |
| Harrisburg | $50,000 | 310 | +2% |
| Johnstown | $48,000 | 70 | +44% |
| Lancaster | $54,000 | 250 | +11% |
| Lebanon | $50,000 | 50 | +28% |
| Philadelphia | $57,000 | 2,030 | +9% |
| Pittsburgh | $58,000 | 1,040 | -7% |
| Reading | $56,000 | 230 | +49% |
| Scranton | $51,000 | 230 | -7% |
| State College | $55,000 | 40 | -17% |
| Williamsport | $56,000 | 40 | -7% |
| York | $55,000 | 180 | +6% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $66,000 | 690 | +25% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $38,000 | 260 | -7% |
| Columbia | $48,000 | 210 | -38% |
| Spartanburg | $53,000 | 80 | -29% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $42,000 | 70 | +29% |
| Sioux Falls | $37,000 | 110 | -14% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $43,000 | 190 | -14% |
| Clarksville | $51,000 | 80 | +20% |
| Cleveland | $42,000 | 60 | +106% |
| Jackson | $47,000 | 50 | +1% |
| Johnson City | $45,000 | 90 | +37% |
| Kingsport | $42,000 | 100 | -4% |
| Knoxville | $44,000 | 190 | -41% |
| Memphis | $43,000 | 1,280 | +111% |
| Morristown | $43,000 | 50 | +27% |
| Nashville | $44,000 | 550 | -27% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene | $41,000 | 60 | +11% |
| Austin | $43,000 | 290 | -61% |
| Beaumont | $45,000 | 150 | +2% |
| College Station | $41,000 | 80 | +17% |
| Corpus Christi | $43,000 | 190 | +15% |
| Dallas | $50,000 | 1,460 | -30% |
| El Paso | $48,000 | 220 | -13% |
| Fort Worth | $49,000 | 480 | -43% |
| Houston | $48,000 | 970 | -62% |
| Killeen | $43,000 | 50 | -54% |
| Longview | $43,000 | 70 | -17% |
| Lubbock | 100 | -10% | |
| Mcallen | $48,000 | 140 | -33% |
| San Antonio | $48,000 | 540 | -35% |
| Sherman | $42,000 | 40 | +23% |
| Waco | $43,000 | 80 | -8% |
| Wichita Falls | $43,000 | 40 | -20% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $32,000 | 170 | +339% |
| Ogden | $46,000 | 120 | -36% |
| Provo | $36,000 | 110 | -29% |
| Salt Lake City | $42,000 | 210 | -66% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $50,000 | 170 | +69% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksburg | $50,000 | 80 | +51% |
| Charlottesville | $51,000 | 100 | +19% |
| Danville | 50 | +76% | |
| Lynchburg | $45,000 | 70 | -23% |
| Richmond | $52,000 | 620 | +6% |
| Roanoke | $44,000 | 100 | -32% |
| Virginia Beach | $49,000 | 930 | +26% |
| Winchester | $47,000 | 190 | +325% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $47,000 | 50 | -29% |
| Bremerton | $55,000 | 50 | -32% |
| Kennewick | $53,000 | 50 | -38% |
| Longview | $59,000 | 30 | +13% |
| Olympia | $52,000 | 70 | -17% |
| Seattle | $54,000 | 710 | -50% |
| Spokane | $51,000 | 150 | -24% |
| Tacoma | $55,000 | 190 | -26% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $36,000 | 330 | +145% |
| Huntington | $45,000 | 170 | +64% |
| Parkersburg | $48,000 | 90 | +47% |
| Weirton | $46,000 | 60 | +71% |
| Wheeling | $40,000 | 100 | +81% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $53,000 | 150 | +44% |
| Eau Claire | $49,000 | 140 | +106% |
| Fond | $53,000 | 30 | -18% |
| Green Bay | $59,000 | 160 | +2% |
| Janesville | $49,000 | 80 | +41% |
| Madison | $52,000 | 330 | +3% |
| Milwaukee | $61,000 | 360 | -57% |
| Oshkosh | $50,000 | 70 | -7% |
| Sheboygan | $50,000 | 90 | +84% |