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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Special Education Teachers, Middle School

Median Salary
66,600
Job Outlook
+4%

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Teach academic, social, and life skills to middle school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of special education teachers is projected to decline 0 percent from 2023 to 2033. Despite declining employment, about 35,900 openings for special education teachers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$39,470

10%

$66,600

Median

$95,380

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Master's degree

    46%

  • Bachelor's degree

    40%

  • Post baccalaureate

    12%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Special Education and Teaching, General
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals in Junior High/Middle School Special Education Programs
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries

Skills and Interest

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Psychology
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administrative

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

Investigative

You love figuring out how things work and researching subjects that interest you.

Artistic

You love creating things and expressing yourself through art, writing and music.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.