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Public school districts
New York City Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools, Los Angeles Unified School District
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
This teacher works with young children who need extra support because of learning, behavior, or developmental disabilities. The job is hands-on and highly individualized: you adjust lessons, write and update education plans, and keep families and specialists aligned on each student's progress. The tradeoff is that the work is rewarding but also paperwork-heavy, emotionally demanding, and tightly tied to school rules and deadlines.
Also known as Special Education TeacherElementary Special Education TeacherK-5 Special Education TeacherSpecial Education Resource TeacherLearning Support Teacher
Median Salary
$63,000
Mean $70,150
U.S. Workforce
~232K
15.4K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-1.8%
230.2K to 226.1K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School sits in the Education category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~232K workers, with a median annual pay of $63,000 and roughly 15.4K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 230.2 K in 2024 to 226.1K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree in special education or elementary education with licensure, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Paraprofessional / Teacher Assistant and can progress toward Director of Special Education. High-value skills usually include IEP Management Software & Special Education Documentation, Progress Monitoring Tools (AIMSweb, i-Ready, DIBELS), and Behavior Intervention Plans & Data Tracking, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Instructing, and Speaking.
Core Responsibilities
- Work with parents, school staff, and specialists to build and update each student's learning plan.
- Adjust lessons, classroom activities, and support strategies so students with different disabilities can take part and make progress.
- Watch how students behave, learn, and interact, then use that information to decide what help they need next.
- Keep detailed records on student progress, services, and required paperwork for the school and district.
Keep exploring: more Education careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Work with parents, school staff, and specialists to build and update each student's learning plan.
02 Adjust lessons, classroom activities, and support strategies so students with different disabilities can take part and make progress.
03 Watch how students behave, learn, and interact, then use that information to decide what help they need next.
04 Keep detailed records on student progress, services, and required paperwork for the school and district.
05 Use positive reinforcement and behavior plans to help children practice safer, more appropriate classroom behavior.
06 Prepare materials and guide teacher aides so classroom support matches each child's needs.
Industries That Hire
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Charter school networks
KIPP, Success Academy, Aspire Public Schools
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Private and independent schools
BASIS Independent Schools, Fusion Academy, The Spence School
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Early childhood and K-5 education providers
KinderCare Learning Companies, Bright Horizons, The Goddard School
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Educational support and intervention services
Catapult Learning, Learn It Academic Services, EdisonLearning
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Nonprofit disability and child services
Easterseals, Boys Town, United Cerebral Palsy
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You work directly with children and families, so the feedback on your work is immediate and personal.
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There are still plenty of openings: the occupation is projected to have 15.4K annual openings, even with slower overall growth.
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You can enter with a bachelor's degree and no required work experience, which makes the path clear for new graduates.
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The work stays varied because you teach, document, plan, and problem-solve instead of repeating the same routine all day.
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Pay is solid for a school-based role, with a mean annual salary of $70,150 and a median of $63,000.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to slip from about 231.6K workers to 226.1K by 2034, a decline of 1.8%, so growth is not the main driver of hiring.
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A lot of the job is paperwork and compliance work, including IEPs, records, and meetings that take time away from teaching.
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The emotional load is real: you are constantly responding to behavior issues, family concerns, and uneven student progress.
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School budgets and staffing shortages can increase caseloads and make support inconsistent from one district to the next.
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Advancement can stall unless you move into coordination or administration, which often means earning more credentials or leaving the classroom.
Career Progression
Paraprofessional / Teacher Assistant
0-2 years
$30K-$40K
Many people start by supporting a classroom, helping with small groups, and learning how special education services work day to day.
Special Education Teacher
2-7 years
$58K-$76K
You teach kindergarten or elementary students directly, write and update IEPs, and manage both academic goals and behavior support.
Lead Special Education Teacher THIS ROLE
7-12 years
$77K-$92K
At this level, you may handle more complex caseloads, mentor newer teachers, and take the lead on family and specialist coordination.
Special Education Coordinator
10-15 years
$93K-$112K
This role focuses more on program planning, compliance, staffing, and making sure services across classrooms meet district standards.
Director of Special Education
15+ years
$113K-$140K
Directors oversee special education programs, budgets, compliance, and staffing across one school or an entire district.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree in special education or elementary education with licensure
The most common entry point, held by 51.39% of workers in this role.
Master's degree in special education, inclusive education, or a related field
A frequent path, held by 37.67% of workers in this role, and it can help with pay, specialization, and advancement.
Alternative certification plus state teaching licensure
Some districts hire career changers through alternate routes, but you still need classroom training and the right state license.
Post-baccalaureate certificate or endorsement in special education
This is a smaller-slice option for licensed teachers who want to add special education credentials without starting over.
Key Skills
Technical
IEP Management Software & Special Education Documentation 92%
Progress Monitoring Tools (AIMSweb, i-Ready, DIBELS) 86%
Behavior Intervention Plans & Data Tracking 84%
Assistive Technology, AAC & Accessibility Tools 82%
Student Information Systems (Infinite Campus, PowerSchool, Skyward) 80%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningInstructingSpeakingLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessCritical Thinking Job Outlook and Trends
+-1.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
15.4K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 230.2K to 226.1 K over the next decade, representing -1.8% growth. Around 15.4 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.