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Public K-12 Education
New York City Public Schools, Chicago Public Schools, Los Angeles Unified School District
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Special education teachers in secondary school work with teenagers who need instruction tailored to disabilities, learning differences, or behavior needs. The job stands out because it mixes teaching with constant coordination: writing IEPs, adjusting lessons, and working closely with families and school staff. The tradeoff is meaningful, hands-on work that can be deeply rewarding, but it also comes with heavy documentation, behavior management, and a small projected decline in overall employment.
Also known as Special Education TeacherSpecial Ed TeacherSPED TeacherSpecial Education Resource TeacherSpecial Education Classroom Teacher
Median Salary
$69,590
Mean $74,610
U.S. Workforce
~163K
11.1K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-1.6%
164.2K to 161.5K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Special Education Teachers, Secondary 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 ~163K workers, with a median annual pay of $69,590 and roughly 11.1K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 164.2 K in 2024 to 161.5K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Special Education Paraprofessional and can progress toward Special Education Coordinator. High-value skills usually include Instructing, Learning Strategies, and Reading Comprehension, paired with soft skills such as Patience, Empathy, and Clear communication.
Core Responsibilities
- Plan lessons with other teachers and school staff so students get instruction that fits their needs.
- Work with parents, counselors, testing staff, and administrators to write and update each student’s individual education plan.
- Change teaching methods and classroom activities to help students build language, memory, thinking, and motor skills.
- Set clear behavior rules and keep the classroom organized and safe.
Keep exploring: more Education careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Plan lessons with other teachers and school staff so students get instruction that fits their needs.
02 Work with parents, counselors, testing staff, and administrators to write and update each student’s individual education plan.
03 Change teaching methods and classroom activities to help students build language, memory, thinking, and motor skills.
04 Set clear behavior rules and keep the classroom organized and safe.
05 Watch student progress, keep records, and adjust support when a strategy is not working.
06 Meet with families to explain supports, connect them with community resources, and coach them on ways to help at home.
Industries That Hire
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Charter School Networks
KIPP, IDEA Public Schools, Success Academy
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Private Schools
Fusion Academy, Landmark School, The Winchendon School
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Special Education Schools
Riverview School, New York Institute for Special Education, Eagle Hill School
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Educational Support Services
FullBloom, Catapult Learning, Specialized Education Services
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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Median pay is $69,590 a year, which is solid for a school-based role that does not require prior work experience or on-the-job training.
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You get to work closely with students and see progress in reading, behavior, communication, and confidence.
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The role is highly specific, so your day is more varied than a standard classroom teacher’s day.
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Annual openings are projected at 11.1 thousand, so there should be regular turnover-based hiring even with slow growth.
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The work combines teaching, coaching, and family support, which can be a good fit if you like direct human interaction and problem-solving.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to fall by 1.6% from 2024 to 2034, so this is not a growth-heavy field.
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The job comes with a lot of documentation, especially IEP paperwork and progress records, which can take time away from teaching.
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Behavior challenges and emotional strain are common, and the work can be draining when students need intensive support.
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Pay can lag behind the amount of responsibility, especially compared with the coordination and compliance demands of the job.
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Career growth can flatten unless you move into department leadership or administration, so there is a fairly limited ceiling for people who want to stay in classroom-based work.
Career Progression
Special Education Paraprofessional
0-2 years
$30K-$40K
Supports teachers, helps students one on one, and learns how individualized education plans work before stepping into a licensed teaching role.
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School
2-8 years
$58K-$82K
Teaches classes, adapts lessons, writes IEPs, and works with families and specialists to support students with disabilities.
Senior Special Education Teacher THIS ROLE
8-12 years
$83K-$96K
Handles more complex cases, mentors newer teachers, and takes on tougher planning and family meetings.
Special Education Department Chair
12-16 years
$97K-$111K
Coordinates teachers, schedules services, and helps manage compliance, staffing, and program quality for the department.
Special Education Coordinator
16+ years
$112K-$130K
Oversees special education services across a school or district and spends more time on policy, staffing, and program oversight than classroom teaching.
Education Paths
Bachelor’s degree in special education or a related field
The largest path in the data, used by 42.35% of workers in this role.
Master’s degree in special education, education, or a related field
A very common route for this job, used by 42.17% of workers.
Post-baccalaureate certificate in special education
A smaller but real route into the field, used by 15.0% of workers.
State-approved alternative certification or licensure program
A practical option for people who already have a bachelor’s degree and need a teaching license.
Key Skills
Technical
Instructing 82%
Learning Strategies 82%
Reading Comprehension 80%
Speaking 80%
Active Listening 78%
Coordination 78%
Monitoring 78%
Service Orientation 78%
IEP Development & Special Education Compliance 76%
Progress Monitoring & Documentation in PowerSchool or Infinite Campus 74%
Assistive Technology (AAC, Text-to-Speech, Speech-to-Text) 72%
Google Classroom, Canvas & Microsoft 365 70%
Soft Skills
PatienceEmpathyClear communicationOrganizationFlexibilityRelationship building Job Outlook and Trends
+-1.6%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
11.1K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 164.2K to 161.5 K over the next decade, representing -1.6% growth. Around 11.1 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.