Salaries › Special Education Teacher › California
Special Education Teacher Salary in California (2026)
— per hour · take-home ≈ $72,229/year ($6,019/month) for a single filer
California is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Special Education Teachers (2nd of 51), with a median about 36% above the national average. Of the 23,280 Special Education Teacher jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $97,170 a year — though pay ranges from $63,180 for newcomers to $123,590 at the top.
Special Education Teacher pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $63,180 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $76,700 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $97,170 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $108,320 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $123,590 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 23,280 Special Education Teacher jobs in California (occupation code 25-2052, “Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Special Education Teacher salary of $97,170 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $72,229 — an effective tax rate of 25.7%.
| Gross (median) | $97,170 |
| Federal income tax | −$12,547 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$7,434 |
| California state income tax | −$4,960 |
| Take-home (annual) | $72,229 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $6,019 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Special Education Teacher make in California?
- The median Special Education Teacher salary in California is $97,170 per year (— per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $76,700 and $108,320.
- What is the take-home pay for a Special Education Teacher in California?
- On the median salary of $97,170, a single filer in California takes home about $72,229 per year ($6,019 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 25.7%.
- How many Special Education Teacher jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 23,280 Special Education Teacher jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Special Education Teachers
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.