Salaries › Special Education Teacher › Colorado
Special Education Teacher Salary in Colorado (2026)
— per hour · take-home ≈ $58,533/year ($4,878/month) for a single filer
Colorado ranks 15th of 51 states for Special Education Teacher pay, with a median about 4% above the national average. Of the 4,010 Special Education Teacher jobs BLS counts in Colorado, the typical worker earns $74,290 a year — though pay ranges from $50,700 for newcomers to $98,480 at the top.
Special Education Teacher pay range in Colorado
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $50,700 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $61,420 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $74,290 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $81,900 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $98,480 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 4,010 Special Education Teacher jobs in Colorado (occupation code 25-2052, “Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School”).
Gross vs. take-home in Colorado
A median Special Education Teacher salary of $74,290 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Colorado state income tax, a single filer keeps about $58,533 — an effective tax rate of 21.2%.
| Gross (median) | $74,290 |
| Federal income tax | −$7,514 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,683 |
| Colorado state income tax | −$2,560 |
| Take-home (annual) | $58,533 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,878 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Colorado paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Special Education Teacher make in Colorado?
- The median Special Education Teacher salary in Colorado is $74,290 per year (— per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $61,420 and $81,900.
- What is the take-home pay for a Special Education Teacher in Colorado?
- On the median salary of $74,290, a single filer in Colorado takes home about $58,533 per year ($4,878 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 21.2%.
- How many Special Education Teacher jobs are there in Colorado?
- BLS counts 4,010 Special Education Teacher jobs in Colorado in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Special Education Teachers
Other salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado 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 Colorado.