Salaries › Special Education Teacher › Illinois
Special Education Teacher Salary in Illinois (2026)
— per hour · take-home ≈ $59,816/year ($4,985/month) for a single filer
Illinois ranks 10th of 51 states for Special Education Teacher pay, with a median about 9% above the national average. Of the 14,040 Special Education Teacher jobs BLS counts in Illinois, the typical worker earns $77,960 a year — though pay ranges from $49,790 for newcomers to $104,490 at the top.
Special Education Teacher pay range in Illinois
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $49,790 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $60,700 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $77,960 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $97,370 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $104,490 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 14,040 Special Education Teacher jobs in Illinois (occupation code 25-2052, “Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School”).
Gross vs. take-home in Illinois
A median Special Education Teacher salary of $77,960 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Illinois state income tax, a single filer keeps about $59,816 — an effective tax rate of 23.3%.
| Gross (median) | $77,960 |
| Federal income tax | −$8,321 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,964 |
| Illinois state income tax | −$3,859 |
| Take-home (annual) | $59,816 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,985 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Illinois paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Special Education Teacher make in Illinois?
- The median Special Education Teacher salary in Illinois is $77,960 per year (— per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $60,700 and $97,370.
- What is the take-home pay for a Special Education Teacher in Illinois?
- On the median salary of $77,960, a single filer in Illinois takes home about $59,816 per year ($4,985 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 23.3%.
- How many Special Education Teacher jobs are there in Illinois?
- BLS counts 14,040 Special Education Teacher jobs in Illinois in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Special Education Teachers
Other salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois 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 Illinois.