Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $97,170 | $71,377 | +36% |
| Median hourly wage | $46.72 | $34.32 | +36% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $87,778.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Special Education Teacher in California is $97,170, or about $46.72 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Special Education Teachers is $71,377. California is +36% above the national median.
Entry-level special education teachers in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 23,280 special education teacher jobs on record and a median salary of $97,170, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.