Education & Childcare career

High School Special Education Teacher

Also called: Secondary Special Education Teacher · Transition Teacher · Life Skills Teacher · High School Resource Teacher

What high school special education teachers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a high school special education teacher do?

Special education teachers, secondary school, teach students with disabilities in high school and help them prepare for work, college and independent living. The median pay is $74,260 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years plus licensure, and employment is projected to grow -0.2% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $74,260
    Annual salary · May 2025
  • Job growth
    -0.2%
    2025–35, little or no change
  • Openings per year
    10,400
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Bachelor's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    4 years plus licensure
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    164,800
    Employment, 2025

What high school special education teachers do

High school special education teachers help students with disabilities finish school and plan their futures. They co-teach and teach resource classes, write IEPs with transition plans, teach life and job skills, coordinate with vocational rehabilitation and help students advocate for themselves.

Most have a bachelor’s degree and a state special education license. Students can receive services until age 21.

Typical duties

  • Teach and co-teach classes
  • Write IEPs with transition plans
  • Teach life and job skills
  • Coordinate work experiences
  • Track credits toward graduation
  • Connect families to adult services
  • Adapt lessons and tests

Work environment and schedule

Teachers work in high school classrooms, resource rooms and community job sites.

Schedule: School-year schedule with some community visits.

A day in the life

  1. Review credit status for seniors.
  2. Co-teach English.
  3. Teach a life skills class.
  4. Visit a student at a job site.

See a full day in the life of a high school special education teacher →

High School Special Education Teacher salary

Half of high school special education teachers earned more than $74,260 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $49,800 for the lowest 10% to $109,100 for the top 10%.

Full high school special education teacher pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a high school special education teacher

  1. Earn a bachelor’s
  2. Student teach
  3. Pass licensing exams
  4. Get licensed
  5. Specialize

A bachelor’s degree and a state special education license are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a high school special education teacher →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Transition planning
  • IEP writing
  • Co-teaching
  • Life skills instruction
  • Credit tracking

People skills

  • Advocacy
  • Patience
  • Collaboration
  • Organization

All high school special education teacher skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Help students launch adult lives
  • Strong demand
  • Varied work
  • School calendar

Cons

  • Heavy paperwork
  • Graduation pressure
  • Coordinating many agencies
  • Behavior challenges

Certifications and licenses

  • State special education license: Required.
  • Content endorsement: For co-taught subjects.
  • Transition specialist training: Valued.
  • Crisis prevention training: Common.

Career path

  1. Special Education Teacher: Caseload.
  2. Transition Specialist: Lead transition.
  3. Special Education Coordinator: District role.
  4. Special Education Director: Lead programs.

Learn the job before day one

Our High School Special Education Teacher training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as write a transition plan students own and set up a community work experience, safety and how to land your first job.

View High School Special Education Teacher trainingIs this career right for me?

Special Education Teacher

Teach and support students with disabilities so they can learn and thrive.

  • $65,120
  • 4 years plus licensing

High School Teacher

Teach teenagers a subject and prepare them for college, careers and life.

  • $72,040
  • 4 years plus licensing

Rehabilitation Counselor

Help people with disabilities live independently and find meaningful work.

  • $46,850
  • 6 years (bachelor’s + master’s)

Compare: High School Special Ed Teacher vs. Special Ed Teacher · High School Special Ed Teacher vs. High School Teacher · High School Special Ed Teacher vs. Rehabilitation Counselor · High School Special Ed Teacher vs. Middle School Special Education Teacher

High School Special Education Teacher FAQ

How long can students receive services?

Up to age 21 in most states, or until they graduate with a regular diploma.

What is a transition plan?

Part of the IEP that plans for work, school and living after high school.

Is there demand?

Yes, many states report shortages.

How much does a high school special education teacher make?

The median annual wage for high school special education teachers was $74,260 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $49,800 and the highest 10% earned more than $109,100.

How long does it take to become a high school special education teacher?

Most people need about 4 years plus licensure of training. A bachelor’s degree and a state special education license are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a high school special education teacher?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

More high school special education teacher questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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