Career comparison
Elementary School Teacher vs. Special Education Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Special education teachers earn more at the median ($65,120 vs. $63,970), while elementary school teachers usually get to work faster (4 years plus licensing of training). Elementary school teachers teach children in grades 1 through 5 the foundations of every subject. Special education teachers teach and support students with disabilities so they can learn and thrive.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Elementary School Teacher | Special Education Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $63,970 | $65,120 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $47,960 – $104,340 | $49,350 – $103,010 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.4% (little or no change) | -0.4% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 87,500 | 16,400 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years plus licensing | 4 years plus licensing |
| Key credential | State teaching license | State special education license |
| Work setting | Teachers work in elementary school classrooms, with time in meetings and duties around the school.. | Special education teachers work in resource rooms, self-contained classrooms and general education classrooms, with meetings and paperwork.. |
What each job does
Elementary School Teacher
- Plan and teach lessons in core subjects
- Assess and grade student work
- Manage classroom behavior
- Differentiate instruction
- Communicate with families
Special Education Teacher
- Assess students’ needs and progress
- Write and implement IEPs
- Adapt lessons and materials
- Teach individuals and small groups
- Co-teach in general education classes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, indoor work, and teamwork. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose elementary school teacher if…
- I want to help children learn
- I enjoy teaching many subjects
- I’m organized
Choose special education teacher if…
- I want to help students with disabilities
- I’m patient and persistent
- I like individualized teaching
Still torn? Take the Elementary School Teacher fit quiz and the Special Education Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, elementary school teacher or special education teacher?
Special Education Teachers earn more at the median: $65,120 versus $63,970 for elementary school teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Elementary School Teachers typically train faster (4 years plus licensing) than special education teachers (4 years plus licensing).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects elementary school teachers to grow -0.4% from 2025–35, compared with -0.4% for special education teachers.