Career comparison
High School Special Education Teacher vs. Special Education Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
High school special education teachers earn more at the median ($74,260 vs. $65,120), while high school special education teachers usually get to work faster (4 years plus licensure of training). High school special education teachers help high school students with disabilities graduate and plan for life after school. 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
| High School Special Education Teacher | Special Education Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $74,260 | $65,120 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,800 – $109,100 | $49,350 – $103,010 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.2% (little or no change) | -0.4% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 10,400 | 16,400 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years plus licensure | 4 years plus licensing |
| Key credential | State special education license | State special education license |
| Work setting | Teachers work in high school classrooms, resource rooms and community job sites.. | Special education teachers work in resource rooms, self-contained classrooms and general education classrooms, with meetings and paperwork.. |
What each job does
High School Special Education Teacher
- Teach and co-teach classes
- Write IEPs with transition plans
- Teach life and job skills
- Coordinate work experiences
- Track credits toward graduation
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, and teamwork. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose high school special education teacher if…
- I connect with teenagers
- I care about life after school
- I advocate for students
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 High School Special Education Teacher fit quiz and the Special Education Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, high school special education teacher or special education teacher?
High School Special Education Teachers earn more at the median: $74,260 versus $65,120 for special education teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
High School Special Education Teachers typically train faster (4 years plus licensure) than special education teachers (4 years plus licensing).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects high school special education teachers to grow -0.2% from 2025–35, compared with -0.4% for special education teachers.