Career comparison
Middle School Special Education Teacher vs. Middle School Teacher
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Middle school special education teachers earn more at the median ($66,810 vs. $64,370), while middle school special education teachers usually get to work faster (4 years plus licensure of training). Middle school special education teachers help middle school students with disabilities learn and grow. Middle school teachers teach students in grades 6 through 8 through big changes in learning and life.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Middle School Special Education Teacher | Middle School Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $66,810 | $64,370 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,420 – $102,510 | $48,080 – $102,540 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -0.4% (little or no change) | -0.4% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 6,000 | 38,800 |
| 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 teaching license |
| Work setting | Teachers work in middle school classrooms, resource rooms and co-taught classes.. | Middle school teachers work in classrooms and labs, moving between classes, meetings and duties.. |
What each job does
Middle School Special Education Teacher
- Co-teach in general classes
- Teach small resource groups
- Write and manage IEPs
- Adapt lessons and tests
- Track progress
Middle School Teacher
- Plan and teach subject lessons
- Grade assignments and tests
- Manage classroom behavior
- Support study skills and organization
- Differentiate instruction
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, teamwork, and high responsibility. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose middle school special education teacher if…
- I connect with young teens
- I’m patient
- I advocate for students
Choose middle school teacher if…
- I love a particular subject
- I can relate to preteens
- I’m patient and consistent
Still torn? Take the Middle School Special Education Teacher fit quiz and the Middle School Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, middle school special education teacher or middle school teacher?
Middle School Special Education Teachers earn more at the median: $66,810 versus $64,370 for middle school teachers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Middle School Special Education Teachers typically train faster (4 years plus licensure) than middle school teachers (4 years plus licensing).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects middle school special education teachers to grow -0.4% from 2025–35, compared with -0.4% for middle school teachers.