Career comparison
School Counselor 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. $64,330), while special education teachers usually get to work faster (4 years plus licensing of training). School counselors help students succeed academically, socially and in planning their futures. 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
| School Counselor | Special Education Teacher | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $64,330 ($30.93/hr) | $65,120 |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $45,020 – $104,770 | $49,350 – $103,010 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +2.9% (about as fast as average) | -0.4% (little or no change) |
| Openings per year | 27,800 | 16,400 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s | 4 years plus licensing |
| Key credential | State school counselor certification | State special education license |
| Work setting | Counselors work in schools, colleges and career centers, in offices and classrooms.. | Special education teachers work in resource rooms, self-contained classrooms and general education classrooms, with meetings and paperwork.. |
What each job does
School Counselor
- Meet with students individually and in groups
- Help with academic and graduation planning
- Guide college and career planning
- Support social and emotional needs
- Respond to crises
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 problem-solving. Both are part of the education & childcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose school counselor if…
- I want to help students succeed
- I’m a good listener
- I can handle emotional situations
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 School Counselor fit quiz and the Special Education Teacher fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, school counselor or special education teacher?
Special Education Teachers earn more at the median: $65,120 versus $64,330 for school counselors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Special Education Teachers typically train faster (4 years plus licensing) than school counselors (Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects school counselors to grow +2.9% from 2025–35, compared with -0.4% for special education teachers.