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Elementary Special Education Teacher

💰 Earn $73K-$105K
📚 Bachelor Degree
⏱️ 24–48 Month Training
📈 -1.8% Job Growth
  • Inspire young minds by teaching essential skills to students with diverse needs.
  • Make a lasting impact by empowering students to overcome learning challenges.
  • Unique role in adapting education for students with visual or hearing impairments.
Elementary Special Education Teacher
What Elementary Special Education Teachers DoTeach academic, social, and life skills to elementary school students with learning, emotional, or physical disabilities. Includes teachers who specialize and work with students who are blind or have visual impairments; students who are deaf or have hearing impairments; and students with intellectual disabilities.
  • Administer standardized ability and achievement tests to elementary students with special needs.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, or teacher training workshops to maintain or improve professional competence.
  • Collaborate with other teachers or administrators to develop, evaluate, or revise elementary school programs.
  • Confer with other staff members to plan or schedule lessons promoting learning, following approved curricula.
  • Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, or social development.
Elementary Special Education Teachers Education, Salary, and Growth
Minimum EducationBachelor Degree
Career ProspectsSteady (Staying constant (within 1%))
Training Time2 to 4 years
Job Openings15,400 Annually
Median Earnings
$90,530 in California
$63,000 Nationally

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Real Talk Reel

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Is This Career Right For You?
YOU Like
  • Being creative or artistic
  • Relating with or serving others
you value
  • Accomplishing things
  • Job security
  • Personal relationships
you are skilled in
  • Active Listening
  • Critical Thinking
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
Go Deeper: Elementary Special Education Teachers Explained
Elementary Special Education TeacherExplore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.
How Do You Train for This Career?

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Bachelor's DegreeA bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 4-5+ years
Hybrid CollegeA hybrid college combines online learning with the student support typically offered on college campuses, giving students flexibility and accessibility while still providing a comprehensive educational experience.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-5 years
Post-Bac FellowshipA post-baccalaureate fellowship typically offers recent college graduates the opportunity to gain work experience, conduct research, and further develop their skills in a specific field, enhancing their qualifications for more advanced career opportunities.
🎓 Paid Work
⏱️ Finish in 1-3 years
Associate's DegreeAn associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.
🎓 College
⏱️ Finish in 2-3 years
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Updated April 2026. Data sourced from O*NET and Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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