Special Education and Teaching
Education
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $50,585 | $45,663 to $55,244 | 209 | 99% |
| Post-baccalaureate Certificate | $64,773 | $58,686 to $68,990 | 10 | 100% |
| Graduate/Professional Certificate | $66,392 | $57,800 to $75,887 | 20 | 100% |
| Master's Degree | $62,140 | $56,324 to $67,568 | 328 | 100% |
| Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | $79,956 | $67,322 to $80,481 | 5 | 100% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +1% (2023 to 2033), about 34,900 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $66,620 | -1.6% | 11,100 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $57,090 | +1.7% | 6,900 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $66,600 | -1.9% | 6,300 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $73,240 | +2.1% | 5,600 |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $67,190 | +1.1% | 2,900 |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool | $65,270 | +1.4% | 2,100 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, so this lists where the major commonly leads, not any one graduate's job.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.