Special education teachers, secondary school
SOC Code: 25-2058Also known as:
Blind Teacher, Braille Teacher, Cross-Categorical SPED Teacher (Cross-Categorical Special Education Teacher), Deaf Teacher, Education Specialist
Median Annual Salary
$69,590
-1.6% growth (2024-2034)
11K
Openings/Year
164K
Current Jobs
What Special education teachers, secondary school Do
Teach academic, social, and life skills to secondary 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.
💰 Salary
$69,590
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
-1.6%
Decline
🎓 Education
Bachelor's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
11K
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
164,200
Projected Employment (2034)
161,500
Related Careers
Special education teachers, preschool
$62,190 •
+1.4% growth
Special education teachers, middle school
$64,880 •
-1.9% growth
Top Skills Required
Learning Strategies
Instructing
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- Confer with parents, administrators, testing specialists, social workers, or other professionals to develop individual educational plans (IEPs) for students' educational, physical, and social development.
- Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
- Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- Confer with parents or guardians, other teachers, counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral and academic problems.
- Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
- Teach personal development skills, such as goal setting, independence, and self-advocacy.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Bachelor's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Bachelor's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Special education teachers, secondary school
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a special education teachers, secondary school:
Special Education and Teaching, General
22,116 degrees awarded •
682 colleges offer this program
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities
1,213 degrees awarded •
27 colleges offer this program
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism
1,002 degrees awarded •
73 colleges offer this program
Education/Teaching of Individuals in Secondary Special Education Programs
833 degrees awarded •
38 colleges offer this program
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities
398 degrees awarded •
48 colleges offer this program
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness
304 degrees awarded •
30 colleges offer this program
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments
273 degrees awarded •
11 colleges offer this program
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness
161 degrees awarded •
16 colleges offer this program
Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances
134 degrees awarded •
18 colleges offer this program
Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed
125 degrees awarded •
8 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Special education teachers, secondary school
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become special education teachers, secondary school.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do special education teachers, secondary school make?
The median annual salary for special education teachers, secondary school is $69,590.
What education do special education teachers, secondary school need?
Most special education teachers, secondary school positions require a bachelor's degree.
Common degree programs include Special Education and Teaching, General, Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities, Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism.
Is becoming a special education teachers, secondary school a good career choice?
Special education teachers, secondary school is projected to see -1.6% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which reflects some decline in the field. With approximately 11,100 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for special education teachers, secondary school?
Top colleges for aspiring special education teachers, secondary school include
University of Florida, Vanderbilt University, CUNY Hunter College, The College of New Jersey, University of Central Florida.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to special education teachers, secondary school?
Special education teachers, secondary school may also be known as: Blind Teacher, Braille Teacher, Cross-Categorical SPED Teacher (Cross-Categorical Special Education Teacher), Deaf Teacher, Education Specialist, Emotional Disability Special Education Teacher (ED SPED Teacher), Emotionally Impaired Teacher, Exceptional Children's Teacher (EC Teacher), Exceptional Student Education Teacher (ESE Teacher), Handicapped Teacher, Hearing Impaired Teacher, High School Learning Support Teacher, High School Teacher, HS SPED Teacher (High School Special Education Teacher), Inclusion Coordinator, Inclusion Special Educator, Inclusion Specialist, Inclusion Teacher, Interrelated SPED Teacher (Interrelated Special Education Teacher), Learning Disabilities Special Education Teacher (LD Special Education Teacher).
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.