Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Illinois
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Illinois earn a median of $77,960 a year, based on BLS data for 14,040 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,490 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $65,120. Illinois ranks 10th of 51 states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school pay. There are 2.3 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,170, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,790 |
| 25th percentile | $60,700 |
| Median | $77,960 |
| 75th percentile | $97,370 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,490 |
| Average (mean) | $77,170 |
Half of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,496.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,248.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,998.46 |
| Weekly | $1,499.23 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $79,690 | 11,210 |
| Springfield, IL | $77,430 | 150 |
| Rockford, IL | $72,910 | 300 |
| Decatur, IL | $65,390 | 40 |
| Bloomington, IL | $64,250 | 270 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $63,190 | 1,380 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $62,320 | 160 |
| Kankakee, IL | $61,420 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,240 | 320 |
| Peoria, IL | $61,200 | 290 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $49,110 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $97,910 |
| California | $97,170 |
| Washington | $95,040 |
| Massachusetts | $91,350 |
| Rhode Island | $84,300 |
| Connecticut | $82,950 |
| New York | $81,260 |
| Alaska | $80,230 |
| Maryland | $78,850 |
| Illinois | $77,960 |
See Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2052. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Illinois?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Illinois is $77,960 a year. Pay ranges from $49,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Illinois?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Illinois earn at least $104,490 a year. The top 25% earn $97,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,790 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $60,700 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Illinois?
About 14,040 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.