Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Modesto, CA
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in the Modesto, CA metro area earn a median of $80,570 a year, based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,530 for the top 10%. That is 24% higher than the national median of $65,120. Pay here is 17% lower than the California statewide median of $97,170. There are 1.4 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $88,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Modesto, CA
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,350 |
| 25th percentile | $72,680 |
| Median | $80,570 |
| 75th percentile | $107,440 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,530 |
| Average (mean) | $88,070 |
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 | $6,714.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,357.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,098.85 |
| Weekly | $1,549.42 |
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.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $105,290 | 3,440 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $104,810 | 490 |
| El Centro, CA | $99,020 | 180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $98,940 | 300 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,640 | 790 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $98,330 | 1,700 |
| Vallejo, CA | $98,260 | 210 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $97,860 | 1,970 |
| Merced, CA | $97,340 | 160 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $97,260 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $96,970 | 6,410 |
| Fresno, CA | $95,950 | 700 |
| Yuba City, CA | $94,260 | 130 |
| Napa, CA | $92,970 | 60 |
| Redding, CA | $92,820 | 170 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $91,840 | 3,140 |
| Chico, CA | $91,510 | 160 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $81,910 | 250 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $81,750 | 150 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $79,760 | 400 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $75,250 | 800 |
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 or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Modesto, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $101,640 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,890 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $101,250 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $98,170 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $103,790 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $96,940 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other | $101,030 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $96,500 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $47,990 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Tutor | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Self-Enrichment Teacher | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $65,290 | $31.39 |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in Modesto, CA
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 Modesto, CA?
The median salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Modesto, CA metro area is $80,570 a year. Pay ranges from $64,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $118,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school make in Modesto, CA?
The top 10% of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in the Modesto, CA metro area earn at least $118,530 a year. The top 25% earn $107,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Modesto, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,350 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school earn $72,680 or less.
How many special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school work in Modesto, CA?
About 270 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school are employed in the Modesto, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.