Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Illinois
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Illinois earn a median of $79,890 a year, based on BLS data for 9,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,260 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $74,260. Illinois ranks 11th of 51 states for special education teachers, secondary school pay. There are 1.6 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,920 |
| 25th percentile | $62,780 |
| Median | $79,890 |
| 75th percentile | $104,990 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,260 |
| Average (mean) | $86,150 |
Half of special education teachers, secondary 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 | $6,657.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,328.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,072.69 |
| Weekly | $1,536.35 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, secondary 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.
Buying a home? On a $79,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $82,350 | 7,360 |
| Rockford, IL | $78,070 | 220 |
| Decatur, IL | $62,980 | 100 |
| Kankakee, IL | $62,610 | 100 |
| Bloomington, IL | $62,280 | 50 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $61,930 | 140 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $61,710 | 170 |
| Springfield, IL | $61,350 | 100 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,160 | 1,040 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $59,410 | 50 |
| Peoria, IL | $58,460 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, secondary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $101,120 |
| California | $101,060 |
| District of Columbia | $99,670 |
| Maryland | $93,530 |
| Rhode Island | $92,990 |
| New York | $89,310 |
| Massachusetts | $83,890 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 |
| Connecticut | $81,710 |
| Alaska | $80,580 |
See Special Education Teachers, Secondary 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 25-2058. 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, secondary school make in Illinois?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in Illinois is $79,890 a year. Pay ranges from $49,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in Illinois?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in Illinois earn at least $129,260 a year. The top 25% earn $104,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,920 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $62,780 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in Illinois?
About 9,490 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.