Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $76,740 +21.8% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $51,100
90th percentile $100,620
Employed locally 10,160
National median $63,000

Compare Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary & buying power

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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
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Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $51,100
    25th
    $61,620
    50th (median)
    $76,740
    75th
    $99,330
    90th
    $100,620

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary vs area income 86% Median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary is 14% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $112,850
    Visalia, CA $102,630
    El Centro, CA $100,980
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $99,170
    Fresno, CA $98,550
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $98,050

    Nearby metros — Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $91,730
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $85,640
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $80,850
    Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $80,790
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $80,590
    Illinois $76,170

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$75,020
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$36,830
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$80,440
    Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$75,690
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$37,460
    Self-Enrichment Teachers$44,770

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Chicago, IL-IN is —, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make — or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salaries?

    The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 21.8% above the national median of $63,000. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Chicago?

    Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School (10th percentile) earn around $51,100 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,620.