Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $97,300 +54.4% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $62,740
90th percentile $117,960
Employed locally 1,470
National median $63,000

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

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School
in
San Diego, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,740
    25th
    $77,050
    50th (median)
    $97,300
    75th
    $105,190
    90th
    $117,960

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary vs area income 95% Median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary is 5% 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
    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

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$78,430
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$43,010
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$55,740
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$99,740
    Self-Enrichment Teachers$46,520
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$45,370

    Frequently asked questions

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

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

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

    The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in San Diego, CA is 54.4% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School (10th percentile) earn around $62,740 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $77,050.