Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

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

Median annual salary $58,440 -6% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $40,610
90th percentile $99,200
Employed locally 840
National median $62,190

Compare Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary & buying power

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Special Education Teachers, Preschool
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,610
    25th
    $47,680
    50th (median)
    $58,440
    75th
    $76,650
    90th
    $99,200

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary vs area income 66% Median Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary is 34% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Special Education Teachers, Preschool

    Metro areaMedian salary
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $132,930
    New York $129,860
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $117,200
    Akron, OH $100,650
    New Jersey $86,650
    Western Washington nonmetropolitan area $86,340

    Nearby metros — Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $83,490
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $78,630
    Rockford, IL $78,600
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $74,980
    West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area $64,180
    Killeen-Temple, TX $61,150

    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, Preschool make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool 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, Preschool salaries?

    The median Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 6% below the national median of $62,190. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Chicago?

    Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Preschool (10th percentile) earn around $40,610 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,680.