Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $101,060 +45.2% vs national
Median hourly —
10th percentile $63,140
90th percentile $126,090
Employed locally 70
National median $69,590

Compare Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $63,140
    25th
    $78,290
    50th (median)
    $101,060
    75th
    $103,780
    90th
    $126,090

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary vs area income 92% Median Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary is 8% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $108,790
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $103,800
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $103,150
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $102,250
    Modesto, CA $102,240
    California $101,250

    Nearby metros — Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $108,790
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $103,800
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $103,150
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $102,250
    Modesto, CA $102,240
    California $101,250

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary $45,820
    Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education $80,630
    Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education $82,170
    Self-Enrichment Teachers $50,710
    Substitute Teachers, Short-Term $60,060
    Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $45,250

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Special Education Teachers, Secondary School make per hour in Santa Cruz?

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

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salaries?

    The median Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 45.2% above the national median of $69,590. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Special Education Teachers, Secondary School (10th percentile) earn around $63,140 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $78,290.