SOC 25-2058 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — Southwestern Pennsylvania
Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $77,930 per year, close to the national median of $74,260 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $77,930 per year, close to the national median of $74,260 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $60,430 and $80,440. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $48,530 and the ninetieth at $81,780.
Employment stands at 310, or 2.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Gettysburg records the highest median at $98,860. Of the 364 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 69th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,530 | −34.6% |
| 25th | $60,430 | −18.6% |
| Median (50th) | $77,930 | +4.9% |
| 75th | $80,440 | +8.3% |
| 90th | $81,780 | +10.1% |
| Mean | $71,310 | −4.0% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gettysburg | $98,860 | 100 | |
| 2 | York | $83,280 | 270 | |
| 3 | Lancaster | $81,040 | 540 | |
| 4 | Chambersburg | $80,060 | 110 | |
| 5 | Philadelphia | $79,760 | 5,790 | |
| 6 | Reading | $78,670 | 380 | |
| 7 | Allentown | $77,850 | 780 | |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | $75,160 | 1,850 | |
| 9 | Scranton | $72,600 | 320 | |
| 10 | Erie | $71,660 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwestern Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $77,930 goes as far as $79,846 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$77,930as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$79,846US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $77,930 a year, 4.9% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,530 to $81,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 310 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Gettysburg, at $98,860.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $77,930, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $74,260, so pay in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA is 4.9% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $81,780 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,530 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Gettysburg, at $98,860 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 310 jobs in this occupation in Southwestern Pennsylvania, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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