SOC 25-2058 · San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in San Jose, CA

The average salary for special education teachers, secondary school in San Jose, California is $110,740 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $117,640: half of the 400 people in this job in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 43% more than the U.S. average for this job ($77,260).

$110,740average per year

Median $117,640Take-home ≈ $80,529

  • $75K10th
  • $92K25th
  • $118KMedian
  • $129K75th
  • $148K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

400people in this job
+43%vs U.S. average
#2 of 19California metros
110cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Special Education Teachers, Secondary School pay range in San Jose

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $74,590 a year or less, while the top 10% make $148,320 or more. The middle half of special education teachers, secondary school in San Jose earn between $92,000 and $129,220.

  • $75K10th
  • $92K25th
  • $118KMedian
  • $129K75th
  • $148K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$110,740$9,228—
Median$117,640$9,803—
Entry level (25th percentile)$92,000$7,667—
Experienced (75th percentile)$129,220$10,768—

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year (BLS publishes this job's pay as annual only). Hourly to annual salary.

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School pay in San Jose vs. California and the U.S.

Special education teachers, secondary school in San Jose earn 8% more than the California average ($102,780) and 43% more than the U.S. average ($77,260). At the median the gap is +58% against the U.S. median of $74,260.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
San Jose$110,740$117,640$74,590$148,320400
California$102,780$101,060$63,390$131,60012,100
United States$77,260$74,260$49,800$109,100163,930

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary after taxes in San Jose

On the average salary of $110,740, a single filer in San Jose takes home about $80,529 a year, or $6,711 a month and $3,097 every two weeks. Taxes take 27% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

California paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is San Jose a good place for special education teachers, secondary school? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the San Jose area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 110.4), so the average $110,740 buys what about $100,287 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.4 times the median wage of all jobs in San Jose ($84,050). A typical home costs $1,610,466, or 14.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $110,740 is worth in another city

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in other California cities

San Jose ranks 2nd of 19 California metro areas for this job; San Diego pays the most ($121,230).

All Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salaries in California

Highest-paying cities for special education teachers, secondary school

San Diego, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($121,230).

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary by city

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Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in San Jose: questions

What is the entry-level special education teachers, secondary school salary in San Jose?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $74,590 a year and the 25th percentile is $92,000, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the special education teachers, secondary school take-home pay in San Jose?

About $80,529 a year ($6,711 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $110,740. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.

Do special education teachers, secondary school earn more in San Jose than elsewhere?

The average here is 43% more than the U.S. average for this job ($77,260).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2058; area San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA (41940). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.4%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 0.34, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.34).

Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.