SOC 25-2058 · Rockford, IL metro

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in Rockford, IL

The average salary for special education teachers, secondary school in Rockford, Illinois is $73,060 a year, according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $78,070: half of the 220 people in this job in the Rockford, IL metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is 5% less than the U.S. average for this job ($77,260).

$73,060average per year

Median $78,070Take-home ≈ $56,752

  • $46K10th
  • $61K25th
  • $78KMedian
  • $81K75th
  • $101K90th

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

220people in this job
-5%vs U.S. average
#2 of 8Illinois metros
92cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Special Education Teachers, Secondary School pay range in Rockford

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,420 a year or less, while the top 10% make $100,570 or more. The middle half of special education teachers, secondary school in Rockford earn between $60,720 and $81,240.

  • $46K10th
  • $61K25th
  • $78KMedian
  • $81K75th
  • $101K90th

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

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$73,060$6,088—
Median$78,070$6,506—
Entry level (25th percentile)$60,720$5,060—
Experienced (75th percentile)$81,240$6,770—

*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 Rockford vs. Illinois and the U.S.

Special education teachers, secondary school in Rockford earn 15% less than the Illinois average ($86,150) and 5% less than the U.S. average ($77,260). At the median the gap is +5% against the U.S. median of $74,260.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Rockford$73,060$78,070$46,420$100,570220
Illinois$86,150$79,890$49,920$129,2609,490
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 Rockford

On the average salary of $73,060, a single filer in Rockford takes home about $56,752 a year, or $4,729 a month and $2,183 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules).

Illinois paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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

Prices in the Rockford area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $73,060 buys what about $79,280 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Rockford ($47,120). A typical home costs $221,368, or 3.0 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $73,060 is worth in another city

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in other Illinois cities

Rockford ranks 2nd of 8 Illinois metro areas for this job; Chicago pays the most ($91,740).

All Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salaries in Illinois

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 Rockford: questions

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

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $46,420 a year and the 25th percentile is $60,720, a fair guide to starting pay.

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

About $56,752 a year ($4,729 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $73,060.

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

The average here is 5% less 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 Rockford, IL (40420). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.9%.
  • 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).
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.52, this job is 1.5 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.

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