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State comparison · 2025

Special Education Teachers salary: California vs Illinois

Occupation

Special Education Teachers in California earn a median of $101,060. In Illinois, $79,890. After cost-of-living, the gap is 14.3% — not 26.5%.

Nominal pay gap
+26.5%
California vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+14.3%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Special Education Teachers

Median
$101,060
p25
$79,740
p75
$123,840
p10
$63,390
p90
$131,600
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-39%
See full breakdown for California

Illinois

Special Education Teachers

Median
$79,890
p25
$62,780
p75
$104,990
p10
$49,920
p90
$129,260
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
100.0
Hiring velocity (180d)
0%
See full breakdown for Illinois

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.