Salary distribution
Where Colorado special education teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $58,860 and $80,020, with a median of $64,530.
Special Education Teachers in Colorado: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 6 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $57,355. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 2 | $42,705 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $58,173 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Special Education Teachers in Colorado. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Public Schools District 1 | Special Education Secondary Teacher | 3 | $65,704 |
| Garfield School District Re-2 | Special Education Teacher: Mild to Moderate | 1 | $42,790 |
| Montezuma Cortez School District RE1 | High School Special Education | 1 | $42,620 |
| Summit School District RE-1 | Special Education Teacher | 1 | $58,173 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Special Education Secondary Teacher at Denver Public Schools District 1$65,704DenverDecided Jun 25, 2025I-200-25168-103500
- Special Education Teacher: Mild to Moderate at Garfield School District Re-2$42,790RifleWage Level IDecided Jun 3, 2025I-200-25147-019879
- High School Special Education at Montezuma Cortez School District RE1$42,620CortezWage Level IDecided Feb 28, 2025I-200-25052-713122
- Special Education Teacher at Summit School District RE-1$58,173BreckendridgeWage Level IIDecided Dec 18, 2024I-203-24346-536541
- Special Education Secondary Teacher at Denver Public Schools District 1$56,537DenverDecided May 16, 2025I-200-25129-958954
- Special Education Secondary Teacher at Denver Public Schools District 1$70,728DenverDecided Mar 18, 2025I-200-25070-767116
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Special Education Teachers pay by experience level in Colorado
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Colorado over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Speech Clarity
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
- 02
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 03
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
- 04
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
- 05
Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 06
Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
- 07
Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
- 08
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for special education teachers in major Colorado metropolitan areas.
- Denver$77,050
Compare Special Education Teachers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Special Education Teachers in Colorado?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Special Education Teachers in Colorado is $64,530.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Special Education Teachers?
- The Colorado median is -11.9% versus the BLS national figure of $73,212.
- What is the salary range for Special Education Teachers in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $48,970 and the 90th-percentile at $97,130, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Special Education Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Special Education Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.