Special Education Teachers in Illinois. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Illinois 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 $62,780 and $104,990, with a median of $79,890.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
Special Education Teachers pay by experience level in Illinois
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 Illinois over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Special Education Teachers
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesTop metros in Illinois
Metro-level salary data for special education teachers in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$82,350
Compare Special Education Teachers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Illinois with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Special Education Teachers in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Special Education Teachers in Illinois is $79,890.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Special Education Teachers?
- The Illinois median is +6.4% versus the BLS national figure of $75,068.
- What is the salary range for Special Education Teachers in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $49,920 and the 90th-percentile at $129,260, 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.