Salary distribution
Where Kentucky 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 $48,930 and $63,840, with a median of $58,400.
Special Education Teachers in Kentucky: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 7 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $47,690. 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 | 5 | $43,840 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Special Education Teachers in Kentucky. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson County Board of Education | Diverse Learning / Special Education Classroom Teacher | 5 | $43,840 |
| Fayette County Public Schools | Exceptional Child Visually Impaired Instructor | 2 | $50,586 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Exceptional Child Visually Impaired Instructor at Fayette County Public Schools$50,586LexingtonDecided Dec 5, 2025I-200-25332-443328
- Diverse Learning / Special Education Classroom Teacher at Nelson County Board of Education$47,690BardstownWage Level IDecided Aug 25, 2025I-200-25230-250291
- Exceptional Child Visually Impaired Instructor at Fayette County Public Schools$50,586LexingtonDecided Dec 1, 2025I-200-25327-431450
- Diverse Learning / Special Education Classroom Teacher at Nelson County Board of Education$47,690BloomfieldWage Level IDecided Aug 25, 2025I-200-25230-250204
- Diverse Learning / Special Education Classroom Teacher at Nelson County Board of Education$43,840BardstownWage Level IDecided Oct 18, 2024I-200-24284-397612
- Diverse Learning / Special Education Classroom Teacher at Nelson County Board of Education$43,840BostonWage Level IDecided Oct 18, 2024I-200-24284-397621
- Diverse Learning / Special Education Classroom Teacher at Nelson County Board of Education$43,840BardstownWage Level IDecided Oct 17, 2024I-200-24284-397545
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 Kentucky
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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky metropolitan areas.
- Louisville$63,840
Compare Special Education Teachers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Special Education Teachers in Kentucky?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Special Education Teachers in Kentucky is $58,400.
- How does Kentucky compare to the national median for Special Education Teachers?
- The Kentucky median is -20.2% versus the BLS national figure of $73,212.
- What is the salary range for Special Education Teachers in Kentucky?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $42,800 and the 90th-percentile at $74,860, 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.