A special education teacher at the elementary level works with students who have disabilities or learning differences, adapting instruction to meet their individual needs. You'll need a bachelor's degree and state certification. The work is demanding and deeply rewarding.
Pathly builds you a free, personalized roadmap and helps your counselor champion you along the way.
You teach students with disabilities or learning differences in elementary settings, adapting curriculum and instruction to fit each student's needs. Your days involve gathering information about student progress, building strong relationships with students and families, planning lessons carefully, and communicating regularly with colleagues and supervisors. You'll analyze student data to track learning, update your knowledge of special education practices, and use technology to support instruction. The role requires active listening, clear speaking, and the ability to help students develop learning strategies that work for them.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Special Education Teachers, Elementary School earn a median of $65,120 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is softer here. Employment is projected to fall 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, though there are still about 15,400 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree, typically in special education or education with a special education focus. During your degree program, you'll study education and training methods, English language instruction, mathematics, and how to manage a classroom. Most programs include student teaching experience where you work directly with students under supervision. After completing your degree, you must earn state certification or licensure in special education, which requirements vary by state. Check your state's education department for specific certification pathways and any exams required.
Most paths to this career start with a bachelor's degree in special education or education. The timeline and specific requirements depend on your state, so Pathly can map the special education teacher, elementary school path that fits you with your school counselor to map out the steps that fit your situation.
Many special education teacher, elementary schools must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to work that centers on people and helping others learn and grow. You listen well, communicate clearly, and enjoy building relationships with students and families.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
Your free AI guide weighs this career against your strengths and goals, and surfaces the colleges, trades, and scholarships that match, so you know if it truly fits before you commit.
Get a personalized, step-by-step plan to reach this career, with the training, coursework, and credentials tracked in one place. Link your school or IEC and your counselor in the loop.
Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).