A special education teacher at the secondary level works with students who have disabilities or learning differences, adapting curriculum and instruction to meet their individual needs. You'll need a bachelor's degree and state certification to teach.
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Special education teachers at the secondary level design and deliver customized instruction for students with disabilities or learning differences. You communicate regularly with supervisors, peers, and families to coordinate support. You monitor student progress and document their learning through detailed records. You establish strong relationships with students to build trust and engagement. Your work involves planning lessons, organizing materials, and using computers to track data and create accessible content. You apply knowledge of education, psychology, and counseling strategies to help each student succeed.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn a median of $74,260 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 11,100 openings a year from turnover.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
You'll need a bachelor's degree, typically in special education or a content area with special education coursework. During your degree program, you'll take courses in education and training, psychology, and therapy and counseling approaches. You'll complete student teaching or practicum experiences in secondary classrooms. After graduation, you must obtain state certification or licensure in special education, which requirements vary by state. Some programs combine the bachelor's degree with certification preparation, while others require separate certification steps after your degree.
Most paths to this career start with a bachelor's degree in special education or a teaching subject. The timeline and specific requirements depend on your state and whether you pursue a combined degree-and-certification program or separate steps. Use Pathly can map the special education teacher, secondary school path that fits you to map out your route with your school counselor or academic advisor.
Many special education teacher, secondary 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 helping others. You enjoy building relationships, communicating clearly, and solving problems that affect people's lives and growth.
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.
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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).