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Special Education Teacher Salary in Chicago, Illinois

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$74,802/ year

Median Special Education Teacher in Chicago, IL

$46,633
10th
$56,870
25th
$74,802
Median
$96,800
75th
$118,096
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$74,802
Total compensation (est.)
$86,022
Bonus range
$2,350 – $9,600
Mean salary
$79,290

How This Compares

Chicago, IL median
$74,802
Illinois median
$63,056+18.6%
National median
$61,820+21.0%

Cost of living in Chicago is 21% above the national average. Salary of $74,802 here is equivalent to $61,820 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$53,857-28.0%
3-5 years
$68,070-9.0%
6-10 years
$83,778+12.0%
10+ years
$103,227+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$65,826-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$74,802
Enterprise (5,000+)
$88,266+18.0%

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Special Education Teacher Salaries in Nearby Cities

Aurora, IL$61,820/yr
Joliet, IL$61,820/yr
Naperville, IL$61,820/yr
Rockford, IL$61,820/yr
Springfield, IL$61,820/yr

Related Jobs in Chicago

Elementary School Teacher$74,887/yr
High School Teacher$75,456/yr
School Counselor$75,323/yr
University Professor$102,100/yr
Instructional Designer$94,368/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$36/hr
Monthly gross$6,234/mo
25th percentile$56,870/yr
75th percentile$96,800/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Illinois Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.6%+0.20

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Special Education Teacher Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Special Education Teacher salary in Chicago?

The median Special Education Teacher salary in Chicago is $74,802 per year, with a range from $56,870 at the 25th percentile to $96,800 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Special Education Teacher pay in Chicago compare to the national average?

Special Education Teacher salaries in Chicago are 21% above the national median of $61,820. After adjusting for Chicago's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $61,820 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Special Education Teacher salaries in Chicago?

In Chicago, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Special Education Teacher roles start around $46,633, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $118,096 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Chicago a good place for Special Education Teacher jobs?

Chicago offers a Special Education Teacher median of $74,802, which is 21% above the US median of $61,820. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Chicago is 21% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Special Education Teacher salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Special Education Teacher in Chicago is $96,800, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.