Education & library · SOC 25-2052
Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
BLS projects 259,100 jobs in 2025 to become 258,100 by 2035 — -0.4%, against +3.5% across all occupations.
-0.4%
projected change to 2035
About 900 fewer jobs
16,400
openings a year
6.3% of the occupation a year, counting people who retire or move on
$65,120
median annual pay
Usually entered with: bachelor's degree
2025 to 2035
Employment at the start and end of the projection, in jobs.
- 2025 employment259,100
- 2035 projected258,100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025–2035 projections.
Other education & library occupations
The largest occupations in the same group, by projected change to 2035.
- Teaching assistants, except postsecondary1,463,000-0.3%
- Elementary school teachers, except special education1,419,300-0.4%
- Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education1,087,500-0.2%
- Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education630,100-0.4%
- Preschool teachers, except special education583,200+4.5%
- Substitute teachers, short-term556,100+2.0%
- Self-enrichment teachers419,100+3.5%
- Health specialties teachers, postsecondary278,400+17.9%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.