Special Education Jobs in the United States

Special Education Jobs Overview

Are you looking to positively impact students' lives and help them reach their highest potential? If the answer is yes, you should start applying for special education jobs. As a special education teacher, you'll work with children of all ages with various behavioral, learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities to help improve their quality of life.

While many begin their careers working as a teacher or teacher's assistant in special education classrooms, you can pursue opportunities in roles such as a behavior analyst, recreational therapist, speech and language pathologist, or school psychologist as well. However, these will usually require an advanced degree or certification.

In a teaching role, you'll work with counselors, administrators, general teachers, and parents to develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for each student according to their needs. An IEP outlines the performance and requirements of the student and provides measurable learning and behavioral goals.

Your responsibilities will vary depending on your work setting, specialty, and the students' disabilities. However, you'll typically do the following:

• evaluate the students’ skills and determine their educational needs
• meet with parents to discuss their children's progress
• schedule activities specific to each student's abilities
• teach and mentor students in classrooms, small groups, and one-on-one
• update IEPs throughout the year to reflect students' development

Want to expand your search for education jobs? Explore these other roles:

• reading tutor jobs
• art teacher jobs
• high school teacher jobs

Educations and Skills for Special Education Jobs

Most schools will require you to obtain a degree in special education, although some may only require you to major in education. If you want to teach in a public school, you'll need a bachelor's degree and a state-issued license. You won't need to be state-licensed if you work in a private school, but you will typically need a bachelor's degree in special education.

Requirements for licensure vary by state, but typically, you'll have to complete a student-teaching program and pass a background check and a general teaching certification test. Some states may require you to earn a master's degree within a few years of obtaining your license. Acquiring this can also help you qualify for a promotion, or a salary increase and will allow you to pursue a more senior and specialized role, such as lead teacher or director of education.

These valuable skills can help you succeed in your special education career:

• critical thinking
• problem-solving
• interpersonal skills
• patience and empathy
• excellent communication

Update Your Resume for Special Education Jobs

When it comes to your job search, resume writing can be a challenging subject to conquer. That's why we're here to help. When you craft your resume, highlight your teaching skills, such as communication style and teaching methods, with solid examples of how you've put them into action. If you want an A+ job, check out our sample teacher resume for ideas and inspiration to get your resume noticed.

Also, don't forget to include that all-important cover letter that briefly describes your professional background and passion for the job. For more help, refer to our sample teacher cover letter and library of practical cover letter tips.

Interviewing for a Special Education Job

Are you looking to sharpen your interviewing skills? One of the best ways to impress a hiring manager is to provide tangible evidence of your accomplishments through solid examples. You can talk about how you solved a problem at work or showed initiative with a student encounter. Also, knowing what potential interview questions to expect can help you prepare and give you the confidence you need for the big day.

How Much Does a Special Education Job Pay?

Curious to find out what you'll make in special education? The median salary for a special education teacher in the US is $20.44 per hour, whereas a director of special education can make $72,793 per year.

Look up your desired job title and location on Monster's Salary Calculator to better understand how much you can expect to make. Here, you'll also see salaries for similar jobs and the skills that can propel you forward in your career.

Want to Learn More About a Company You're Interested In?

Do you have your sights set on a specific school or institution? Or are you searching for the right fit? Make sure to do your research before applying to your next job. Use Monster's company profiles to gain insight into the employer's workplace culture and company details. Here you'll find:

• company size
• locations
• recent job postings
• company overview

Rise to the Top of the Class with Help from Monster

Are you excited to start searching for special education jobs? We'll help you find positions that match your skills and background and get you in front of top recruiters in your industry. Just create your profile and start applying to jobs that pique your interest. As a member, you'll get interview insights, expert career advice, and custom job alerts sent directly to your inbox.