2024 Data

Special Education Teacher Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $70,064 (2024)

Official 2024 BLS Data | $33.68/hour | $46,990 - $102,987 range

Median Annual Salary

$70,064

5.2% vs national

Hourly Rate

$33.68

/hour

Jobs in Area

427

employed

Salary Range$46,990 - $102,987
10th %Median90th %

Compare to Other Cities

See All →

Minneapolis, MN

$70,064

San Jose, CA

$91,155

$21,091 more (+30.1%)

in San Jose, CA

Special Education Teacher Salary Range in Minneapolis, MN

Annual Salary Range

$70k

$47k

10th percentile

$58k

25th

$84k

75th

$103k

90th percentile

Salary Breakdown by Percentile

PercentileAnnual SalaryHourly Rate
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$46,990$22.59
25th Percentile$57,883$27.83
Median (50th Percentile)$70,064$33.68
75th Percentile$83,927$40.35
90th Percentile (Top Earners)$102,987$49.51
Average (Mean)$74,748$35.94

Special Education Teacher Market Insights for Minneapolis, MN

Compensation Overview

Special Education Teacher compensation in Minneapolis, MN aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $46,990 to $102,987 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.

Local Market Context

Minneapolis, MN offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The Minnesota economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.

Career Outlook

The Special Education Teacher profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 119% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.

Tips for Increasing Your Salary

  • Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 47% more than median salaries
  • Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
  • Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise

+5%

vs National Avg

+5%

vs State Avg

119%

Salary Range

427

Jobs in Area

Career Path & Salary Progression

Typical Special Education Teacher salary growth in Minneapolis, MN based on experience level.

🎓

Entry Level

0-2 years

10th percentile

$46,990

/year

📈

Early Career

2-5 years

25th percentile

$57,883

/year

💼

Mid Career

5-10 years

50th percentile

$70,064

/year

🎯

Senior

10-15 years

75th percentile

$83,927

/year

Expert

15+ years

90th percentile

$102,987

/year

Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.

Special Education Teacher Job Market in Minneapolis, MN

Where Special Education Teachers Work

Special Education Teachers work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.

Local Employment Landscape

Employment in this occupation is more limited in Minneapolis, MN compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.

Types of Employers Hiring

Large Corporations

Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential

Small to Medium Businesses

May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities

Government Agencies

Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance

Professional Services Firms

Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers

Skills That Increase Earning Potential

Advanced certifications in your specialtyLeadership and team managementData analysis and reportingCommunication and presentation skillsIndustry-specific software proficiency

Job Search Strategy for Minneapolis, MN

  • Research major employers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
  • Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to Minnesota
  • Tailor your salary expectations based on the Minneapolis, MN market rate of $70,064
  • Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $46,990 in this market

Frequently Asked Questions

The median special education teacher salary in Minneapolis, MN is $70,064 per year ($33.68/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $46,990 for entry-level positions to $102,987 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.

Entry-level special education teachers in Minneapolis, MN typically start at around $46,990 per year ($22.59/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $70,064 within 3-5 years.

Special Education Teachers in Minneapolis, MN earn a median hourly wage of $33.68 per hour. Hourly rates range from $22.59/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $49.51/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $46,990 and $102,987.

The median special education teacher salary of $70,064 in Minneapolis, MN is above the national median of $66,620 (5.2% higher). This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of special education teachers in the area earn more and half earn less.

Special Education Teachers in Minneapolis, MN earn above the national average. The local median salary of $70,064 is 5.2% higher than the national median of $66,620. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $67,891.

The top 10% of special education teachers in Minneapolis, MN earn $102,987 or more per year ($49.51/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $83,927, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.

Key skills that can boost special education teacher salary in Minneapolis, MN include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $70,064, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($83,927) or higher. Years of relevant experience

Minneapolis, MN has a specialized job market for special education teachers, with approximately 427 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $70,064 is above the national average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.

Compare your special education teacher salary to these Minneapolis, MN benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $46,990, 25th percentile: $57,883, 50th percentile (median): $70,064, 75th percentile: $83,927, 90th percentile (top earners): $102,987. If you earn more than $70,064, you're above average for the area.

Beyond the $70,064 median base salary, special education teachers in Minneapolis, MN typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.

Experienced special education teachers with 5-10 years in Minneapolis, MN typically earn $83,927 (75th percentile) to $102,987 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $102,987. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $70,064.

Special Education Teachers in Minneapolis, MN can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($46,990) to median ($70,064) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($102,987) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $55,997 over a career.

Data Source & Methodology

Official government statistics you can trust

Primary Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program

Visit Official BLS Website

Data Year

2024

2 Years Old

Geographic Area

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Occupation Code

25-2052

SOC Classification

Sample Size

427

Employees Surveyed

How This Data Is Collected

The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.

Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.

Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Special Education Teacher in Minneapolis, MN

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Median: $70,064/yr

How Minneapolis, MN Compares

vs National Average

$66,620

+5.2%

vs Minnesota Average

$67,042

+4.5%

Cost-of-Living Adjusted

$67,891

-3.1%

Cost of living in Minneapolis, MN is 3.2% above the national average.

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