General
Special Needs Education
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Special Needs Education.
Entry Level Salary
$46,336
Median Salary
$67,530
Unemployment Rate
1.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
11.9%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $2,701,200
Entry (Early)
$46,336
Median (Prime)
$67,530
High (Prime)
$69,000
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-38k
+142k
+154k
$25k / yr
-128k
+52k
+64k
$50k / yr
-218k
-38k
-26k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
30
29
$25k / yr
Never
44
42
$50k / yr
Never
Never
Never
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-117%
48%
59%
$50k / yr
-100%
-17%
-12%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate58.6%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Special education teachers
29.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,823
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$62,170|$64,270
openings
37,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.4%
Elementary and middle school teachers
19.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,354|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Secondary school teachers
5.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$47,195
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$66,000|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Education and childcare administrators
4.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$29,263
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,915|$100,650
openings
45,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.3%
Preschool and kindergarten teachers
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$44,237
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,000|$40,090
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.1%
Teaching assistants
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$19,784
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$24,778|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%
Postsecondary teachers
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$7,173
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$71,735|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Other teachers and instructors
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$57,269
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$41,650|$44,220
openings
171,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +1.4%
Other educational instruction and library occupations
1.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$60,393
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,000|$36,690
openings
230,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.5%
Management occupations
1.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$81,300|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| basic skills and developmental/remedial education. | Undergrad Certificate | 23 | $21,977 - $96,196 |
| basic skills and developmental/remedial education. | Associate's Degree | 4 | $73,132 - $73,132 |
| basic skills and developmental/remedial education. | Master's Degree | 3 | $37,690 - $37,690 |
| basic skills and developmental/remedial education. | Level 99 | 7 | Data N/A |