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Average Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Special Education Teachers in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ area earn an impressive average annual salary of $74,830, significantly exceeding the national average of $61,380. This elevated compensation reflects the region's robust demand and the specialized skills required for these vital educational roles, indicating a strong local market appreciation for these professionals.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $74,830 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 7.1% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $98,260.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 760 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, and a Location Quotient of 1.94, the job market in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton demonstrates a substantial concentration of these roles compared to the national average. This indicates a healthy and robust demand for qualified educators in this specialized field within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$74,830

The average Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ earns+21.9%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$36

Weekly

$1,439

Monthly

$6,236

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary Distribution in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

Career progression for Special Education Teachers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, while seasoned professionals with years of dedicated service can command salaries in the higher percentiles, reflecting their accumulated expertise and value to the school district.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ProbationaryInitial licensure. Mentored by senior faculty.10% (Entry)$52,100$25
Tenured / ProProfessional status. Curriculum development.25% (Junior)$56,123$27
Senior EducatorDepartment chair. Mentors student teachers.50% (Median)$74,890$36
Lead SpecialistInstructional coach, reading specialist, or VP.75% (Senior)$93,538$45
AdministratorPrincipal, District Admin, or Consultant.90% (Expert)$98,260$47.2

Detailed Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$74,830

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$74,830

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $74,830 for Special Education Teachers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that the nominal salary offers a purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it a financially stable location for these educators.

Job Market Context

760

Total Jobs

2.052

Per 1K Jobs

1.94

Location Quotient

Major Hub

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ has 1.9x the national concentration of Special Education Teachers, Secondary School jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.

The Location Quotient of 1.94 for Special Education Teachers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton signifies that this profession is more than twice as concentrated in this region compared to the national average. This suggests a highly competitive market for employers seeking talent, and a favorable environment for job seekers due to the abundance of opportunities.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School make in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

The median annual salary for a Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is $74,830. This typically ranges from $52,100 for entry-level positions to $98,260 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is 21.9% higher than the national median of $61,380.

Is Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ a lucrative place for Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools?

Yes, it is a lucrative area.Special Education Teachers earn significantly above the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, offering excellent purchasing power.

Is Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ a good place to live for Special Education Teachers, Secondary Schools?

The Cost of Living Index in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ?

Some top paying nearby cities include Reading, PA ($74,600) and Trenton-Princeton, NJ.

How does the local salary compare to the national average?

Special Education Teachers in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton earn an average of $74,830 annually, which is substantially higher than the national average of $61,380.

What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) of 1.94?

An LQ of 1.94 indicates that Special Education Teachers are more than 90% more concentrated in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area than the national average, suggesting high demand and a robust job market for this profession.

How does the cost of living affect the salary in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton?

With a Cost of Living Index of 100, the local average salary of $74,830 provides purchasing power equivalent to the national average, making it a financially stable region.

What does the local workforce size of 760 imply?

A local workforce of 760 Special Education Teachers indicates a substantial and established presence of this profession within the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton area, supporting the high concentration and demand.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 760 employees in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ area with a job density of 2.052 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.