Special Education Teacher Jobs in New York, NY
Special education is one of the subjects NYC Public Schools lists as high need, and Bronx and Harlem charter networks post special education roles from about $68,700 to $137,700 a year. Certified teachers are in demand in every borough. Here are the current openings, then who hires and how to get certified.
Current special education teacher Openings in New York, NY
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Special Education Teacher Work in New York
NYC Public Schools is the largest employer by far, with special education teachers in neighborhood schools across the five boroughs and in District 75, the citywide district that serves students with more significant disabilities. Many new hires in regular schools teach in integrated co-teaching (ICT) classrooms, where a special education teacher and a general education teacher share one class, or in SETSS, the city's support services for small groups. Charter networks hire on the same model: Democracy Prep in Harlem and the Bronx, Brilla in the Bronx and KIPP NYC across the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan all have special education and ICT postings open for the 2026-27 school year.
A second layer of employers runs approved special education schools and preschools for children with autism and developmental disabilities. AHRC NYC hires school-age teachers in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn and in Staten Island, and The Shield Institute hires preschool special education teachers on Andrews Avenue in the Bronx and on Roosevelt Avenue in Flushing, Queens.
Top New York Employers Hiring Special Education Teachers
These employers are hiring special education teachers in the five boroughs:
- NYC Public Schools - the city school system recruits special education teachers as a high-need subject, including for District 75.
- Democracy Prep Public Schools - the Harlem and Bronx charter network posts elementary and middle school special education roles at $68,707 to $137,729.
- Brilla Public Charter Schools - the Bronx network hires ICT special education teachers at $71,020 to $115,479.
- KIPP NYC Public Schools - the charter network hires elementary ICT special education teachers at $70,829 to $136,704.
- AHRC NYC - the disability services nonprofit hires school-age special education teachers in Brooklyn and Staten Island at about $79,760 to $81,411.
- The Shield Institute - the nonprofit hires preschool special education teachers in the Bronx and Flushing at $61,070 to $68,652.
Special Education Teacher Salaries in New York
- Entry level: about $61,000 to $72,000 a year, with the NYC Public Schools bachelor's start at $71,314.
- Experienced: roughly $80,000 to $107,000 a year, from the city's master's start of $80,166 to about $106,907 at 8 years.
- Senior: $115,000 to $137,000 a year for veteran teachers on city and charter scales.
These are estimates based on posted pay and federal wage data for the New York metro, where the median special education teacher earns about $91,600 to $100,400 depending on grade level. Pay moves with your degree and years of service, whether you work for the city, a charter network or a private agency, and signing bonuses: Brilla advertises $4,000 for hires made by October 15, 2026. City teachers also get premium-free health coverage and a pension.
How to Become a Special Education Teacher in New York
You need a bachelor's degree and a New York State Students with Disabilities certificate, issued by the New York State Education Department's Office of Teaching Initiatives. The current option is the Students with Disabilities All Grades certificate, alongside Birth-Grade 2. Candidates pass the Students with Disabilities content test, complete the Child Abuse Identification, SAVE, DASA and Needs of Children with Autism workshops, and finish an approved program. Local programs include the online Special Education MSEd at Hunter College, the Students with Disabilities MSEd at Brooklyn College, City College's Teaching Students with Disabilities MSEd in Harlem, and Lehman College's special education MSEd in the Bronx. NYC Teaching Fellows also trains career changers to teach students with disabilities while they earn a subsidized master's.
What the Job Involves
Special education teachers plan and adapt lessons for students with learning, emotional, physical or developmental disabilities. Daily tasks include co-teaching with a general education teacher, running small-group instruction, writing and updating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), tracking progress toward IEP goals, and meeting with families, therapists and school psychologists. In specialized schools, classes are smaller and the work includes behavior support and life skills.
Skills Employers Look For
- New York State Students with Disabilities certification
- IEP writing and progress monitoring
- Co-teaching and differentiated instruction
- Behavior management and de-escalation
- Clear communication with families and related service providers
- Spanish or another second language, a plus in many city schools
Career Path and Advancement
Many New York special education teachers start in an ICT classroom or as a Teaching Fellow, finish their master's, and move up the city salary schedule. From there the path runs to District 75 classrooms, special education coordinator, and assistant principal, and some experienced teachers move into coaching and program leadership at charter networks and nonprofits.
Related Careers in New York
If special education interests you, these related New York roles are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
What certification do you need to teach special education in New York?
You need a New York State Students with Disabilities certificate from the State Education Department, such as the All Grades or Birth-Grade 2 certificate. That means an approved program, the Students with Disabilities content test, and the required workshops, including the autism workshop.
How much do special education teachers make in New York?
NYC Public Schools starts teachers at $71,314 with a bachelor's and $80,166 with a master's, and charter networks post special education ranges from about $68,700 to $137,700. These are estimates that vary by employer and experience.
Can I teach special education in NYC without a teaching degree?
Yes, through NYC Teaching Fellows. Fellows with any bachelor's degree train over the summer, then teach in ICT or SETSS roles on a transitional certificate while earning a subsidized master's. Some charter schools also hire candidates enrolled in an approved program.
What is District 75?
District 75 is the citywide NYC Public Schools district for students with moderate to severe disabilities. Its classes are smaller and specialized, and Teaching Fellows in the generalist special education track are not placed there.
What is an ICT classroom?
ICT stands for integrated co-teaching. A special education teacher and a general education teacher share one class that includes students with and without IEPs, and it is where NYC Teaching Fellows in the special education generalist track usually start.
Ready to apply? Browse all Special Education Teacher jobs in New York, NY on LocalJobPage and apply today.