What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in the U.S. earn more than $74,260 a year — the middle 80% land between $49,800 and $109,100. About 163,930 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Special Education Teachers, Secondary School”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$74,260typical pay / year
163,930people in this work
$109,100+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Coordinate1
Coordinate with parents and support staff
+Coordinate with the parents and support staff of Jackson, Maya, and two other students this week: schedule…
Coordinate with parents and support staff
+Coordinate with the parents and support staff of Jackson, Maya, and two other students this week: schedule three individual check-ins, compile recent behaviour and progress notes, agree on at-home strategies, and email the joint support plan to everyone.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Make1
Employ special educational strategies and techniques
+Prepare and schedule a three-week intervention plan for Maya Thompson that lists baseline assessments, daily…
Employ special educational strategies and techniques
+Prepare and schedule a three-week intervention plan for Maya Thompson that lists baseline assessments, daily behaviour targets, sensory breaks, and scaffolded tasks so therapists can trial strategies from Monday and report progress each Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Move2
Teach academic, social, and life skills to students
+Design a fortnightly skills sequence for Rowan class that combines explicit reading instruction, social…
Teach academic, social, and life skills to students
+Design a fortnightly skills sequence for Rowan class that combines explicit reading instruction, social scripts, and two life-skills sessions per week, attach exemplar activities and quick assessment rubrics so support staff can deliver and score reliably.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Maintain order among students
+Create a daily supervision roster and de-escalation checklist for the 9–11am block to keep Year 8 students on…
Maintain order among students
+Create a daily supervision roster and de-escalation checklist for the 9–11am block to keep Year 8 students on task, include seating plan, trigger signs, and immediate response steps so cover staff can maintain safety.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Exceljob descriptionsO*NET
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Protecting1
Adapt curriculum to meet student needs
+Rewrite the science unit into three accessibility levels with learning objectives, modified tasks, and…
Adapt curriculum to meet student needs
+Rewrite the science unit into three accessibility levels with learning objectives, modified tasks, and assessment outcomes for Hassan so teachers can pick the right sheet and record progress after each lesson.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOjob descriptions
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Get approval1
Advise parents and staff on student needs
+Draft a concise one-page briefing for Aisha and Tom that summarises Liam’s current needs, recommended…
Advise parents and staff on student needs
+Draft a concise one-page briefing for Aisha and Tom that summarises Liam’s current needs, recommended classroom adjustments, suggested home activities, and a clear next-meeting action list so parents and staff leave with agreed steps.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work16
Develop and establish achievable education plans
+Draft and finalise individual education plans for Maya, Jalen and Siti that set realistic goals, measurable…
Develop and establish achievable education plans
+Draft and finalise individual education plans for Maya, Jalen and Siti that set realistic goals, measurable success criteria and support accommodations, then circulate the signed plans to their parents and the school principal by Thursday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Outlookjob descriptionsO*NET
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Attend professional meetings and training
+Register and prepare for the district inclusion workshop on Tuesday, collect meeting agenda and notes from…
Attend professional meetings and training
+Register and prepare for the district inclusion workshop on Tuesday, collect meeting agenda and notes from Sarah, summarise three takeaways and actions for our team, then email the summary and training materials to the staff before Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Assist and instruct students with intellectual disabilities and autism
+Run the morning support session for two students with autism, use their visual schedules and staged…
Assist and instruct students with intellectual disabilities and autism
+Run the morning support session for two students with autism, use their visual schedules and staged prompting, record prompts used and progress against communication targets, then debrief with parents and the speech therapist at 3pm.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordESCOO*NET
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Maintain student records and prepare reports
+Update each student's file with fortnightly behaviour logs, assessment scores and intervention notes,…
Maintain student records and prepare reports
+Update each student's file with fortnightly behaviour logs, assessment scores and intervention notes, generate the term progress report summary for the SEND coordinator and send it to the principal by Monday lunchtime.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Wordjob descriptionsO*NET
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Assess students' progress
+Run the three-tiered progress checks for Year 7 students this week, compare current attainment to baseline,…
Assess students' progress
+Run the three-tiered progress checks for Year 7 students this week, compare current attainment to baseline, flag six students not meeting targets with recommended interventions, and send the list to the head of teaching by Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelESCOjob descriptions
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Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
+Prepare tomorrow's life-skills lesson packs: print visual supports, label activity stations, set up sensory…
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
+Prepare tomorrow's life-skills lesson packs: print visual supports, label activity stations, set up sensory corner, and place student kits on the trolley with behaviour prompts and two spare reinforcement charts.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Provide additional instruction in vocational areas.
+Draft and send a two-week plan of extra vocational instruction for three trainees in hospitality and…
Provide additional instruction in vocational areas.
+Draft and send a two-week plan of extra vocational instruction for three trainees in hospitality and automotive skills, include clear learning targets, adaptations for one student with a visual impairment, and request parent consent by next Friday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
+Prepare a sponsorship proposal for the robotics club and regional math contest, list costs, volunteer roles,…
Sponsor extracurricular activities, such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
+Prepare a sponsorship proposal for the robotics club and regional math contest, list costs, volunteer roles, timeline through June, and ask the principal and PTA lead to approve funding by the end of the month.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Work with general teachers and specialists
+Set up a fortnightly collaboration packet for general teachers and the speech therapist: include shared…
Work with general teachers and specialists
+Set up a fortnightly collaboration packet for general teachers and the speech therapist: include shared student goals, suggested in-class adaptations, and a short behaviour monitoring template to start this Wednesday.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Use communication skills to build rapport
+Compose a one-page guide with conversation starters and active-listening prompts to help staff build rapport…
Use communication skills to build rapport
+Compose a one-page guide with conversation starters and active-listening prompts to help staff build rapport with students, include examples for new intake days and a suggestion to track progress weekly.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft Wordjob descriptions
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Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
+Teach the class a short routine for sharing spaces and taking turns using role-play, a token chart for earned…
Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
+Teach the class a short routine for sharing spaces and taking turns using role-play, a token chart for earned privileges, and a one-week rewards plan — observe each child, note triggers, and adjust reinforcement immediately.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft PowerPointO*NET
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Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
+Design a series of four exploratory tasks that scaffold challenge across weeks, introduce persistence…
Prepare students for later grades by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
+Design a series of four exploratory tasks that scaffold challenge across weeks, introduce persistence strategies and reflection prompts, and send progress briefs to parents so students practise perseverance before next term.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
+Run daily observation rounds for two weeks, record each student’s task completion, social interactions, and…
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
+Run daily observation rounds for two weeks, record each student’s task completion, social interactions, and health notes on a standard checklist, then write a three-page evaluation highlighting concerns and recommended supports.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
+Meet with the receiving teachers and the parents, review each candidate’s functional profile and…
Coordinate placement of students with special needs into mainstream classes.
+Meet with the receiving teachers and the parents, review each candidate’s functional profile and accommodation needs, create a stepwise inclusion plan with trial dates, and schedule classroom supports for the first six weeks.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft WordMicrosoft OutlookO*NET
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Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
+Audit the classroom for access gaps, source appropriate assistive devices and task adaptations, train staff…
Provide assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities, such as restrooms.
+Audit the classroom for access gaps, source appropriate assistive devices and task adaptations, train staff on safe transfers and restroom assistance, and log issued equipment with maintenance dates.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
+Plan and deliver a 45-minute lesson combining short lecture, guided discussion, and live demonstration on the…
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
+Plan and deliver a 45-minute lesson combining short lecture, guided discussion, and live demonstration on the topic, include differentiated tasks, collect formative checks, and annotate next-step notes for each student.
The tools that do the workMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordO*NET
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Says who?
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses