Special Education Teacher.
Burlington.
$57,000
median salary, 2% above the national average
$43,000 to $74,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a Special Education Teacher offer in Burlington, VT, here is the reality: $43,000 to $74,000, with $57,000 as the midpoint. 2% above the national average. Certification in specific disability categories, experience managing IEP processes, and willingness to work with high-needs populations drive salary differences. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $51,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$37,000
to $46,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$48,000
to $60,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$63,000
to $74,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$71,000
to $88,000
Salary trend
+4% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.
Base
$57,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $70,000
How Burlington compares
Burlington, VT
$57,000
Cost of living: 6% above average
National Average
$56,000
Burlington is $1,000 above
Special Education Teacher salary by city
Salary by role in Burlington
What you should know
Here is what the Special Education Teacher market actually looks like in Burlington. Burlington is Vermont's largest city and a small but growing hub for technology, healthcare, and sustainable industries. The University of Vermont drives education and research employment. The city attracts remote workers and small tech companies seeking New England quality of life at lower costs than Boston. Certification in specific disability categories, experience managing IEP processes, and willingness to work with high-needs populations drive salary differences. Districts with acute special education teacher shortages offer hiring bonuses and accelerated salary schedules to attract candidates.
First-year Special Education Teachers earn $42,000 to $50,000. Experienced teachers with specialized certifications reach $55,000 to $66,000. Lead Special Education Teachers and Department Chairs earn $68,000 to $82,000, while Special Education Directors command $85,000 to $110,000. In Burlington, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Signing bonuses of $2,000 to $8,000 are common in shortage areas. Extended school year programs provide summer employment earning an additional $3,000 to $7,000. Pension and health benefits mirror general education teachers and add $15,000 to $25,000 in value. And on the tax side: vermont's top income tax rate is 8.75%, one of the highest in the nation. Burlington has no city income tax, but the state burden requires careful salary planning. When someone quotes you $57,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work flexibility. Burlington's lifestyle appeal is a retention tool, but employers know they must offer competitive pay to offset Vermont's high tax rate. The range for Special Education Teachers in Burlington runs from $43,000 to $74,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A IT Support Specialist in Burlington earns $58,000 (2% more)
- The highest-paying role in Burlington is Chief AI Officer at $329,000
Common questions.
Special Education Teacher salary in other cities
Other salaries in Burlington
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.