Middle School Special Education Teacher Jobs in California

Middle School Special Education Teacher jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with consistent demand across public school districts, charter networks, and county offices of education, at levels from first-year credentialed teachers through lead special education specialists. The largest concentrations of openings are in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Sacramento metropolitan area, where employers such as Los Angeles Unified School District, San Diego Unified School District, and Sacramento City Unified School District maintain ongoing hiring. The most in-demand specialties are mild-to-moderate disabilities, autism spectrum support, and emotional disturbance programs. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles7
Top employerSan Francisco Unified School District
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring3
Work type100% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 7+ Middle School Special Education Teacher jobs

Bright Star Schools
26-27 Special Education Teacher (Inclusion) - Valor Academy Middle School
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Bright Star Schools
Added 1w ago
26-27 Special Education Teacher (Inclusion) - Valor Academy Middle School
Bright Star Schools
North Hills, California
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$64k - $137k/yr
Bachelor's degree

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Oakland Unified School District
Teacher: Special Education, Mild/Moderate RSP - Montera Middle School (2026-27)
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Oakland Unified School District
Added 3w ago
Teacher: Special Education, Mild/Moderate RSP - Montera Middle School (2026-27)
Oakland Unified School District
Oakland, California
Corporate Training
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Learning & Development
Teaching & Instruction
Teaching Certification
5,001-10,000

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Oakland Unified School District
Teacher: Special Education, Mild/Moderate RSP (Inclusion Program) - Coliseum College Prep Academy Middle-High School (2026-27)
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Oakland Unified School District
Added 3w ago
Teacher: Special Education, Mild/Moderate RSP (Inclusion Program) - Coliseum College Prep Academy Middle-High School (2026-27)
Oakland Unified School District
Oakland, California
Customer Support
IT Support
Technical Program Management
High school
5,001-10,000

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San Francisco Unified School District
2026-2027 Middle School Special Education- (SDC) Mod/Severe Teacher
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San Francisco Unified School District
Added 5mo ago
2026-2027 Middle School Special Education- (SDC) Mod/Severe Teacher
San Francisco Unified School District
San Francisco, California
Corporate Training & Learning Development
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$73k - $138k/yr
High school
5,001-10,000

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San Francisco Unified School District
2026-2027 Middle School Special Education- (SDC) Mild/Moderate Teacher
We won't show you this job again
San Francisco Unified School District
Added 5mo ago
2026-2027 Middle School Special Education- (SDC) Mild/Moderate Teacher
San Francisco Unified School District
San Francisco, California
Corporate Training & Learning Development
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$73k - $138k/yr
High school
5,001-10,000

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See All 7 Middle School Special Education Teacher Jobs in California

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Middle School Special Education Teacher Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
4 jobs
Oakland
2 jobs
North Hills
1 job

Middle School Special Education Teacher Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

San Francisco Unified School District
San Francisco Unified School District4 open roles
Oakland Unified School District
Oakland Unified School District2 open roles
Bright Star Schools
Bright Star Schools1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Government & Public Sector

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in middle school special education teacher jobs across California.

  • Valid California Education Specialist Instruction Credential for the appropriate disability category
  • Bachelor's degree in special education or a closely related field from an accredited institution
  • Experience delivering IEP development and implementation for middle school students
  • Proficiency with California's required assessment and progress-monitoring documentation processes
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with general education teachers, parents, and support staff
  • Experience working with students with mild-to-moderate or autism spectrum disabilities preferred

Middle School Special Education Teacher Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a middle school special education teacher in California?

You earn a California Education Specialist Instruction Credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Candidates must complete a state-approved educator preparation program, pass the California Subject Examinations for Teachers and the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment, and fulfill student teaching requirements in a special education setting. Most programs are offered through California State University campuses or University of California schools, and the credential must be renewed every five years through professional development.

How much do middle school special education teachers make in California?

Middle school special education teachers in California earn a median of about $101,530 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $68,110 for the lowest 10% to over $127,720 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire middle school special education teachers in California?

Employers hiring middle school special education teachers in California right now include San Francisco Unified School District, Oakland Unified School District, and Bright Star Schools, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large urban and suburban public school districts account for the majority of openings, with county offices of education and charter management organizations also posting consistently throughout the year.

Which California cities have the most middle school special education teacher jobs?

San Francisco, Oakland, and North Hills have the most middle school special education teacher openings in California. Los Angeles dominates the list because of the sheer size of its unified school district, while San Diego and Sacramento reflect strong district-level demand in large metro areas that also host regional county offices of education, creating layered hiring across both district and county levels.

Are there remote middle school special education teacher jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of middle school special education teacher openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of classroom-based special education work. The positions most likely to be remote are IEP coordination, itinerant resource consulting, or telephonic case management roles rather than direct classroom instruction.

How can I get hired as a middle school special education teacher in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying as an intern teacher through California's Teacher Intern Credential program, which allows candidates who have not yet completed a full preparation program to teach while finishing their credential requirements. Large California districts such as Los Angeles Unified and Fresno Unified run their own intern programs specifically to fill special education vacancies. Candidates coming from paraeducator, instructional aide, or behavioral technician roles have a clear advantage because that classroom experience directly transfers, and holding a completed coursework record or provisional credential strengthens any application before the full credential is in hand.

Where can I find and apply to middle school special education teacher jobs in California?

You can find and apply to middle school special education teacher jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings for roles that match your credential area, experience level, and preferred district or region, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 7 Middle School Special Education Teacher Jobs in California

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