Special Education Teacher Jobs in California
Special Education Teacher jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with strong demand in K-12 public school districts, non-public agencies, and regional center-contracted programs at every level from first-year credential holders through experienced program specialists. Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego are the largest hiring markets, home to major districts and providers like the Los Angeles Unified School District, Sacramento City Unified School District, and Maxim Healthcare Services. The most sought-after specializations include autism spectrum disorder support, emotional disturbance, and moderate-to-severe disabilities credentials. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position: School-Based Occupational Therapist
Pay Range: $50-60/hr
Location: Fontana, CA
Job Duties:
- Plan and implement daily lessons based on assigned curriculum
- Create and implement goals for student IEPs
- Manage student behaviors
- Collaborate with all school and Ensemble staff
- Create and maintain documentation for all communication with staff and families
- Complete reports
- Conduct student assessments
- Perform administrative duties as needed
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Valid CA Education Specialist credential
- Autism authorization
Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental & vision )
- Voluntary life coverage
- Critical illness coverage
- Long term disability coverage
- Accidental coverage
- Vacation hours
- Paid sick hours
- Annual CEU reimbursement
- 401K plan
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Employee assistance program
- Employee referral bonus program
- Relocation Assistance
Position: School-Based Occupational Therapist
Pay Range: $50-60/hr
Location: Fontana, CA
Job Duties:
- Plan and implement daily lessons based on assigned curriculum
- Create and implement goals for student IEPs
- Manage student behaviors
- Collaborate with all school and Ensemble staff
- Create and maintain documentation for all communication with staff and families
- Complete reports
- Conduct student assessments
- Perform administrative duties as needed
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited university
- Valid CA Education Specialist credential
- Autism authorization
Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits package (medical, dental & vision )
- Voluntary life coverage
- Critical illness coverage
- Long term disability coverage
- Accidental coverage
- Vacation hours
- Paid sick hours
- Annual CEU reimbursement
- 401K plan
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Employee assistance program
- Employee referral bonus program
- Relocation Assistance
See All 113+ Special Education Teacher Jobs in California
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Find JobsSpecial Education Teacher Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
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 District18
- Oakland Unified School District9
- KIPP Public Schools Northern California6
- Lifelong Learning5
- LEARN Academy4
Top Industries Hiring
- Education18
- Government & Public Sector8
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in special education teacher jobs across California.
- Active California Education Specialist Instruction Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- Bachelor's degree in special education or a closely related field from an accredited institution
- Experience implementing Individualized Education Programs for students with diverse learning needs
- Proficiency in evidence-based instructional strategies such as applied behavior analysis and differentiated instruction
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for collaboration with parents, staff, and multidisciplinary teams
- Familiarity with California special education law, IDEA compliance requirements, and state assessment procedures
Special Education Teacher Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a special education teacher in California?
You become a special education teacher in California by earning an Education Specialist Instruction Credential from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. This requires completing a state-approved credential program, passing the California Basic Educational Skills Test and the Education Specialist exams, and fulfilling a student teaching requirement. Most programs lead to a preliminary credential covering a specific special education population, such as mild-to-moderate or moderate-to-severe disabilities, which you then clear through additional coursework and mentoring.
How much do special education teachers make in California?
Special education teachers in California earn a median of about $59,550 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $38,050 for the lowest 10% to over $117,700 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire special education teachers in California?
Employers hiring special education teachers in California right now include San Francisco Unified School District, Oakland Unified School District, and KIPP Public Schools Northern California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's large urban school districts and network of non-public schools and regional center contractors make it one of the most varied hiring landscapes for special educators in the country.
Which California cities have the most special education teacher jobs?
San Francisco, Oakland, and Los Angeles have the most special education teacher openings in California. Los Angeles dominates due to its sheer district size and the density of non-public agency providers, while Sacramento and San Diego draw volume from large unified districts, county offices of education, and regional center partner programs that serve students with developmental disabilities across surrounding counties.
Are there remote special education teacher jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Special education teaching is fundamentally hands-on, requiring direct student support, IEP meetings, and campus-based instruction that can't fully move online. About 0% of special education teacher openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to involve virtual school programs or teletherapy-adjacent instructional roles rather than traditional classroom placements.
How can I get hired as a special education teacher in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying as a special education instructional aide or paraeducator within a California unified school district while completing your Education Specialist Credential program. Large districts such as Los Angeles Unified and San Diego Unified regularly hire paraeducators without prior classroom experience and offer intern credential pathways that let you teach of record while you finish your preparation program. Building direct experience with students who have IEPs in this role, combined with earning your California credential, is the clearest route to a full teaching position.
Where can I find and apply to special education teacher jobs in California?
You can find and apply to special education teacher jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across school districts, non-public agencies, and regional center contractors. Find the roles that fit your credential area and experience level and apply directly.
See All 113+ Special Education Teacher Jobs in California
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