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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Overview

Open roles122+
Top employerSan Francisco Unified School District
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring62
Work type97% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 122+ Special Education Teacher jobs

Special Education Teacher
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New 7h ago
Special Education Teacher
Symbal Education
Oakland, California
Corporate Training
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Learning & Development
$65 - $70/hr
On-Site
Teaching Certification

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Elementary Special Education Teacher
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New 9h ago
Elementary Special Education Teacher
Center for Developing Minds
Los Gatos, California
Corporate Training & Learning Development
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$85k - $100k/yr
On-Site
CPR Certification

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Special Education Teacher (Education Specialist)
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Added 1d ago
Special Education Teacher (Education Specialist)
Spreckels Union School District
Spreckels, California
Corporate Training
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Curriculum Design
Instructional Design
$53k - $102k/yr
Special Education Certification
51-200

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RSP Teacher / Special Education Case Manager | Reseda, Los Angeles
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Added 1d ago
RSP Teacher / Special Education Case Manager | Reseda, Los Angeles
The Lingual Tree
Reseda, California
Community & Nonprofit Services
Human Resources
Social Work & Counseling
$50 - $60/hr
On-Site
Special Education Certification

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Special Education Teacher - SDCCC (English Preferred)
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Added 2d ago
Special Education Teacher - SDCCC (English Preferred)
William S. Hart Union High School District
Santa Clarita, California
Higher Education
K-12 Teaching
Teaching & Instruction
$60k - $106k/yr
High school
1,001-5,000

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See All 122+ Special Education Teacher Jobs in California

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Special Education Teacher Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Oakland
9 jobs
Los Angeles
6 jobs
Redwood City
5 jobs
San Jose
3 jobs
Fairfield
3 jobs
Palo Alto
3 jobs
San Diego
3 jobs
Fresno
2 jobs

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 District8
  • KIPP Public Schools Northern California8
  • Lifelong Learning7
  • LEARN Academy6

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Government & Public Sector

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 November 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 3% of special education teacher openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 122+ Special Education Teacher Jobs in California

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