Special Education and Teaching at Chemeketa Community College

Salem, OR · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 6,457 students in Salem, OR.

Program Analysis

Chemeketa Community College's Special Education and Teaching program produces graduates earning $32,829/yr — within striking distance of the $35,218 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 32.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Special Education and Teaching programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Special Education and Teaching's career paths, with 44% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 19% gap from the optimistic case.

This program is one of 2 schools offering Special Education and Teaching in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Earnings grow from $32,829 to $40,592 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
39
Low End
44
Score
46
High End
Earnings $32,829/yr (-7% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (56% shielded)
Job Market Large (34,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$422K
5.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
34.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$12,420
Out-of-state: $27,810
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$40,592
24% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Special Education and Teaching graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Education teachers, postsecondary $72,090 +2.1% 51%
Special education teachers, secondary school $69,590 -1.6% 70%
Special education teachers, all other $67,430 +1.1% 52%
Education teachers, postsecondary
$72,090
+2.1% growth 51% AI-proof
Special education teachers, secondary school
$69,590
-1.6% growth 70% AI-proof
Special education teachers, all other
$67,430
+1.1% growth 52% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

About Special Education and Teaching Careers

Your career will likely begin in a secondary or middle school classroom, working directly with students who have a range of learning, mental, or physical disabilities. Your day-to-day work involves adapting standard lessons in subjects like math and reading, managing Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and using specialized software or assistive technology to help students succeed. You’ll spend less time lecturing and more time in one-on-one or small-group settings, collaborating closely with general education teachers and parents.

Read the full Special Education and Teaching career guide →

Compare & Explore

Special Education and Teaching Overview

Special Education and Teaching at Other Schools

Other Majors at Chemeketa Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Special Education and Teaching at Chemeketa Community College?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Special Education and Teaching programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Will AI affect Special Education and Teaching careers?
The 44% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →