Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education Salary
In Missouri, elementary school teachers, except special educations earn $50,910 at the median. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $57,222 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,097/month, about 32.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $51K get you in Missouri?
About elementary school teachers, except special educations
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What this looks like in Missouri
Pay for elementary school teachers, except special education in Missouri runs about 20% below the U.S. median of $64K. Rent runs $1,097/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Missouri
Entry-level elementary school teachers, except special educations (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education salary by metro in Missouri
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $61K | +20% | 11,500 |
| St. Louis | $61K | +19% | 13,440 |
| Springfield | $49K | -3% | 2,400 |
| St. Joseph | $49K | -3% | 770 |
| Joplin | $49K | -4% | 1,100 |
| Jefferson City | $48K | -6% | 600 |
| Columbia | $48K | -6% | 840 |
| Cape Girardeau | $47K | -7% | 1,030 |
Compare to other states
Track elementary school teachers, except special education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Missouri numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a elementary school teachers, except special education afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $51K, rent takes 31.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for elementary school teachers, except special educations in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new elementary school teachers, except special educations typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,399/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is elementary school teachers, except special education a high-paying job in Missouri?
Local pay runs 20% below the national median — $51K here vs. $64K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Missouri compare to the national average for elementary school teachers, except special educations?
Missouri pays $51K median vs. the U.S. average of $64K — that’s -20%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $57K — below the national median.
How much do elementary school teachers, except special educations make in Missouri?
The median is $50,910 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,980, and experienced elementary school teachers, except special educations can clear $78,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,443/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 31.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a elementary school teachers, except special education salary go in Missouri?
Missouri has a Regional Price Parity of 88.97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median elementary school teachers, except special education salary is worth about $57,222 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do elementary school teachers, except special educations get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.