Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education Salary
In Montana, kindergarten teachers, except special educations earn $47,590 at the median. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $81K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $49,062 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,129/month, about 34.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Montana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $48K get you in Montana?
About kindergarten teachers, except special educations
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Montana
Pay for kindergarten teachers, except special education in Montana runs about 24% below the U.S. median of $63K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,129/month, which is 35.1% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. That combination, below-market pay with high housing costs, makes this a financially demanding market for kindergarten teachers, except special educations.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level kindergarten teachers, except special educations (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $81K or more, a $43K spread from bottom to top.
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education salary by metro in Montana
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missoula | $47K | -0% | 40 |
| Great Falls | $46K | -3% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track kindergarten teachers, except special education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
Can a kindergarten teachers, except special education afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $48K, rent takes 35.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/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 kindergarten teachers, except special educations in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new kindergarten teachers, except special educations typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,314/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 49% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is kindergarten teachers, except special education a high-paying job in Montana?
Local pay runs 24% below the national median — $48K here vs. $63K nationally.
How does Montana compare to the national average for kindergarten teachers, except special educations?
Montana pays $48K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s -24%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $49K — below the national median.
How much do kindergarten teachers, except special educations make in Montana?
The median is $47,590 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,570, and experienced kindergarten teachers, except special educations can clear $81,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,215/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 35.1% 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 kindergarten teachers, except special education salary go in Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 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 kindergarten teachers, except special education salary is worth about $49,062 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do kindergarten 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.