Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary in Columbia, MO
The median pay for a middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education in Columbia, MO is $50,490/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.44), which stretches that salary to about $56,451 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,160/month — about 35% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $50K get you in Columbia?
About middle school teachers, except special and career/technical educations
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, MO
Entry-level middle school teachers, except special and career/technical educations (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K.Top earners bring in $75K or more - a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $99K | +57% | 11,110 |
| California | $97K | +54% | 46,530 |
| Rhode Island | $90K | +42% | 2,380 |
| Massachusetts | $84K | +34% | 16,480 |
| New York | $83K | +31% | 34,830 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +29% | 7,880 |
| District of Columbia | $78K | +24% | 1,510 |
| Oregon | $78K | +24% | 6,640 |
| New Jersey | $78K | +23% | 26,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $77K | +22% | 25,980 |
| Maryland | $76K | +21% | 11,700 |
| Alaska | $76K | +21% | 1,170 |
| Utah | $75K | +20% | 5,320 |
| New Mexico | $74K | +17% | 4,120 |
| Ohio | $67K | +6% | 26,780 |
Track middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbia numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
How much do middle school teachers, except special and career/technical educations make in Columbia, MO?
The median is $50,490 a year. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $38,270, and experienced middle school teachers, except special and career/technical educations can clear $74,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,417/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,160/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 33.9% 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 middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary go in Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.44 (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 middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary is worth about $56,451 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do middle school teachers, except special and career/technical 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.