Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education Salary
The median pay for a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education in Missouri is $59,240/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.97), which stretches that salary to about $66,584 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,097/month, or 28.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Missouri. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $59K get you in Missouri?
About secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations
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What this looks like in Missouri
Pay for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education in Missouri runs about 18% below the U.S. median of $72K. Rent runs $1,097/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27.7% 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary by metro in Missouri
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | $62K | +5% | 9,870 |
| Kansas City | $61K | +3% | 7,750 |
| Springfield | $60K | +1% | 1,550 |
| Columbia | $59K | -1% | 950 |
| Jefferson City | $51K | -14% | 710 |
| Joplin | $51K | -14% | 580 |
| St. Joseph | $50K | -16% | 360 |
| Cape Girardeau | $49K | -18% | 290 |
Compare to other states
Track secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education afford a 2BR apartment alone in Missouri?
Yes — at the median salary of $59K, rent takes 27.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,097/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations in Missouri?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations typically earn — is $41K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,432/month. At HUD’s $1,097/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education a high-paying job in Missouri?
Local pay runs 18% below the national median — $59K here vs. $72K 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations?
Missouri pays $59K median vs. the U.S. average of $72K — that’s -18%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $67K — below the national median.
How much do secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations make in Missouri?
The median is $59,240 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,540, and experienced secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical educations can clear $79,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Missouri?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,967/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,097/month, which eats 27.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical 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 secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education salary is worth about $66,584 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do secondary 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.