Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Arizona is $56,030/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 96.41), that's roughly $58,116 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,437/month, about 38.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arizona. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $56K get you in Arizona?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Arizona
Pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Arizona runs about 14% below the U.S. median of $65K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,437/month, which is 37.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 96.41) 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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arizona
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K. Top earners bring in $75K or more, a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Arizona
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler | $59K | +5% | 1,430 |
| Tucson | $51K | -10% | 620 |
| Yuma | $49K | -13% | 80 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman | $47K | -15% | 50 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott | $47K | -16% | 40 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas | $46K | -19% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arizona numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arizona?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $56K, rent takes 37.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,437/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools in Arizona?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,784/month. At HUD’s $1,437/month FMR, rent would take 52% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school a high-paying job in Arizona?
Local pay runs 14% below the national median — $56K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Arizona compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Arizona pays $56K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s -14%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 96.41), the purchasing-power equivalent is $58K — below the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Arizona?
The median is $56,030 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,400, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $75,420. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in Arizona?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,805/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,437/month, which eats 37.8% 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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary go in Arizona?
Arizona has a Regional Price Parity of 96.41 (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 special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary is worth about $58,116 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools 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.