Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Arkansas is $54,290/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.64), which stretches that salary to about $61,947 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,021/month, or 28.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arkansas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $54K get you in Arkansas?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Arkansas
Pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Arkansas runs about 17% below the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,021/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.64 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% 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, Arkansas
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $14K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Arkansas
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $62K | +14% | 210 |
| Fort Smith | $59K | +9% | 120 |
| Hot Springs | $59K | +9% | 50 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $56K | +4% | 400 |
| Jonesboro | $55K | +1% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arkansas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arkansas?
Yes — at the median salary of $54K, rent takes 28% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,021/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools in Arkansas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,993/month. At HUD’s $1,021/month FMR, rent would take 34% 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 Arkansas?
Local pay runs 17% below the national median — $54K here vs. $65K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Arkansas compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Arkansas pays $54K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s -17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.64), the purchasing-power equivalent is $62K — below the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Arkansas?
The median is $54,290 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,890, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $63,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Arkansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,643/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,021/month, which eats 28% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary go in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a Regional Price Parity of 87.64 (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 $61,947 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.