Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Connecticut is $82,950/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $107K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.88), that's roughly $80,628 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,679/month, about 32.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Connecticut. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $83K get you in Connecticut?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Connecticut
Connecticut sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, local pay runs about 27% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,679/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 102.88) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Connecticut
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K. Top earners bring in $107K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Connecticut
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | $96K | +16% | 770 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | $88K | +6% | 260 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | $82K | -1% | 930 |
| New Haven | $79K | -5% | 460 |
| Waterbury-Shelton | $78K | -6% | 270 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Connecticut numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Connecticut?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $83K, rent takes 32.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,679/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,600/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 Connecticut?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools typically earn — is $59K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,514/month. At HUD’s $1,679/month FMR, rent would take 48% 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 Connecticut?
Local pay is 27% above the national median — $83K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Connecticut compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Connecticut pays $83K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +27%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Connecticut?
The median is $82,950 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $58,560, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $107,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in Connecticut?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,219/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,679/month, which eats 32.2% 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 Connecticut?
Connecticut has a Regional Price Parity of 102.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary is worth about $80,628 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.