Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN is $47,070/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $65K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.43), which stretches that salary to about $50,380 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,242/month — about 38% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $47K get you in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Lafayette-West Lafayette’s Regional Price Parity (93.43). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $47K. Top earners bring in $65K or more, a $18K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $91K | +44% | 17,920 |
| Washington | $85K | +35% | 3,290 |
| District of Columbia | $82K | +31% | 1,140 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +29% | 2,570 |
| New York | $81K | +28% | 20,500 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | +25% | 6,650 |
| Oregon | $78K | +24% | 1,730 |
| Rhode Island | $78K | +24% | 1,210 |
| Alaska | $77K | +23% | 370 |
| Illinois | $76K | +21% | 12,550 |
| New Jersey | $76K | +20% | 10,700 |
| Maryland | $76K | +20% | 3,640 |
| Michigan | $76K | +20% | 3,600 |
| Georgia | $68K | +7% | 9,700 |
| New Mexico | $66K | +6% | 1,000 |
| Virginia | $65K | +3% | 7,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $65K | +2% | 6,850 |
| Ohio | $64K | +2% | 10,050 |
| Wyoming | $64K | +1% | 610 |
| Nevada | $63K | +1% | 490 |
| Minnesota | $63K | +1% | 3,850 |
| Vermont | $63K | +0% | 910 |
| New Hampshire | $62K | -1% | 980 |
| Idaho | $62K | -1% | 720 |
| Nebraska | $61K | -3% | 1,460 |
| Alabama | $61K | -3% | 660 |
| Tennessee | $61K | -3% | 4,100 |
| South Carolina | $61K | -4% | 2,580 |
| Texas | $60K | -4% | 41,010 |
| Montana | $60K | -4% | 560 |
| Maine | $60K | -5% | 890 |
| Wisconsin | $60K | -5% | 3,340 |
| Kansas | $59K | -6% | 1,590 |
| Delaware | $59K | -6% | 880 |
| Utah | $59K | -6% | 2,080 |
| Indiana | $58K | -8% | 3,710 |
| North Dakota | $58K | -8% | 720 |
| Kentucky | $57K | -9% | 3,660 |
| North Carolina | $56K | -11% | 4,640 |
| Hawaii | $56K | -11% | 500 |
| Iowa | $55K | -12% | 1,820 |
| Louisiana | $54K | -14% | 3,510 |
| Florida | $53K | -16% | 8,450 |
| Missouri | $52K | -17% | 2,240 |
| Arkansas | $52K | -18% | 1,310 |
| South Dakota | $50K | -20% | 800 |
| Arizona | $50K | -21% | 2,220 |
| West Virginia | $50K | -21% | 2,280 |
| Oklahoma | $49K | -22% | 2,180 |
| Mississippi | $49K | -22% | 2,310 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Lafayette-West Lafayette numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN?
The median is $47,070 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,070, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $64,730. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $47K enough to live in Lafayette-West Lafayette?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,202/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,242/month, which eats 38.8% 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 Lafayette-West Lafayette?
Lafayette-West Lafayette has a Regional Price Parity of 93.43 (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 $50,380 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.