Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Maine is $61,880/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $79K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.7), that's roughly $63,337 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,281/month, about 31.7% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Maine. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $62K get you in Maine?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Maine
Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school pay in Maine tracks closely to the national median, $62K locally vs. $65K nationwide, a 5% difference. Rent runs $1,281/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97.7) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Maine
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K. Top earners bring in $79K or more, a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Maine
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland-South Portland | $75K | +22% | 450 |
| Lewiston-Auburn | $60K | -3% | 170 |
| Bangor | $58K | -7% | 150 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Maine numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Maine?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $62K, rent takes 31.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,281/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,200/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 Maine?
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 $2,737/month. At HUD’s $1,281/month FMR, rent would take 47% 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 Maine?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $62K locally vs. $65K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Maine compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Maine pays $62K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97.7), the purchasing-power equivalent is $63K — below the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Maine?
The median is $61,880 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,620, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $79,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Maine?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,067/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,281/month, which eats 31.5% 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 Maine?
Maine has a Regional Price Parity of 97.7 (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 $63,337 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.