Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Massachusetts is $91,350/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $61K at the entry level to $127K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.09), that's roughly $91,268 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,347/month, about 40.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Massachusetts. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $91K get you in Massachusetts?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Massachusetts
Massachusetts sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, local pay runs about 40% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $2,347/month, which is 41.4% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 100.09) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Massachusetts
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $61K. Mid-career wages sit at $91K. Top earners bring in $127K or more, a $66K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Massachusetts
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | $97K | +7% | 4,980 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | $85K | -7% | 90 |
| Worcester | $81K | -11% | 960 |
| Barnstable Town | $81K | -11% | 160 |
| Springfield | $80K | -12% | 600 |
| Pittsfield | $64K | -29% | 140 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Massachusetts numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Massachusetts?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $91K, rent takes 41.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,347/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,700/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 Massachusetts?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools typically earn — is $61K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,672/month. At HUD’s $2,347/month FMR, rent would take 64% 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 Massachusetts?
Local pay is 40% above the national median — $91K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Massachusetts compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Massachusetts pays $91K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +40%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 100.09), the purchasing-power equivalent is $91K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Massachusetts?
The median is $91,350 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $61,200, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $127,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $91K enough to live in Massachusetts?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,674/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,347/month, which eats 41.4% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a Regional Price Parity of 100.09 (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 $91,268 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.