Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Michigan is $74,600/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.89), which stretches that salary to about $79,455 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,272/month, or 25.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Michigan. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $75K get you in Michigan?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Michigan
Michigan sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,272/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% 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, Michigan
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $52K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Michigan
13 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $79K | +6% | 1,920 |
| Saginaw | $77K | +4% | 100 |
| Lansing-East Lansing | $75K | +1% | 170 |
| Battle Creek | $73K | -2% | 30 |
| Jackson | $73K | -2% | 40 |
| Ann Arbor | $67K | -11% | 230 |
| Niles | $66K | -12% | 50 |
| Flint | $66K | -12% | 130 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | $64K | -14% | 110 |
| Monroe | $63K | -16% | 40 |
| Traverse City | $62K | -17% | 80 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood | $62K | -17% | 390 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores | $60K | -20% | 60 |
Showing 1–10 of 13 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Michigan numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Michigan?
Yes — at the median salary of $75K, rent takes 26.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,272/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 Michigan?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,923/month. At HUD’s $1,272/month FMR, rent would take 44% 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 Michigan?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $75K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Michigan compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Michigan pays $75K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $79K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Michigan?
The median is $74,600 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,720, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $100,370. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Michigan?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,808/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,272/month, which eats 26.5% 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 Michigan?
Michigan has a Regional Price Parity of 93.89 (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 $79,455 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.