Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Minnesota is $67,620/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $96K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.6), which stretches that salary to about $73,024 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,384/month, about 31.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Minnesota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $68K get you in Minnesota?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Minnesota
Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school pay in Minnesota tracks closely to the national median, $68K locally vs. $65K nationwide, a 4% difference. Rent runs $1,384/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. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.6 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 7% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Minnesota
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $68K. Top earners bring in $96K or more, a $47K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Minnesota
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | $76K | +13% | 2,340 |
| St. Cloud | $71K | +5% | 180 |
| Duluth | $66K | -2% | 180 |
| Rochester | $66K | -3% | 200 |
| Mankato | $61K | -10% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Minnesota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Minnesota?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $68K, rent takes 31.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,384/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,300/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 Minnesota?
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 $2,943/month. At HUD’s $1,384/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 Minnesota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $68K locally vs. $65K nationally, a 4% difference.
How does Minnesota compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Minnesota pays $68K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +4%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.6), the purchasing-power equivalent is $73K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Minnesota?
The median is $67,620 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,050, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $96,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $68K enough to live in Minnesota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,399/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,384/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 Minnesota?
Minnesota has a Regional Price Parity of 92.6 (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 $73,024 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.