Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Mississippi is $50,570/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $61K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.9), which stretches that salary to about $56,884 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,077/month, about 32.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Mississippi. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $51K get you in Mississippi?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Mississippi
Pay for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Mississippi runs about 22% below the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,077/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.9 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% 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, Mississippi
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K. Top earners bring in $61K or more, a $14K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Mississippi
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport-Biloxi | $52K | +3% | 360 |
| Jackson | $51K | +0% | 520 |
| Hattiesburg | $48K | -5% | 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 Mississippi numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Mississippi?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $51K, rent takes 32.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,077/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/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 Mississippi?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,796/month. At HUD’s $1,077/month FMR, rent would take 39% 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 Mississippi?
Local pay runs 22% below the national median — $51K here vs. $65K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Mississippi compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Mississippi pays $51K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s -22%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.9), the purchasing-power equivalent is $57K — below the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Mississippi?
The median is $50,570 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,600, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $60,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Mississippi?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,358/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,077/month, which eats 32.1% 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 Mississippi?
Mississippi has a Regional Price Parity of 88.9 (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 $56,884 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.