Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Pennsylvania is $72,680/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $76,529 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 27.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $73K get you in Pennsylvania?
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,351/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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, Pennsylvania
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary by metro in Pennsylvania
14 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | $78K | +8% | 340 |
| Reading | $77K | +6% | 280 |
| York-Hanover | $76K | +5% | 300 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $75K | +3% | 530 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $74K | +2% | 5,660 |
| Chambersburg | $68K | -7% | 80 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $65K | -11% | 440 |
| Pittsburgh | $63K | -13% | 990 |
| State College | $63K | -14% | 70 |
| Altoona | $62K | -14% | 50 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $62K | -15% | 290 |
| Williamsport | $62K | -15% | 80 |
| Erie | $61K | -16% | 170 |
| Johnstown | $61K | -16% | 90 |
Showing 1–10 of 14 metros
Compare to other states
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $73K, rent takes 28.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/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 Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,104/month. At HUD’s $1,351/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 Pennsylvania?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $73K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools?
Pennsylvania pays $73K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $77K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $72,680 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $51,730, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $98,170. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,774/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 28.3% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (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 $76,529 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.