Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
The median pay for a special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA is $91,730/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $64K at the entry level to $132K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $87,014 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 33.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $92K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro’s Regional Price Parity (105.42). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools (10th percentile) start around $64K. Mid-career wages sit at $92K. Top earners bring in $132K or more, a $67K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $91K | +44% | 17,920 |
| Washington | $85K | +35% | 3,290 |
| District of Columbia | $82K | +31% | 1,140 |
| Connecticut | $81K | +29% | 2,570 |
| New York | $81K | +28% | 20,500 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | +25% | 6,650 |
| Oregon | $78K | +24% | 1,730 |
| Rhode Island | $78K | +24% | 1,210 |
| Alaska | $77K | +23% | 370 |
| Illinois | $76K | +21% | 12,550 |
| New Jersey | $76K | +20% | 10,700 |
| Maryland | $76K | +20% | 3,640 |
| Michigan | $76K | +20% | 3,600 |
| Georgia | $68K | +7% | 9,700 |
| New Mexico | $66K | +6% | 1,000 |
| Virginia | $65K | +3% | 7,010 |
| Pennsylvania | $65K | +2% | 6,850 |
| Ohio | $64K | +2% | 10,050 |
| Wyoming | $64K | +1% | 610 |
| Nevada | $63K | +1% | 490 |
| Minnesota | $63K | +1% | 3,850 |
| Vermont | $63K | +0% | 910 |
| New Hampshire | $62K | -1% | 980 |
| Idaho | $62K | -1% | 720 |
| Nebraska | $61K | -3% | 1,460 |
| Alabama | $61K | -3% | 660 |
| Tennessee | $61K | -3% | 4,100 |
| South Carolina | $61K | -4% | 2,580 |
| Texas | $60K | -4% | 41,010 |
| Montana | $60K | -4% | 560 |
| Maine | $60K | -5% | 890 |
| Wisconsin | $60K | -5% | 3,340 |
| Kansas | $59K | -6% | 1,590 |
| Delaware | $59K | -6% | 880 |
| Utah | $59K | -6% | 2,080 |
| Indiana | $58K | -8% | 3,710 |
| North Dakota | $58K | -8% | 720 |
| Kentucky | $57K | -9% | 3,660 |
| North Carolina | $56K | -11% | 4,640 |
| Hawaii | $56K | -11% | 500 |
| Iowa | $55K | -12% | 1,820 |
| Louisiana | $54K | -14% | 3,510 |
| Florida | $53K | -16% | 8,450 |
| Missouri | $52K | -17% | 2,240 |
| Arkansas | $52K | -18% | 1,310 |
| South Dakota | $50K | -20% | 800 |
| Arizona | $50K | -21% | 2,220 |
| West Virginia | $50K | -21% | 2,280 |
| Oklahoma | $49K | -22% | 2,180 |
| Mississippi | $49K | -22% | 2,310 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $91,730 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $64,420, and experienced special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary schools can clear $131,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $92K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,451/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month, which eats 35.3% 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (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 $87,014 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.