Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, middle school in Florida is $60,440/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $73K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.58), that's roughly $61,311 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,658/month, about 39.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Florida. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Florida?
About special education teachers, middle schools
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What this looks like in Florida
Special education teachers, middle school pay in Florida tracks closely to the national median, $60K locally vs. $67K nationwide, a 10% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,658/month, which is 39.3% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 98.58) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Florida
Entry-level special education teachers, middle schools (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $73K or more, a $23K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by metro in Florida
6 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota | $63K | +3% | 80 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford | $61K | +1% | 490 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater | $61K | +1% | 500 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach | $58K | -4% | 650 |
| Port St. Lucie | $52K | -15% | 230 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin | $51K | -16% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, middle school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Florida numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, middle school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Florida?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 39.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,658/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, middle schools in Florida?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, middle schools typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,010/month. At HUD’s $1,658/month FMR, rent would take 55% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is special education teachers, middle school a high-paying job in Florida?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $60K locally vs. $67K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does Florida compare to the national average for special education teachers, middle schools?
Florida pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $67K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.58), the purchasing-power equivalent is $61K — below the national median.
How much do special education teachers, middle schools make in Florida?
The median is $60,440 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $50,160, and experienced special education teachers, middle schools can clear $73,210. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Florida?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,217/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,658/month, which eats 39.3% 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, middle school salary go in Florida?
Florida has a Regional Price Parity of 98.58 (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, middle school salary is worth about $61,311 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, middle 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.