Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, middle school in Illinois is $74,730/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $102K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.85), which stretches that salary to about $79,627 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,407/month, or 28.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Illinois. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $75K get you in Illinois?
About special education teachers, middle schools
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What this looks like in Illinois
Illinois sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, middle school, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $67K. Rent runs $1,407/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 93.85 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% 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, Illinois
Entry-level special education teachers, middle schools (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $75K. Top earners bring in $102K or more, a $53K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by metro in Illinois
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $78K | +4% | 3,190 |
| Rockford | $76K | +1% | 140 |
| Springfield | $75K | -0% | 110 |
| Bloomington | $64K | -14% | 30 |
| Decatur | $64K | -15% | 50 |
| Champaign-Urbana | $62K | -17% | 100 |
| Peoria | $61K | -18% | 150 |
| Kankakee | $58K | -23% | 50 |
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Illinois numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, middle school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Illinois?
Yes — at the median salary of $75K, rent takes 29.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,407/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, middle schools in Illinois?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, middle schools typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,980/month. At HUD’s $1,407/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, middle school a high-paying job in Illinois?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $75K here vs. $67K nationally.
How does Illinois compare to the national average for special education teachers, middle schools?
Illinois pays $75K median vs. the U.S. average of $67K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 93.85), the purchasing-power equivalent is $80K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, middle schools make in Illinois?
The median is $74,730 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,660, and experienced special education teachers, middle schools can clear $102,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $75K enough to live in Illinois?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,772/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,407/month, which eats 29.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a special education teachers, middle school salary go in Illinois?
Illinois has a Regional Price Parity of 93.85 (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 $79,627 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.