Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, middle school in Iowa is $63,590/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $90K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.86), which stretches that salary to about $71,562 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,064/month, or 25.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Iowa. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $64K get you in Iowa?
About special education teachers, middle schools
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What this looks like in Iowa
Special education teachers, middle school pay in Iowa tracks closely to the national median, $64K locally vs. $67K nationwide, a 5% difference. Rent runs $1,064/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.86 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Iowa
Entry-level special education teachers, middle schools (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K. Top earners bring in $90K or more, a $44K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by metro in Iowa
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $73K | +15% | 50 |
| Cedar Rapids | $64K | +1% | 200 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines | $64K | +0% | N/A |
| Iowa City | $63K | -1% | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | $63K | -1% | 140 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, middle school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Iowa numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, middle school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Iowa?
Yes — at the median salary of $64K, rent takes 25.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,064/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, middle schools in Iowa?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, middle schools typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,789/month. At HUD’s $1,064/month FMR, rent would take 38% 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 Iowa?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $64K locally vs. $67K nationally, a 5% difference.
How does Iowa compare to the national average for special education teachers, middle schools?
Iowa pays $64K median vs. the U.S. average of $67K — that’s -5%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.86), the purchasing-power equivalent is $72K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, middle schools make in Iowa?
The median is $63,590 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,490, and experienced special education teachers, middle schools can clear $90,460. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Iowa?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,160/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,064/month, which eats 25.6% 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 Iowa?
Iowa has a Regional Price Parity of 88.86 (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 $71,562 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.