Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, middle school in Louisiana is $59,420/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $64K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.28), which stretches that salary to about $68,080 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,191/month, about 30.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Louisiana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $59K get you in Louisiana?
About special education teachers, middle schools
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What this looks like in Louisiana
Pay for special education teachers, middle school in Louisiana runs about 11% below the U.S. median of $67K. Rent runs $1,191/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.28 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 13% 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, Louisiana
Entry-level special education teachers, middle schools (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by metro in Louisiana
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | $61K | +3% | 130 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | $60K | +1% | 110 |
| Baton Rouge | $60K | +1% | 270 |
| Lake Charles | $52K | -12% | 110 |
| Lafayette | $48K | -18% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, middle school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Louisiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, middle school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Louisiana?
Yes — at the median salary of $59K, rent takes 29.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,191/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, middle schools in Louisiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, middle schools typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,893/month. At HUD’s $1,191/month FMR, rent would take 41% 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 Louisiana?
Local pay runs 11% below the national median — $59K here vs. $67K nationally. Cost of living is 13% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Louisiana compare to the national average for special education teachers, middle schools?
Louisiana pays $59K median vs. the U.S. average of $67K — that’s -11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.28), the purchasing-power equivalent is $68K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, middle schools make in Louisiana?
The median is $59,420 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,210, and experienced special education teachers, middle schools can clear $64,080. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Louisiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,987/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,191/month, which eats 29.9% 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana has a Regional Price Parity of 87.28 (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 $68,080 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.