Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, middle school in New York is $93,820/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $132K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 98.21), that's roughly $95,530 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,917/month, about 32.5% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across New York. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $94K get you in New York?
About special education teachers, middle schools
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What this looks like in New York
New York sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, middle school, local pay runs about 40% higher than the U.S. median of $67K. Rent runs $1,917/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 33% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 98.21) 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, New York
Entry-level special education teachers, middle schools (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K. Top earners bring in $132K or more, a $73K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by metro in New York
12 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh | $98K | +4% | 490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $95K | +1% | 8,330 |
| Kingston | $94K | +1% | 60 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $82K | -13% | 330 |
| Syracuse | $76K | -19% | 490 |
| Ithaca | $76K | -19% | 40 |
| Utica-Rome | $76K | -19% | 120 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga | $73K | -23% | 680 |
| Binghamton | $69K | -27% | 130 |
| Glens Falls | $64K | -31% | 70 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum | $64K | -32% | 50 |
| Rochester | $63K | -33% | 490 |
Showing 1–10 of 12 metros
Compare to other states
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when New York numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, middle school afford a 2BR apartment alone in New York?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $94K, rent takes 33% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,917/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,700/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 New York?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, middle schools typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,583/month. At HUD’s $1,917/month FMR, rent would take 54% 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 New York?
Local pay is 40% above the national median — $94K here vs. $67K nationally.
How does New York compare to the national average for special education teachers, middle schools?
New York pays $94K median vs. the U.S. average of $67K — that’s +40%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 98.21), the purchasing-power equivalent is $96K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, middle schools make in New York?
The median is $93,820 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,720, and experienced special education teachers, middle schools can clear $132,490. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in New York?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,817/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,917/month, which eats 33% 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 New York?
New York has a Regional Price Parity of 98.21 (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 $95,530 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.