Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, middle school in Pennsylvania is $77,040/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $52K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.97), which stretches that salary to about $81,120 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,351/month, or 26.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Pennsylvania. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $77K get you in Pennsylvania?
About special education teachers, middle schools
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What this looks like in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, middle school, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $67K. Rent runs $1,351/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.97 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 5% 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, Pennsylvania
Entry-level special education teachers, middle schools (10th percentile) start around $52K. Mid-career wages sit at $77K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $54K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by metro in Pennsylvania
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $81K | +5% | 250 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $79K | +2% | 2,780 |
| Lancaster | $79K | +2% | 90 |
| Chambersburg | $75K | -2% | 40 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $75K | -2% | 130 |
| Pittsburgh | $75K | -3% | 740 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $64K | -16% | 180 |
| York-Hanover | $63K | -19% | 170 |
| Erie | $59K | -23% | 150 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Pennsylvania numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, middle school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Pennsylvania?
Yes — at the median salary of $77K, rent takes 26.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,351/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, middle schools in Pennsylvania?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, middle schools typically earn — is $52K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,138/month. At HUD’s $1,351/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 Pennsylvania?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $77K here vs. $67K nationally.
How does Pennsylvania compare to the national average for special education teachers, middle schools?
Pennsylvania pays $77K median vs. the U.S. average of $67K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $81K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, middle schools make in Pennsylvania?
The median is $77,040 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $52,300, and experienced special education teachers, middle schools can clear $106,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $77K enough to live in Pennsylvania?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,018/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,351/month, which eats 26.9% 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 Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has a Regional Price Parity of 94.97 (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 $81,120 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.