Special Education Teachers, Middle School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, middle school in Rhode Island is $93,970/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.77), that's roughly $92,336 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,544/month, or 26.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Rhode Island. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $94K get you in Rhode Island?
About special education teachers, middle schools
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What this looks like in Rhode Island
Rhode Island sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, middle school, local pay runs about 41% higher than the U.S. median of $67K. Rent runs $1,544/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 101.77) 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, Rhode Island
Entry-level special education teachers, middle schools (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $94K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Middle School salary by metro in Rhode Island
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | $92K | -2% | 670 |
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rhode Island numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, middle school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Rhode Island?
Yes — at the median salary of $94K, rent takes 26% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,544/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, middle schools in Rhode Island?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, middle schools typically earn — is $49K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,930/month. At HUD’s $1,544/month FMR, rent would take 53% 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 Rhode Island?
Local pay is 41% above the national median — $94K here vs. $67K nationally.
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average for special education teachers, middle schools?
Rhode Island pays $94K median vs. the U.S. average of $67K — that’s +41%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 101.77), the purchasing-power equivalent is $92K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, middle schools make in Rhode Island?
The median is $93,970 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,830, and experienced special education teachers, middle schools can clear $97,450. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $94K enough to live in Rhode Island?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,937/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,544/month, which eats 26% 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 Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a Regional Price Parity of 101.77 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special education teachers, middle school salary is worth about $92,336 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.