Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN is $58,440/year ($null/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $99K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $56,415 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 46.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $58K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Chicago-Naperville-Elgin’s Regional Price Parity (103.59). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About special education teachers, preschools
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $99K or more, a $59K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $130K | +109% | 4,460 |
| New Jersey | $87K | +39% | 1,830 |
| Massachusetts | $83K | +33% | 680 |
| Washington | $80K | +29% | 880 |
| Georgia | $78K | +26% | 650 |
| Alaska | $77K | +24% | 140 |
| Michigan | $74K | +18% | 300 |
| Vermont | $70K | +13% | 70 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +7% | 1,130 |
| Virginia | $65K | +4% | 580 |
| Rhode Island | $64K | +3% | 210 |
| New Mexico | $64K | +3% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $64K | +3% | 80 |
| Connecticut | $64K | +2% | 340 |
| North Dakota | $63K | +1% | 90 |
| Ohio | $63K | +1% | 1,130 |
| Oregon | $62K | -1% | 40 |
| Texas | $61K | -2% | 1,630 |
| Tennessee | $61K | -2% | 200 |
| Arizona | $61K | -2% | 320 |
| Illinois | $60K | -3% | 1,030 |
| Kentucky | $60K | -4% | 70 |
| South Carolina | $58K | -7% | 230 |
| Kansas | $57K | -8% | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $57K | -8% | 420 |
| Utah | $56K | -10% | 150 |
| California | $56K | -10% | 3,440 |
| New Hampshire | $55K | -11% | 60 |
| North Carolina | $54K | -13% | 610 |
| Indiana | $54K | -13% | 180 |
| Louisiana | $53K | -15% | 810 |
| Wyoming | $50K | -19% | 110 |
| Florida | $50K | -20% | 2,190 |
| Missouri | $49K | -21% | 1,110 |
| Mississippi | $49K | -22% | 150 |
| West Virginia | $48K | -23% | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $48K | -23% | 110 |
| Arkansas | $35K | -43% | 400 |
| Iowa | $34K | -45% | 200 |
Showing 1–10 of 39 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track special education teachers, preschool salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $58,440 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,610, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $99,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,842/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month, which eats 46.4% 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, preschool salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (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, preschool salary is worth about $56,415 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, preschools 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.