Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Colorado is $78,040/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $54K at the entry level to $103K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Colorado. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $78K get you in Colorado?
About special education teachers, preschools
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Colorado
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $54K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K. Top earners bring in $103K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary by metro in Colorado
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $81K | +4% | 350 |
| Boulder | $80K | +3% | 90 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $62K | -21% | 90 |
| Colorado Springs | $61K | -21% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, preschool salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Colorado numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, preschool afford a 2BR apartment alone in Colorado?
Yes — at the median salary of $78K, rent takes 23.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,187/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, preschools in Colorado?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, preschools typically earn — is $54K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,252/month.
Is special education teachers, preschool a high-paying job in Colorado?
Local pay is 20% above the national median — $78K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for special education teachers, preschools?
Colorado pays $78K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +20%.
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Colorado?
The median is $78,040 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,200, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $102,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in Colorado?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,988/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,187/month, which eats 23.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a special education teachers, preschool salary go in Colorado?
Colorado has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special education teachers, preschool salary is worth about $78,040 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.