Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $80,950/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $62K at the entry level to $103K for experienced workers.
So what does $81K get you in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
About special education teachers, preschools
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Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for special education teachers, preschools in metros near Denver-Aurora-Centennial, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs | $61K | , |
| Boulder | $80K | , |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $62K | , |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi | $55K | $56K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $62K. Mid-career wages sit at $81K. Top earners bring in $103K or more, a $40K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
View Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary in all states
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $99K | +53% | 710 |
| New Jersey | $92K | +42% | 1,720 |
| Connecticut | $88K | +36% | 380 |
| Washington | $87K | +34% | 820 |
| Maryland | $85K | +31% | 70 |
| Pennsylvania | $84K | +29% | 490 |
| Alaska | $80K | +24% | 110 |
| Vermont | $79K | +22% | 70 |
| Colorado | $78K | +20% | 810 |
| Virginia | $78K | +20% | 650 |
| Oregon | $77K | +20% | 400 |
| Minnesota | $76K | +17% | 1,250 |
| Michigan | $76K | +17% | 430 |
| Hawaii | $75K | +16% | 230 |
| Georgia | $72K | +12% | 380 |
| New York | $68K | +5% | 6,220 |
| New Mexico | $66K | +2% | 270 |
| Texas | $66K | +1% | 2,010 |
| Iowa | $64K | -2% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $63K | -3% | 80 |
| Illinois | $63K | -3% | 1,080 |
| Missouri | $62K | -4% | 940 |
| New Hampshire | $62K | -5% | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $61K | -6% | 240 |
| Ohio | $61K | -6% | 1,150 |
| Maine | $61K | -6% | 40 |
| North Carolina | $60K | -7% | 640 |
| Arizona | $60K | -7% | 330 |
| North Dakota | $60K | -7% | 50 |
| South Carolina | $60K | -8% | 170 |
| California | $60K | -8% | 2,510 |
| Tennessee | $60K | -8% | 330 |
| Rhode Island | $59K | -9% | 120 |
| Delaware | $59K | -9% | 100 |
| Kansas | $59K | -9% | 350 |
| Florida | $58K | -10% | 1,370 |
| Utah | $58K | -10% | 110 |
| Louisiana | $57K | -12% | 960 |
| Kentucky | $54K | -16% | N/A |
| Mississippi | $52K | -19% | 110 |
| Wyoming | $52K | -20% | 80 |
| Oklahoma | $50K | -23% | 60 |
| Idaho | $50K | -23% | 180 |
| Indiana | $49K | -25% | 380 |
| Arkansas | $36K | -45% | 510 |
Showing 1–10 of 45 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, preschool afford a 2BR apartment alone in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $81K, rent takes 39.7% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,044/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,500/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, preschools in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, preschools typically earn — is $62K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,749/month.
Is special education teachers, preschool a high-paying job in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Local pay is 25% above the national median — $81K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Denver-Aurora-Centennial compare to the national average for special education teachers, preschools?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial pays $81K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +25%.
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median is $80,950 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $62,490, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $102,630. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $81K enough to live in Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,148/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,044/month, which eats 39.7% 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial?
Denver-Aurora-Centennial 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 $80,950 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.