Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Georgia is $72,310/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $98K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.89), which stretches that salary to about $78,692 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,434/month, about 30.2% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Georgia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $72K get you in Georgia?
About special education teachers, preschools
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What this looks like in Georgia
Georgia sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, preschool, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,434/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 30.9% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% 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, Georgia
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K. Top earners bring in $98K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary by metro in Georgia
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | $78K | +8% | 140 |
| Savannah | $64K | -11% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, preschool salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Georgia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, preschool afford a 2BR apartment alone in Georgia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $72K, rent takes 30.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,434/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,400/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 Georgia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, preschools typically earn — is $50K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,979/month. At HUD’s $1,434/month FMR, rent would take 48% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is special education teachers, preschool a high-paying job in Georgia?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $72K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Georgia compare to the national average for special education teachers, preschools?
Georgia pays $72K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $79K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Georgia?
The median is $72,310 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,650, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $98,450. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in Georgia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,645/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,434/month, which eats 30.9% 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 Georgia?
Georgia has a Regional Price Parity of 91.89 (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, preschool salary is worth about $78,692 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.