Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Indiana is $48,680/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $77K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.81), which stretches that salary to about $53,023 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,144/month, about 33.8% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Indiana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $49K get you in Indiana?
About special education teachers, preschools
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Indiana
Pay for special education teachers, preschool in Indiana runs about 25% below the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,144/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 34.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.81 (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, Indiana
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $77K or more, a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary by metro in Indiana
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | $47K | -4% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, preschool salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Indiana numbers change.
Related careers in Education
Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, preschool afford a 2BR apartment alone in Indiana?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $49K, rent takes 34.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,144/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/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 Indiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, preschools typically earn — is $36K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,137/month. At HUD’s $1,144/month FMR, rent would take 54% 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 Indiana?
Local pay runs 25% below the national median — $49K here vs. $65K nationally. Cost of living is 8% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Indiana compare to the national average for special education teachers, preschools?
Indiana pays $49K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s -25%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.81), the purchasing-power equivalent is $53K — below the national median.
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Indiana?
The median is $48,680 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $35,620, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $76,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Indiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,306/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,144/month, which eats 34.6% 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 Indiana?
Indiana has a Regional Price Parity of 91.81 (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 $53,023 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.