Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Louisiana is $56,890/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $61K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.28), which stretches that salary to about $65,181 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,191/month, about 31.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Louisiana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $57K get you in Louisiana?
About special education teachers, preschools
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What this looks like in Louisiana
Pay for special education teachers, preschool in Louisiana runs about 12% below the U.S. median of $65K. Rent runs $1,191/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.1% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.28 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 13% 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, Louisiana
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K. Top earners bring in $61K or more, a $23K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary by metro in Louisiana
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | $59K | +4% | 170 |
| Monroe | $57K | +0% | 180 |
| Baton Rouge | $57K | -0% | 170 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, preschool salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Louisiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, preschool afford a 2BR apartment alone in Louisiana?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $57K, rent takes 31.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,191/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,100/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 Louisiana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, preschools typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,265/month. At HUD’s $1,191/month FMR, rent would take 53% 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 Louisiana?
Local pay runs 12% below the national median — $57K here vs. $65K nationally. Cost of living is 13% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Louisiana compare to the national average for special education teachers, preschools?
Louisiana pays $57K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s -12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.28), the purchasing-power equivalent is $65K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Louisiana?
The median is $56,890 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,750, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $61,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in Louisiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,826/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,191/month, which eats 31.1% 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana has a Regional Price Parity of 87.28 (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 $65,181 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.