Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $78,630/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $56K at the entry level to $115K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.55), that's roughly $76,675 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,810/month — about 34.4% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $79K get you in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington’s Regional Price Parity (102.55). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About special education teachers, preschools
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $56K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $115K or more, a $59K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $130K | +109% | 4,460 |
| New Jersey | $87K | +39% | 1,830 |
| Massachusetts | $83K | +33% | 680 |
| Washington | $80K | +29% | 880 |
| Georgia | $78K | +26% | 650 |
| Alaska | $77K | +24% | 140 |
| Michigan | $74K | +18% | 300 |
| Vermont | $70K | +13% | 70 |
| Minnesota | $67K | +7% | 1,130 |
| Virginia | $65K | +4% | 580 |
| Rhode Island | $64K | +3% | 210 |
| New Mexico | $64K | +3% | N/A |
| Nebraska | $64K | +3% | 80 |
| Connecticut | $64K | +2% | 340 |
| North Dakota | $63K | +1% | 90 |
| Ohio | $63K | +1% | 1,130 |
| Oregon | $62K | -1% | 40 |
| Texas | $61K | -2% | 1,630 |
| Tennessee | $61K | -2% | 200 |
| Arizona | $61K | -2% | 320 |
| Illinois | $60K | -3% | 1,030 |
| Kentucky | $60K | -4% | 70 |
| South Carolina | $58K | -7% | 230 |
| Kansas | $57K | -8% | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $57K | -8% | 420 |
| Utah | $56K | -10% | 150 |
| California | $56K | -10% | 3,440 |
| New Hampshire | $55K | -11% | 60 |
| North Carolina | $54K | -13% | 610 |
| Indiana | $54K | -13% | 180 |
| Louisiana | $53K | -15% | 810 |
| Wyoming | $50K | -19% | 110 |
| Florida | $50K | -20% | 2,190 |
| Missouri | $49K | -21% | 1,110 |
| Mississippi | $49K | -22% | 150 |
| West Virginia | $48K | -23% | 50 |
| Oklahoma | $48K | -23% | 110 |
| Arkansas | $35K | -43% | 400 |
| Iowa | $34K | -45% | 200 |
Showing 1–10 of 39 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD?
The median is $78,630 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $56,350, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $115,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,107/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,810/month, which eats 35.4% 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 Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington?
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.55 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median special education teachers, preschool salary is worth about $76,675 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.