Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Rockford, IL is $78,600/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $58K at the entry level to $91K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 92.15), which stretches that salary to about $85,296 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,175/month, or 22.8% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $79K get you in Rockford?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Rockford’s Regional Price Parity (92.15). 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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What this looks like in Rockford
Rockford sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, preschool, local pay runs about 21% higher than the U.S. median of $65K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,175/month, 23.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 92.15 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 8% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Combined with manageable housing costs, Rockford offers a genuinely strong financial position for special education teachers, preschools at the median.
Compared to nearby metros
Median pay for special education teachers, preschools in metros near Rockford, adjusted for local cost of living.
| Metro | Median pay | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $62K | $60K |
| Joplin | $48K | $55K |
| St. Louis | $51K | $54K |
| Kansas City | $120K | $129K |
COL-adjusted = median salary ÷ (BEA Regional Price Parity ÷ 100). Expresses purchasing power in national-average dollars.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rockford, IL
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $58K. Mid-career wages sit at $79K. Top earners bring in $91K or more, a $34K 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 Rockford numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, preschool afford a 2BR apartment alone in Rockford?
Yes — at the median salary of $79K, rent takes 23.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,175/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, preschools in Rockford?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, preschools typically earn — is $58K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $3,473/month. At HUD’s $1,175/month FMR, rent would take 34% 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 Rockford?
Local pay is 21% above the national median — $79K here vs. $65K nationally.
How does Rockford compare to the national average for special education teachers, preschools?
Rockford pays $79K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s +21%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 92.15), the purchasing-power equivalent is $85K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Rockford, IL?
The median is $78,600 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $57,880, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $91,390. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $79K enough to live in Rockford?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,983/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,175/month, which eats 23.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a special education teachers, preschool salary go in Rockford?
Rockford has a Regional Price Parity of 92.15 (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 $85,296 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.