Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary in Topeka, KS
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Topeka, KS is $48,800/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $58K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.82), which stretches that salary to about $54,943 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,057/month — about 31.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $49K get you in Topeka?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Topeka’s Regional Price Parity (88.82). 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, Topeka, KS
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $58K or more, a $9K 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 Topeka numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Topeka, KS?
The median is $48,800 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,800, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $57,720. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in Topeka?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,260/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,057/month, which eats 32.4% 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 Topeka?
Topeka has a Regional Price Parity of 88.82 (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 $54,943 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.