Special Education Teachers, Preschool Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, preschool in Wisconsin is $60,870/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $82K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 94.33), which stretches that salary to about $64,529 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,202/month, about 30.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Wisconsin. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $61K get you in Wisconsin?
About special education teachers, preschools
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What this looks like in Wisconsin
Special education teachers, preschool pay in Wisconsin tracks closely to the national median, $61K locally vs. $65K nationwide, a 6% difference. Rent runs $1,202/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 94.33 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 6% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Wisconsin
Entry-level special education teachers, preschools (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K. Top earners bring in $82K or more, a $36K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Preschool salary by metro in Wisconsin
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | $61K | +1% | 40 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | $58K | -4% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, preschool salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Wisconsin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, preschool afford a 2BR apartment alone in Wisconsin?
Yes — at the median salary of $61K, rent takes 29.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,202/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, preschools in Wisconsin?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, preschools typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,795/month. At HUD’s $1,202/month FMR, rent would take 43% 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 Wisconsin?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $61K locally vs. $65K nationally, a 6% difference.
How does Wisconsin compare to the national average for special education teachers, preschools?
Wisconsin pays $61K median vs. the U.S. average of $65K — that’s -6%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 94.33), the purchasing-power equivalent is $65K — below the national median.
How much do special education teachers, preschools make in Wisconsin?
The median is $60,870 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,580, and experienced special education teachers, preschools can clear $82,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Wisconsin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,064/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,202/month, which eats 29.6% 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 Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has a Regional Price Parity of 94.33 (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 $64,529 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.