Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary in Columbia, MO
The median pay for a special education teachers, secondary school in Columbia, MO is $50,260/year ($null/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $71K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.44), which stretches that salary to about $56,194 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,160/month — about 35.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $50K get you in Columbia?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Columbia’s Regional Price Parity (89.44). 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, secondary schools
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, MO
Entry-level special education teachers, secondary schools (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $71K or more, a $30K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $101K | +45% | 12,190 |
| Washington | $98K | +41% | 2,470 |
| District of Columbia | $97K | +39% | 470 |
| New York | $92K | +32% | 17,030 |
| Rhode Island | $89K | +29% | 750 |
| Massachusetts | $83K | +19% | 4,050 |
| New Jersey | $80K | +15% | 7,700 |
| Maryland | $79K | +14% | 2,450 |
| Oregon | $79K | +13% | 960 |
| Alaska | $79K | +13% | 470 |
| Connecticut | $77K | +11% | 2,040 |
| Illinois | $77K | +11% | 8,890 |
| Delaware | $76K | +9% | 1,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $75K | +8% | 10,090 |
| Ohio | $74K | +7% | 10,570 |
| New Mexico | $72K | +3% | 1,610 |
| Vermont | $72K | +3% | 780 |
| Michigan | $71K | +2% | 2,310 |
| Minnesota | $71K | +2% | 4,720 |
| Georgia | $71K | +2% | 4,180 |
| Virginia | $65K | -7% | 6,040 |
| Nevada | $64K | -8% | 320 |
| New Hampshire | $63K | -10% | 1,090 |
| Texas | $63K | -10% | 10,490 |
| Nebraska | $63K | -10% | 1,210 |
| Wyoming | $63K | -10% | 400 |
| Arizona | $62K | -11% | 2,290 |
| South Carolina | $62K | -11% | 1,650 |
| North Dakota | $62K | -12% | 450 |
| Wisconsin | $62K | -12% | 2,850 |
| Montana | $61K | -12% | 460 |
| Florida | $61K | -13% | 8,250 |
| Maine | $60K | -13% | 920 |
| Alabama | $60K | -14% | 680 |
| Utah | $60K | -14% | 1,370 |
| Indiana | $60K | -14% | 2,570 |
| Kansas | $60K | -14% | 1,650 |
| Iowa | $59K | -16% | 2,100 |
| Hawaii | $59K | -16% | 880 |
| Tennessee | $59K | -16% | 1,990 |
| Kentucky | $58K | -16% | 2,350 |
| Louisiana | $58K | -16% | 3,050 |
| West Virginia | $56K | -20% | 810 |
| North Carolina | $55K | -21% | 4,010 |
| Arkansas | $53K | -23% | 1,440 |
| Missouri | $51K | -26% | 2,170 |
| Oklahoma | $50K | -28% | 1,560 |
| Mississippi | $50K | -28% | 1,590 |
| South Dakota | $50K | -28% | 530 |
| Idaho | $48K | -31% | 280 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track special education teachers, secondary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do special education teachers, secondary schools make in Columbia, MO?
The median is $50,260 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,210, and experienced special education teachers, secondary schools can clear $70,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,402/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,160/month, which eats 34.1% 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, secondary school salary go in Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.44 (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, secondary school salary is worth about $56,194 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do special education teachers, secondary schools 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.