Special Education Teachers, Secondary School Salary
The median pay for a special education teachers, secondary school in Rhode Island is $92,990/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $100K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 101.77), that's roughly $91,373 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,544/month, or 26.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Rhode Island. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $93K get you in Rhode Island?
About special education teachers, secondary schools
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What this looks like in Rhode Island
Rhode Island sits well above the national pay line for special education teachers, secondary school, local pay runs about 25% higher than the U.S. median of $74K. Rent runs $1,544/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 101.77) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rhode Island
Entry-level special education teachers, secondary schools (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $93K. Top earners bring in $100K or more, a $53K spread from bottom to top.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary by metro in Rhode Island
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | $92K | -1% | 1,140 |
Compare to other states
Track special education teachers, secondary school salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rhode Island numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a special education teachers, secondary school afford a 2BR apartment alone in Rhode Island?
Yes — at the median salary of $93K, rent takes 26.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,544/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for special education teachers, secondary schools in Rhode Island?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new special education teachers, secondary schools typically earn — is $47K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,795/month. At HUD’s $1,544/month FMR, rent would take 55% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is special education teachers, secondary school a high-paying job in Rhode Island?
Local pay is 25% above the national median — $93K here vs. $74K nationally.
How does Rhode Island compare to the national average for special education teachers, secondary schools?
Rhode Island pays $93K median vs. the U.S. average of $74K — that’s +25%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 101.77), the purchasing-power equivalent is $91K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do special education teachers, secondary schools make in Rhode Island?
The median is $92,990 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,580, and experienced special education teachers, secondary schools can clear $99,900. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $93K enough to live in Rhode Island?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,883/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,544/month, which eats 26.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a special education teachers, secondary school salary go in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a Regional Price Parity of 101.77 (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, secondary school salary is worth about $91,373 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.