SOC 25-2052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — Colorado
Colorado · 7 metro areas compared
In Colorado the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School is $74,290 a year, which is 14.1% higher than the national figure of $65,120.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Colorado the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School is $74,290 a year, which is 14.1% higher than the national figure of $65,120. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $61,420 and $81,900. The lowest tenth earn under $50,700, while the highest tenth earn more than $98,480.
The area has 4,010 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.4 of every thousand jobs. Colorado ranks number 15th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Boulder records the highest median at $80,920. Of the 738 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 282nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,700 | −22.1% |
| 25th | $61,420 | −5.7% |
| Median (50th) | $74,290 | +14.1% |
| 75th | $81,900 | +25.8% |
| 90th | $98,480 | +51.2% |
| Mean | $73,510 | +12.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $80,920 | 280 | |
| 2 | Denver | $79,310 | 2,110 | |
| 3 | Grand Junction | $64,540 | 90 | |
| 4 | Greeley | $63,150 | 140 | |
| 5 | Pueblo | $63,010 | 120 | |
| 6 | Fort Collins | $61,420 | 170 | |
| 7 | Colorado Springs | $60,900 | 560 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $74,290 buys what $72,056 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$74,290as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,056US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $74,290 a year, 14.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,700 to $98,480 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,010 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 15th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boulder, at $80,920.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Colorado?
The median annual wage is $74,290, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $65,120, so pay in Colorado is 14.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Colorado earns more than $98,480 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,700 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Boulder, at $80,920 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,010 jobs in this occupation in Colorado. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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