SOC 25-2052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — Iowa
Iowa · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Iowa is $60,440 per year, close to the national median of $65,120 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Iowa is $60,440 per year, close to the national median of $65,120 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $49,210 and $66,580. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $47,490 and the ninetieth at $77,260.
The area has 2,560 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.6 of every thousand jobs. Iowa ranks number 36th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Ames records the highest median at $63,480. Of the 711 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 326th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,490 | −27.1% |
| 25th | $49,210 | −24.4% |
| Median (50th) | $60,440 | −7.2% |
| 75th | $66,580 | +2.2% |
| 90th | $77,260 | +18.6% |
| Mean | $59,940 | −8.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ames | $63,480 | 70 | |
| 2 | Iowa City | $61,440 | 120 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $61,240 | 320 | |
| 4 | Sioux City | $60,570 | 170 | |
| 5 | Dubuque | $60,470 | 90 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $60,160 | 190 | |
| 7 | Des Moines | $59,780 | 490 | |
| 8 | Waterloo | $59,500 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $60,440 goes as far as $68,838 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$68,838US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,440 a year, 7.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,490 to $77,260 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,560 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 36th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ames, at $63,480.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Iowa?
The median annual wage is $60,440, 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 Iowa is 7.2% lower. 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 Iowa earns more than $77,260 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,490 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 Ames, at $63,480 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,560 jobs in this occupation in Iowa. 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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