SOC 25-2052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — Southeast Missouri
Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay in Southeast Missouri, MO is $47,370 a year, 27.3% under the national median of $65,120 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Southeast Missouri, MO is $47,370 a year, 27.3% under the national median of $65,120 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $42,750 and $59,480. The lowest tenth earn under $39,990, while the highest tenth earn more than $70,340.
The area has 160 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.60 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, St. Louis records the highest median at $63,190. Of the 344 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 165th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,990 | −38.6% |
| 25th | $42,750 | −34.4% |
| Median (50th) | $47,370 | −27.3% |
| 75th | $59,480 | −8.7% |
| 90th | $70,340 | +8.0% |
| Mean | $51,720 | −20.6% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $63,190 | 1,380 | |
| 2 | Kansas City | $59,970 | 1,550 | |
| 3 | St. Joseph | $51,490 | 40 | |
| 4 | Joplin | $49,210 | 100 | |
| 5 | Springfield | $48,970 | 180 | |
| 6 | Jefferson City | $46,230 | 50 | |
| 7 | Columbia | $46,120 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southeast Missouri run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $47,370 goes as far as $52,170 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,170US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,370 a year, 27.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,990 to $70,340 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is St. Louis, at $63,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Southeast Missouri, MO?
The median annual wage is $47,370, 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 Southeast Missouri, MO is 27.3% 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 Southeast Missouri, MO earns more than $70,340 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,990 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 St. Louis, at $63,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 160 jobs in this occupation in Southeast Missouri, MO. 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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