SOC 25-2052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — Waterloo
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in Waterloo, IA is $59,500 per year, 8.6% below the national median of $65,120.
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 Waterloo, IA is $59,500 per year, 8.6% below the national median of $65,120. Half of workers earn between $48,010 and $64,060. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $47,490 and the ninetieth at $73,220.
Employment stands at 180, or 2.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Ames records the highest median at $63,480. Of the 309 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 137th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,490 | −27.1% |
| 25th | $48,010 | −26.3% |
| Median (50th) | $59,500 | −8.6% |
| 75th | $64,060 | −1.6% |
| 90th | $73,220 | +12.4% |
| Mean | $57,940 | −11.0% |
Other 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 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Waterloo run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $59,500 goes as far as $67,768 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,500as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,768US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,500 a year, 8.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,490 to $73,220 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in 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 Waterloo, IA?
The median annual wage is $59,500, 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 Waterloo, IA is 8.6% 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 Waterloo, IA earns more than $73,220 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 180 jobs in this occupation in Waterloo, IA. 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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