SOC 25-2051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Special Education Teachers, Preschool — Joplin
Joplin, MO-KS · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay in Joplin, MO is $47,540 a year, 26.7% under the national median of $64,830 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Joplin, MO is $47,540 a year, 26.7% under the national median of $64,830 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $47,540 and $75,920. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,420 and the ninetieth at $108,020.
Kansas City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $119,560. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 161st of 283 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,420 | −28.4% |
| 25th | $47,540 | −26.7% |
| Median (50th) | $47,540 | −26.7% |
| 75th | $75,920 | +17.1% |
| 90th | $108,020 | +66.6% |
| Mean | $62,260 | −4.0% |
Other metro areas in Missouri
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $119,560 | 380 | |
| 2 | St. Louis | $50,920 | 400 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Joplin run 9.2% below the national average, so the median of $47,540 goes as far as $52,357 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,357US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,540 a year, 26.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,420 to $108,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kansas City, at $119,560.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Special Education Teachers, Preschool in Joplin, MO?
The median annual wage is $47,540, 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 $64,830, so pay in Joplin, MO is 26.7% 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 Joplin, MO earns more than $108,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,420 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 Kansas City, at $119,560 per year.
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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